The Motor Report Auto News Blog

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has reached a new milestone this year, its 5th anniversary of production, which is as good a reason as any to put together a commemorative model to celebrate the occasion.

With ‘big’ releases being a little thin on the ground at this year’s Sydney International Motor Show, it is with a hint of a grin that we can tell you FPV will be unveiling the ’special’ next month at AIMS.

In the great tradition of yet to be unveiled performance specials, FPV General Manager, Rod Barrett was coy on revealing too many details, but promised FPV enthusiasts that this vehicle would be a great collector’s vehicle, following on from last year’s 40th Anniversary GT and Cobra. Let’s hope they’ve made it more special than the Cobra and given it some real grunt.

FPV will tell you that their heritage can be traced back to the “golden years of Australian motorsport when the GT legend was born…” but we are content with (and grateful for) the last five, that have culminated in the current F6 and GT missiles - a couple of TMR favourites.

“FPV has established itself in the Australian performance market in such a short time,” said Rod Barrett.

“When we first launched FPV the brand revolved around the iconic status of the GT, now FPV has grown in only five short years to include two families - the GT and the F6, available in sedan, Ute and SUV models.”

Today, FPV is part of the UK-based Prodrive group, following Prodrive’s purchase of the Tickford group of companies. It has since grown into one of the larger performance brands that calls Australia home.

“The vehicle we’re launching at the Australian International Motor Show will be representative of the five years since the first FPV came down the line, it’s a limited edition model and sure to be a winner with our enthusiasts,” said Barrett.

“There has been much speculation about where FPV will head next, the GT HO is always on the radar, however, it would depend on whether a business case could be achieved and whether there would be market demand when we are ready to release it,” added Barrett.

Barrett still remains coy on FPV’s possible move into the small car market, preferring to state that any decision on that front will be made when the Focus begins local production in 2011. We suspect that in the current climate, it’s really a no-brainer for the FPV guys, and that a range of FPV small cars will become a reality in the coming years.

Be sure to check back with us on the 9th of October as we cover the Sydney Show and bring you pics and info on the FPV Anniversary Special.