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2011 FPV GS and GT – Details Of Supercharged Miami V8 Revealed

FPV MIAMI V8

Ford Performance Vehicles has announced its all-new replacement for the long-serving 5.4 litre Boss V8 – the supercharged 5.0 litre “Miami” V8.

Based on the Coyote V8 used by the current-generation Ford Mustang, the Mia


FPV MIAMI V8

Ford Performance Vehicles has announced its all-new replacement for the long-serving 5.4 litre Boss V8 - the supercharged 5.0 litre “Miami” V8.

Based on the Coyote V8 used by the current-generation Ford Mustang, the Miami will be available in two guises in FPV’s model range.

The GS sedan and ute get a low-output engine (coded V2X) with 315kW and 545Nm, while the range-topping GT enjoys a full-blooded 335kW and 570Nm from its V2G motor.

Both engines are almost identical mechanically, with ECU tuning accounting for the difference in output.

Those numbers compare very favourably with the current GS and GT, which put out 302kW and 315kW respectively. Not only that, but the GT’s 335kW eclipses the 325kW output of HSV’s flagship GTS by an appreciable margin.

The move to supercharging has also allowed FPV to improve torque, even though engine displacement has dropped by 400cc. Maximum torque is now delivered much lower in the rev range too, with peak twist coming online at just 2000rpm for the GS and 2200rpm for the GT.

FPV remained mum on performance figures at this week’s media preview of the Miami engine, but suggested that 0-100km/h acceleration times would be on par with some Aston Martin and Maserati V8s. With that in mind, sub 5-second times may not be out of the question.

Perhaps more crucially, pricing for the new FPV V8 range will give it added competitiveness in the showroom.

Prodrive’s Managing Director Bryan Mears (right) says the entry-level FPV GS will cost somewhere in the vicinity of $55,000, while the GT will retail for just under $70,000.

That gives the GS an edge over the cheapest HSV, the GXP, which retails for $59,990. The gap between the FPV GT and the HSV GTS is even more marked, with the latter costing $80,990 before on-roads.

Fuel economy is slightly improved too, with the GS and GT manual sedans drinking 13.6 l/100km. Automatic sedans use 0.1 l/100km more, while the manual GS ute consumes an average of 14.0 l/100km.

However, you’ll be hard pressed to notice the new mechanical package from the outside. FPV is holding off on a major external revamp for now, with the improved powertrain expected to draw customers into showrooms instead.

The 2011 FPV GS and GT will be unveiled at Bathurst on October 7 and go on sale nationally on October 25.

The Miami V8 in detail

Although it will continue to be marketed under the “Boss” moniker, the new 5.0 V8 is known internally within FPV as Miami. The culmination of a three-year development programme that cost FPV $40 million, the Miami engine is a heavily localized development of the 5.0 litre Coyote V8.

The recent introduction of Euro IV emissions standards for the Australian car market forced FPV to look at an all-new replacement for the Boss 5.4, with a re-engineered version of the iron-block 5.4 litre deemed too expensive to develop.

After examining (then Ford-owned) Jaguar’s AJV8 and some larger-capacity low-tech V8s available in the US market, FPV eventually settled on the Mustang’s Coyote V8 as a starting point for its new engine.

A twin-turbocharged V8 was considered by FPV, but was deemed too complex and lacked the instant response of a supercharged motor.

Most components for the Miami engines are imported to Australia, where they are then hand-assembled at FPV’s production facility in Cambellfield, Victoria.

A significant portion of parts are sourced locally though, with components like the Harrop supercharger, crankshaft damper, accessory drive, sump, exhaust manifolds and intake manifold all coming from Australian suppliers.

All up, between 35 and 40 percent of the Miami’s components are locally-supplied.

The Miami engine features some critical differences with the Coyote V8, namely unique camshaft profiles, Miami-specific pistons and conrods, inconel exhaust valves, special balancing of internal components and, of course, that supercharger.

The Miami’s supercharger is built in Victoria by Harrop, and uses the same Eaton TVS rotors as the Jaguar XF-R and Cadillac CTS-V. The inherent efficienct of the Eaton rotors mean the Miami does not need an intercooler, although one could be used in future high-output variants.

A bypass valve further improves efficiency during cruising, resulting in the supercharger soaking up less than 3kW in sedate driving.

With a shorter deck height, the Miami V8 fits into the GS and GT’s engine bay easily. There are further benefits too. Thanks to its all-alloy block, the Miami engine – plus all of its ancillaries – is some 47kg lighter than the Boss 5.4, delivering noticeable benefits in weight distribution.

Weight distribution and overall mass of the GT is said to be very similar to the 1822kg F6 E.

Further improvements have been made to other areas of the car. The open-filter cold air induction system provides improved flow of air to the supercharger, and the active exhaust on sedan models allows noise levels to be quiet during relaxed motoring and raucous when the taps are opened wide.

Cooling capacity has been upgraded for 2011, with bigger radiators, engine oil coolers and transmission coolers all being added to the GT and GS. With many owners choosing to track their FPVs, the company is confident that the new cooling system will be able to handle a great deal of on-track abuse.

The clutch is a new twin-plate item that’s shared with the Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang GT500 and Corvette ZR1, while the TR6060 manual transmission is also used by those models.

The six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic gets upgrades to its clutch pack and gearset to improve torque capacity. The final drive, too, has been upgraded to handle more torque, although its ratio remains unchanged.

Tyre and brake sizing remains unchanged, however changes to the stability and traction control calibration should help improve grip.

FPV’s $40 million investment in the Miami engine doesn’t end here. A high-output engine is waiting in the wings, and is expected to make ample use of the new beefed-up drivetrain.

The company is also actively chasing exports for its supercharged bent-eight, and preliminary discussions with automakers have already taken place.

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