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New FPV boss hints at a bright future

While the HSV marketing machine seems to be in a state of permanent overdrive there has been little to be heard from FPV in recent months. The big news of 2007 was the Prodrive broom sweeping aside six senior executives including the General Manager at th


While the HSV marketing machine seems to be in a state of permanent overdrive there has been little to be heard from FPV in recent months. The big news of 2007 was the Prodrive broom sweeping aside six senior executives including the General Manager at the time, Sak Ryopponen…an unfortunate first name given that Sak was given the sack.

But lets not dwell on the past and the behind the scenes machinations. What I am really interested in are the FPV models in the pipeline. I am predicting a big year for FPV in 2008, when the Falcon Orion based models finally arrive in showrooms.

GoAuto interviewed FPV’s new General Manager, Rod Barrett earlier this week and he has let a few little kitties out of the bag.

• The return of the Falcon GTHO. Now, the cynical amongst us will note that the return of this legendary badge seems to be an annual rumour, whispered in dark corridors by Ford aficionados hoping for a modern day

return of the King. Let’s hope that FPV can do the original legend proud.

• FPV’s Falcon Orion based models will be launched within a month of the standard Ford product.

• Two new FPV models will be launched at this years Australian International Motor Show in October. Most likely the new FPV Territory and a mystery car called “Cobra” .

• Four and five cylinder FPV models will be a reality in the future.

It seems a little odd perhaps to be introducing new models based on the current platform but FPV will debut the first of its limited-edition models this Friday. Dubbed the R-spec F6 Typhoon, it will be followed in October by the Cobra, a 302Kw celebration of Ford’s famous 1-2 finish at Bathurst in 1977. Nothing like a few limited editions to keep an old model dancing for a few more months.

We will be at the Sydney Motor Show this year and will bring you all the glamour snaps from the FPV stand. In the meantime if you want to read about the daytime soap opera that has been playing out between Ford and FPV since the Prodrive sackings you can check out the comprehensive article over at GoAuto.

Steane

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