FPV announce 'Final' GT

While unlikely to be the fire-breathing GTHO tribute that many enthusiasts have been clamouring for ever since the 'GT' badge was revived, the GT RSPEC-based GT F will still be potent, expected to produce more than the current GT's 335kW.

351kW, and even more, has been rumoured for the last locally-made performance Ford, but FPV aren't revealing all the specs until closer to the launch, which is expected to be in the final quarter, 2014. Quoted price for the upcoming model is $77,990 (excluding all ORCs).

Limited Edition
Regardless of output, the GT F will be limited - to just 550 units (500 for Australia, 50 for New Zealand). Alongside the GT F, a refreshed FPV V8 Pursuit ute will also be released, likewise limited to just 120 units.

"Developing this FPV sedan and ute has been a project of passion, a combined effort by many dedicated and passionate Ford engineering staff and suppliers to produce a model that celebrates the FPV brand for our customers and fans," Bob Graziano, President and CEO of Ford Australia.

"The entire team has worked tirelessly to develop a GT that will forever pay homage to the FPV brand and celebrate its iconic status among enthusiasts."

Pre-release specs
Some GT F features announced today include the recalibrated suspension package, 9-inch wide rear wheels and 275/35 R19 Dunlop Sports Maxx tyres from the GT RSPEC.

The GT F will also run with the RSPEC's automatically enabled launch control, while the current GT option of Brembo 6-piston front and 4 piston rear brakes will be standard.

Actual power/torque figures and other mechanical features are expected to be released closer to launch.

Styling & Appearance - Exterior
Whilwe no images have been released yet, Nick Eterovic, Ford Australia Design Manager, and the Ford design team, has created what he calls a "bold and expressive" design for the GT F that can trace some of its visual cues to past Aussie Ford GTs.

"We knew we had to celebrate an icon so some of the visual design cues can trace their heritage back to the Ford GTs of the 1970s," Eterovic said.

"There is a true sense of history and celebration with this car but we wanted to make sure that we retained the most exciting elements of the current FPV range, while modernising the design and adding fresh elements to the GT F."

The team has developed a 'stealth' stripe design package that is evocative of the blacked-out highlights from Ford muscle cars of the 70s complimented by distinctive GT F badging.

The GT F will be available in five colours: Winter White, Kinetic (blue), Silhouette (black), Octane (orange) and Smoke (dark grey).

Matte black stripes will be standard, but there is a performance white option (on Kinetic only) and metallic gold (on Silhouette only). Silver stripe options will be available on Smoke and Silhouette.

Eterovic said the designers chose a palette of body colour and stripe variations that delivered a set of very strong and targeted combinations, from bold and modern with black on white, through the tone-on-tone elegance of silver on Smoke, to a sense of history with the gold on black.

Styling & Appearance - Interior
Inside, the ambience has been updated to emphasise what Ford calls "richer, darker tones and more lustrous finishes appropriate for the GT F."

In-cabin touches include premium stitching and embroidery on the partial leather sports seats and highlights on the interior trim.

A high series audio and centre console, usually a premium offering of the GT E, has been included as standard, as has a new gear knob cover and dash spear, while a GT F-branded build number completes the interior changes.

"The GT F is a celebration of the GT and of Ford's history in Australia and our dedicated team have made sure this vehicle can stand proudly beside any GT products of the past - and any Ford performance vehicles in future," Graziano said.

"These passionate staff will continue to design Ford vehicles into the future as part of Ford's 1100 strong design and engineering base in Australia."

The GT F sedan has a MLP of $77,990*, while the FPV V8 Pursuit Ute is $52,990.*

*This is the Manufacturer's List Price for the vehicle only. A number of other components, including a dealer delivery fee, stamp duty, registration, compulsory third party insurance and other statutory charges may be payable by a customer in relation to the purchase of this vehicle. The final transaction price will be as negotiated by the customer with their chosen FPV Dealer.