Ford Performance Vehicles
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFord Australia's Melbourne-based performance-vehicle marque, operated as a joint venture with Prodrive from 2002 until 2014.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Ford Performance Vehicles, commonly known as FPV, was the high-performance vehicle arm associated with Ford Australia. It operated from Melbourne and produced locally adapted performance cars and utility vehicles under the FPV marque between 2002 and 2014. The business was established as a joint venture between Ford Australia and Prodrive after Prodrive acquired Tickford, the engineering company that had partnered with Ford Australia since 1991 through Tickford Vehicle Engineering. FPV was created to give Ford Australia a dedicated performance identity above the regular Falcon and Territory ranges. Its principal products were based on Australian Ford platforms, especially the Falcon sedan and utility vehicle. The marque combined Ford Australia’s manufacturing and product resources with Prodrive’s engineering, motorsport and performance-development capabilities. Its road cars were also linked commercially and symbolically to Ford Performance Racing, the factory-supported V8 Supercar operation associated with the Prodrive relationship. The first production range appeared in 2003 with the GT, GT-P and Pursuit. These vehicles used a specially developed 5.4-litre Boss 290 V8, producing 290 kW, and were based on the BA Falcon and related Ford Australia models. The GT provided the core sports-sedan identity, the GT-P added luxury and equipment, and the Pursuit applied the performance formula to a Falcon utility. The range expanded during the BA MkII cycle with the Super Pursuit utility and the turbocharged six-cylinder F6 Typhoon sedan and F6 Tornado utility. These models used a turbocharged 4.0-litre Barra inline-six and gave FPV a performance alternative to its V8 products. The BF-series generation broadened the marque’s premium positioning. In addition to updated GT, GT-P, F6 and Pursuit models, FPV introduced the Force 6 and Force 8, more conservatively styled luxury performance cars aimed at buyers seeking equipment and refinement as well as speed. Limited editions, including the GT 40th Anniversary, F6 R-Spec Typhoon and GT Cobra R-Spec, helped maintain interest in the range and emphasized the brand’s connection with Australian performance-car traditions. For the FG Falcon generation, FPV revised its naming structure and added the F6-E, GT-E and GS. A significant engineering change arrived in 2010, when the 5.4-litre V8 was replaced by a supercharged 5.0-litre Miami V8. The new engine increased output in the GT range and was also used in the GS. FPV briefly extended beyond Falcon-based products with the F6X, a turbocharged Territory-based crossover SUV launched in 2008 and discontinued in 2009. The final phase included the FG MkII range, the R-Spec, the return of the Pursuit as a limited edition, and the GT-F 351. Introduced in 2014, the GT-F was the final Falcon-based GT and the last FPV model. Its name referred both to its final status and to its 351 kW output, while also recalling the historic 351-cubic-inch Falcon GT engines. Ford Australia acquired FPV assets from Prodrive in 2012 as part of its plan to retain the performance brand and associated capabilities. Nevertheless, Ford Australia’s impending local manufacturing shutdown led to the discontinuation of the FPV marque and its range in 2014.
History
Ford Australia's relationship with specialist performance engineering began in 1991, when it entered a partnership with Tickford through Tickford Vehicle Engineering. That arrangement created a local development channel for faster and more extensively modified Ford products. Prodrive, an English automotive engineering and motorsport company, later acquired Tickford. In 2002, Ford Australia and Prodrive reorganized the relationship into Ford Performance Vehicles, a dedicated joint venture responsible for performance vehicles sold under the FPV name. The first FPV products arrived in 2003. The GT, GT-P and Pursuit were derived from Ford Australia's BA Falcon and related utility architecture. Their defining mechanical feature was the Boss 290 version of Ford's 5.4-litre DOHC V8, rated at 290 kW. The GT served as the core performance sedan, the GT-P occupied a more highly equipped position, and the Pursuit transferred the same broad formula to a Falcon utility. Exterior bodywork, wheels, interior equipment and the performance engine distinguished the cars from mainstream Falcon variants, while their appearance also reinforced FPV's connection with Ford's V8 Supercar presence. The BA MkII update expanded the range in 2004. The Super Pursuit added a more luxurious utility variant, while the F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado introduced a turbocharged 4.0-litre Barra inline-six in sedan and utility forms. The turbocharged six-cylinder cars gave FPV a second performance identity and helped distinguish the F6 family visually from the V8 GT family. The BF generation followed in 2005 with revised styling and equipment, while retaining the main engine outputs. A German-sourced ZF six-speed automatic became available alongside the six-speed manual. The BF MkII update added the Force 6 and Force 8. These cars were mechanically related to the F6 and GT but emphasized luxury, conservative styling and premium presentation. FPV also used limited editions to sustain the performance range, including the GT 40th Anniversary, F6 R-Spec Typhoon and GT Cobra R-Spec. The R-Spec variants added chassis and suspension emphasis to the performance proposition. In 2008, FPV moved into the crossover market with the F6X, based on Ford Australia's Territory. It used a turbocharged Barra engine but had a short production life and was discontinued in 2009. The same period brought the FG Falcon-based FPV range, including the F6, F6-E, GT, GT-E, GT-P, Pursuit and later GS. In 2010, the 5.4-litre V8 was replaced by a supercharged 5.0-litre Miami V8. This allowed the GT and GS to meet newer emissions requirements while delivering higher output. The Pursuit was dropped from the regular range in 2010, although a limited-edition version returned in 2012. The FG MkII era produced the R-Spec and the final GT-F 351. The GT-F used a retuned supercharged 5.0-litre V8 rated at 351 kW, with a temporary overboost function capable of producing more power under suitable conditions. Its equipment included launch control, upgraded Brembo brakes, R-Spec suspension-related hardware and distinctive dark exterior trim. The model's name linked its final-production status and power output with the historic 351-cubic-inch Falcon GT tradition. Ford Australia announced in August 2012 that it would acquire FPV assets from Prodrive. The transaction was intended to preserve performance engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities under Ford Australia, but the wider closure of Ford's Australian manufacturing operations made the long-term continuation of the FPV marque impractical. FPV production and marketing ended in 2014 after twelve years. The GT-F 351 and the final Pursuit utility represented the closing products of the brand.
- 2014
FPV production ends
[1]The GT-F 351 and final Pursuit represent the end of the FPV range, which is discontinued as Ford prepares to end Australian manufacturing.
- 2012
Ford Australia acquires FPV assets
[1]Ford Australia announces its purchase of FPV assets from Prodrive.
- 2010
Miami V8 replaces the 5.4-litre V8
[1]FPV adopts a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 for the GT and GS ranges to meet newer emissions requirements.
- 2008
F6X crossover launches
[1]The Territory-based F6X becomes FPV's first production model not based on the Falcon.
- 2006
Force models join the range
[1]FPV introduces the luxury-focused Force 6 and Force 8.
- 2004
F6 and Super Pursuit introduced
[1]The BA MkII range adds the Super Pursuit and the turbocharged F6 Typhoon and F6 Tornado.
- 2003
First FPV production range
[1]The GT, GT-P and Pursuit launch with the 5.4-litre Boss 290 V8.
- 2002
FPV is formed
[1]Ford Australia and Prodrive establish Ford Performance Vehicles after Prodrive's acquisition of Tickford.
- 1991
Ford Australia partners with Tickford
[1]Ford Australia begins its specialist performance relationship with Tickford through Tickford Vehicle Engineering.
Products and positioning
Australian performance and luxury-performance vehicles derived primarily from Ford Falcon platforms, positioned against Holden Special Vehicles and other locally produced high-performance cars.
Performance sedan · 2003
FPV GT
The GT was FPV's core high-performance sedan, based on successive Ford Falcon generations. Early versions used the 5.4-litre Boss 290 V8, while later FG cars adopted the supercharged 5.0-litre Miami V8. The range included GT-P, GT-E and limited-edition derivatives, culminating in the GT-F 351.
Turbocharged performance sedan and utility · 2004
FPV F6
The F6 family was FPV's turbocharged six-cylinder line, derived from the Falcon XR6 Turbo. In the BA and BF generations, the sedan was called the F6 Typhoon and the utility was called the F6 Tornado. Later FG versions used the simpler F6 name, with the luxury-oriented F6-E added in 2009.
Performance utility · 2003
FPV Pursuit
The Pursuit applied FPV's V8 performance treatment to Ford Australia's Falcon utility. It launched with the original FPV range, was joined by the more highly equipped Super Pursuit in 2004, was removed from the regular range in 2010, and returned as a limited-edition model in 2012.
Luxury performance sedan · 2006
FPV Force 6 and Force 8
The Force models were luxury-focused alternatives within the BF MkII range. The Force 6 was related to the F6, while the Force 8 was related to the GT. Both used more restrained exterior styling, premium interiors and performance hardware, targeting buyers who wanted speed without the overt visual treatment of the sportier models.
Performance crossover SUV · 2008
FPV F6X
The F6X was a Territory-based crossover and FPV's first production model not derived from the Falcon. It used a turbocharged Barra engine and offered a high-output alternative in the crossover segment, but its production period was brief and ended in 2009.
Entry-level performance sedan and utility · 2009
FPV GS
Introduced in 2009, the GS became FPV's entry-level performance offering below the GT. It was available as a sedan and utility and initially used a 5.4-litre Boss V8. After the 2010 powertrain change, it received the supercharged 5.0-litre Miami V8 in a lower-output configuration than the GT.
Limited-edition performance sedan · 2014
FPV GT-F 351
The GT-F 351 was the final FPV model and the last Falcon-based GT sedan. Its supercharged 5.0-litre V8 was rated at 351 kW, with a temporary overboost capability under appropriate conditions. Launch control, upgraded brakes, R-Spec-related chassis equipment, distinctive dark trim and a numbered presentation emphasized its role as a closing collector edition.
Brand decisions
2014
FPV is discontinued after the final Falcon-based modelsStrategyBackground
Ford Australia was preparing to end local vehicle manufacturing, limiting the commercial basis for continued FPV production.
Action taken
Ford discontinued the FPV marque and its vehicle range after the GT-F 351 and final Pursuit utility.
Aftermath
FPV became a defunct Australian performance marque after twelve years of production and marketing.
2012
Ford Australia acquires FPV assets from ProdriveM&ABackground
Ford Australia sought to retain the engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities associated with the FPV performance brand.
Action taken
Ford Australia announced the purchase of FPV assets from Prodrive.
Aftermath
The FPV range continued through 2014, but the brand was subsequently discontinued in connection with Ford Australia's manufacturing shutdown.
2010
FPV switches from the 5.4-litre V8 to the Miami V8Generation changeBackground
The existing 5.4-litre V8 could not meet the required Euro IV emissions standard, creating pressure for a new engine strategy.
Action taken
FPV replaced it with a supercharged 5.0-litre Miami V8, rated at 315 kW in the GS and 335 kW in the GT.
Aftermath
The change enabled the performance range to meet the relevant emissions requirements while increasing output in the GT family.
Recent events
- 2014
FPV GT-F 351 marks the end of the performance marque[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The GT-F 351 was presented as the final Falcon-based GT and the last FPV model, released as a limited-production performance sedan before the marque was discontinued.
- 2012
Ford Australia announces acquisition of FPV assets[1]
M&A
Ford Australia announced that it would purchase FPV assets from Prodrive, with the stated aim of continuing the brand's engineering, manufacturing and marketing activities in Australia.
- 2008
FPV launches the Territory-based F6X[1]
Product launch
The F6X became FPV's first non-Falcon-based production model, combining a Territory-based crossover body with a turbocharged Barra engine.
- 2006
FPV introduces Force 6 and Force 8 luxury performance models[1]
Product launch
The BF MkII range added the Force 6 and Force 8, luxury-oriented models with more restrained styling and equipment intended to compete with premium HSV offerings.
- 2004
FPV expands with turbocharged F6 models and the Super Pursuit[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The BA MkII update added the Super Pursuit and introduced the turbocharged F6 Typhoon sedan and F6 Tornado utility, broadening the marque beyond V8-powered cars.
- 2003
FPV launches its first GT, GT-P and Pursuit models[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The initial FPV range introduced the GT and GT-P performance sedans and the Pursuit utility, all using the 5.4-litre Boss 290 V8.
- 2002
Ford Performance Vehicles is established as a Ford Australia–Prodrive joint venture[1]
M&A
Following Prodrive's acquisition of Tickford, Ford Australia and Prodrive formed Ford Performance Vehicles to develop and market Ford-based performance vehicles in Australia.
Sources1 sources
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