FPV GT Mark II review by CarPoint

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

Get used to them, they'll be a legal requirement here sooner or later. And all new European cars will have them as new models are introduced over there.

Most of Europe is a dark and dingy place, we have much higher levels of sunlight here so I think its irrelevant for Australia.

Originally Posted by charles_wif_xf

Falc'man, the new rack is EPAS or just an improved version of the rack in the MkI's?

Its actually a backwards step, they removed the variable ratio Bishop rack and installed a cheaper fixed ratio rack instead. Cost cutting I reckon.

Originally Posted by Falc'man

Hi mate,
Not EPAS but from what I understood from Bossxr8 it's in preparation for EPAS in a year or two - the previous steering rack isn't compatible with EPAS.

I think its more cost cutting then preparation for EPAS, an electric rack will require the removal of the fixed ratio hydraulic setup anyway, they are 2 different parts. On an electric rack the electric motor is part of the steering rack. I'd assume they would use the same Territory/Mustang rack which would be a lot different anyway.

[Redrum]

LED driving lights took cheap, after market and tacky. The HSV's looked better without them.

On car reporting I notice Holden's good mate Paul GOVER in his comments Herald Sun Cars Guide today just had to make mention that Falcon sales are still going down. He never stops.

[Fev]

EVERYONEs sales are going down at the moment..

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Most of Europe is a dark and dingy place, we have much higher levels of sunlight here so I think its irrelevant for Australia.

Its actually a backwards step, they removed the variable ratio Bishop rack and installed a cheaper fixed ratio rack instead. Cost cutting I reckon.

I think its more cost cutting then preparation for EPAS, an electric rack will require the removal of the fixed ratio hydraulic setup anyway, they are 2 different parts. On an electric rack the electric motor is part of the steering rack. I'd assume they would use the same Territory/Mustang rack which would be a lot different anyway.

The tester noted it was the first FG that he had driven that didn't have the minor rack rattle (pulsing feedback). Mercedes Benz use(d) the same Bishop variable rack and they have had the same problem in similar rough / potholed conditions when driven hard.

I think it is an inherent issue with the design which is otherwise functionally
brilliant.

In a perfect world they would've transitioned straight over to the EPAS - collected the 3% fuel saving - as used in Territory and made the changes they needed to fit / work as intended. The Territory EPAS started from the Mustang base but got completely redesigned in the end and made much stiffer, lighter weight and better overall.

[Road_Warrior]

Here's hoping EPAS will be implemented in the next 12 months.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Redrum

LED driving lights took cheap, after market and tacky. The HSV's looked better without them.

On car reporting I notice Holden's good mate Paul GOVER in his comments Herald Sun Cars Guide today just had to make mention that Falcon sales are still going down. He never stops.

..and when did he change from editor to chief reporter or whatever title the story carried?

[Falcman0o7]

Originally Posted by Redrum

LED driving lights took cheap, after market and tacky. The HSV's looked better without them.

On car reporting I notice Holden's good mate Paul GOVER in his comments Herald Sun Cars Guide today just had to make mention that Falcon sales are still going down. He never stops.

He is a typical sheep.

[TUF_302]

What's a kidney worth??? That's what I'll sell to get one!!

[Carby]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

wow i was looking at a mag today and they said HSV didnt want to give them a HSV black edition for their pcoty test they were doing.......whats wrong with all the gts all of a sudden.....

Not much I'd say - according to the Managing editor of Carsguide (todays edition) his best car for 2011:

"HSV GTS, a benchmark Aussie Muscle car delivering stunning performance at a real world price"


The GT could do with bigger tyres and adaptive suspension to go with it's great engine.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Carby

Not much I'd say - according to the Managing editor of Carsguide (todays edition) his best car for 2011:

"HSV GTS, a benchmark Aussie Muscle car delivering stunning performance at a real world price"


The GT could do with bigger tyres and adaptive suspension to go with it's great engine.

Benchmark?

In that the mark on the bench you stand on to get to the top shelf where the good stuff is kept?

[drew`SEVNT5]

Originally Posted by Redrum

LED driving lights took cheap, after market and tacky. The HSV's looked better without them.

On car reporting I notice Holden's good mate Paul GOVER in his comments Herald Sun Cars Guide today just had to make mention that Falcon sales are still going down. He never stops.

He isn't telling any lies....

Bad news won't go away if you just try to ignore it.

[GazzF6]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

Because the GT can be compared to BM's, Merc's & Lexus and hold their heads up ....... why compare it to a HSV?

I like your thinking, just gold!

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by flappist

Benchmark?

In that the mark on the bench you stand on to get to the top shelf where the good stuff is kept?

That's Gold. HSV's are only the benchmark for sissy's who can't handle the FPV's performance.

[b055m4n]

led running lights give me a break....its a mans car not for metro's....but Ford just not doing it self any favours steering rack rattles.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

Because the GT can be compared to BM's, Merc's & Lexus and hold their heads up ....... why compare it to a HSV?

Probably because BMW, Merc and Lexus customers would look at the FPV/Ford badge and laugh while sipping on their latte. Its not the car, its the badge.

They should have daytime running lights, its a good safety feature, they're a hell of a lot brighter than having your parkers on when it comes to getting noticed. We just fitted Phillips ones to an ACT Ambulance we where building and they look good.

[GTpilot]

This is a small article spawned from a greater 4 car comparo with the other 3 mentioned cars, soon to be published. Now consider Feann's comments on the GT were made whilst also in the company of, and driving the IS-F, M3, and C63.

Feann is a great journo, unbiased and a nice guy. You are all reading the DRL comments to seriously. The four car comparo will be an interesting read, and for the GT, it's great company to be with!

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by GTpilot

This is a small article spawned from a greater 4 car comparo with the other 3 mentioned cars, soon to be published. Now consider Feann's comments on the GT were made whilst also in the company of, and driving the IS-F, M3, and C63.

Feann is a great journo, unbiased and a nice guy. You are all reading the DRL comments to seriously. The four car comparo will be an interesting read, and for the GT, it's great company to be with!

yeah and yet still...a fat, plastic,,, ugly, slower,, old engind, boyracer teched and overpriced hsv still gets the nod for the best car this year. What a load of drivel.
Never mind the F6 which still is the best sports sedan in the world under 100k..and the awesomely aussie engineered mustang supercharged engined GT falcon which despite somes opinions still hands it to the hsv around nearly every strip and track weve seen them compared on. capability shouldnt be underestmated.

[Bossxr8]

Its Carsguide, what do you expect. Everything with a Holden badge is the best car in the world bar none, thousands of dollars in a brown paper bag say so.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by GTpilot

This is a small article spawned from a greater 4 car comparo with the other 3 mentioned cars, soon to be published. Now consider Feann's comments on the GT were made whilst also in the company of, and driving the IS-F, M3, and C63.

Feann is a great journo, unbiased and a nice guy. You are all reading the DRL comments to seriously. The four car comparo will be an interesting read, and for the GT, it's great company to be with!

Looking forward to it also. He liked the ride-handling balance too, (notice all the naysayers bleating how they don't handle have gone strangly quiet on this thread). FPV's ride / handling is structured around local road conditions, unlike any of the other cars.

Real world rolling acceleration, (i.e. what really matters in real world driving), was also the best of the bunch and just look at the cars and the prices of them, he's comparing it too.

[Bent8]

Originally Posted by Chopped

The C63 Merc is a dead set beast.

Nice review for the GT too.

Don't forget the C63 is over 100kg lighter than the GT...

[SS_01]

Nice review for the GT. About time, I haven't read a review like that on a FPV for a long time. I still wish that FPV would of added the fatter wheels to the back, and DRL's can look good if integrated correctly. The 8 inch screen does make the car feel more upmarket, but id still like to see further differentiation from other models.

Still, Fantastic review, hope they keep coming

[GTPete]

Fatter wheels, = more stress on the driveline, not good for warranty.
Cant see this happening in a hurry, unless they de tune the engine to compensate.
FPV have found a happy medium between warranty, power and engineering.

[Elks]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

If the owner wants DRL's, they can install proper ADR compliant items which are available, replacing the fog lights so they are fully integrated. There is one GT in this forum with them, and they dont look tacky at all.

So that problem solved, the review is even better now.

Any pics of them, on and off?

[08ESE]

still looks just like a mk1 boss engined fg gt

the projector surrounds in the headlights are FAR too big and chunky, and it needed an update to the front, as the base models got.

the bob jane this weeks special rims, need to go, and DRLs belong on a float at mardi gras.


having said that.... ill take one in seduce please ( drl free! )



if it gets to the point where they MUST have DRLs, integrate them into the design INSIDE the headlight like audi does. not like some cheap ebay light like ive seen on plenty of f6s here.... they look terribly tacky!

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

He isn't telling any lies....

Bad news won't go away if you just try to ignore it.

but continue to tell people and itll make less even look.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Elks

Any pics of them, on and off?

Here: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...postcount=7218

I've bought a set for my XR50 but I've delayed the installation until after the hail damage suffered last sunday is sorted out.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Looking forward to it also. He liked the ride-handling balance too, (notice all the naysayers bleating how they don't handle have gone strangly quiet on this thread). FPV's ride / handling is structured around local road conditions, unlike any of the other cars.

Real world rolling acceleration, (i.e. what really matters in real world driving), was also the best of the bunch and just look at the cars and the prices of them, he's comparing it too.

most of what your saying here should be made into a stamp...so any fools around here..or in fact the world that diss these machines... cop one to the forehead EVERY car brand has problems....its there strong points that make them LEGENDS...LIKE OUR FORDS

[Rodge]

^^ Cheers for that.
Unfortunatly no matter what stamp is made, envy will inevitably rear its ugly head from time to time. Put a little of his review quote in my signature though, just couldn't resist and I suppose that's the next best thing to a stamp around here

[Shonky.]

my bad

[4.0i_SiX]

Originally Posted by 08ESE

still looks just like a mk1 boss engined fg gt

the projector surrounds in the headlights are FAR too big and chunky, and it needed an update to the front, as the base models got.

the bob jane this weeks special rims, need to go, and DRLs belong on a float at mardi gras.


having said that.... ill take one in seduce please ( drl free! )



if it gets to the point where they MUST have DRLs, integrate them into the design INSIDE the headlight like audi does. not like some cheap ebay light like ive seen on plenty of f6s here.... they look terribly tacky!






but continue to tell people and itll make less even look.

Give this man a beer!