FPV's Thoughts on reviving GT-HO (Drive.com)

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A modern-day version of the iconic Ford Falcon GTHO may never see the light of day after all, and is now in a race against time, money and a lack of buyer interest in the regular Falcon.

Since Ford Performance Vehicles unveiled its supercharged 5.0-litre V8, developed at a cost of $36 million, the company has hinted that it could spawn a tribute to the famous GT nameplate from the 1970s.

Although the engine produces 335kW of power, FPV insiders say that it is capable of producing in excess of 400kW.

However, to handle the awesome amount of power, the Falcon's underpinnings require more engineering work than initially thought.



If FPV was to abandon the GTHO project it has been talking about since 2007 (initially it was talked of reviving the GTHO name but later FPV said such a flagship would not use the legendary moniker) it would mean backing down from the wish of former general manager Rod Barrett, who suggested a modern GTHO was likely.

FPV today released its fastest ever sedan, a limited edition Falcon GT R-Spec with upgraded suspension and wider tyres to cope with the full 335kW of power, but even more modifications are required to make the next step if more power was eked from the engine.

At today's release of "the most advanced GT Falcon to date", the managing director of FPV, Bryan Mears, told Drive:

"A lot has been said about GTHO over the years. Many people have had opinions and have wanted us, as the owners of that DNA, to say 'let's bring out a new GTHO'.

"[But] I don't know how you do that. The fact is GTHO is not only iconic, it's off in a space by itself.

"For someone to say I'm going to make one of those is really an impossible task because we will never ever get it right."

Mears said the just-released R-Spec GT is the best of the Falcon breed in 40-plus years, but any further changes would be at a significant cost.

"Today's car is so far ahead of the original GTHO, there's daylight," Mears says. "If you look at the underpinnings of this vehicle ... it's the mothership.

"[But] there is no doubt it needs considerable investment to take it to a level beyond where we have it now.

"This [R-Spec] is the optimum package, for this vehicle's capability."

Drive understands that the decision to make the necessary changes to the Falcon's underbody lie with Ford, which has just reported a record financial loss in Australia in the wake of nosediving Falcon sales.

The other inhibiting factor is that Ford Australia is now fully integrated into Ford's global research, development and durability standards.

Any changes to the Falcon must be approved by Detroit executives, who are reportedly loathe to make any further investments in the Falcon as they are acutely aware of the model's record-low sales.

Ford owns 49 per cent of FPV and Prodrive owns 51 per cent. But although Ford is a minority partner, it holds the cards in terms of the development of the donor vehicle.

When asked about the likelihood of a modern-day GTHO (or "Phase V" as it has been dubbed by some) before the current generation Falcon bows out by 2016, Mears said:

"I'm not at liberty to talk about Ford's plans, or our plans.

"If you want the best Falcon GT money can buy ... you'd be crazy not to buy this vehicle we have released today. This is the best car we've ever produced."\
http://brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/mo...813-244g2.html

Comment by csv8 not Drive:
SRT8 will give the GT a run for its money, power and value for money...