new 2008 FPV range emphasizes

Performance Vehicles, owned by Britain's Prodrive, is the Blue Oval equivalent to GM's down-under hot-shop, Holden Special Vehicles. While HSV produces Commodore-based Holden muscle (and some of the good bits behind the forthcoming Pontiac G8 GXP), FPV works its magic on the Aussie-developed Falcons. Such is the rivalry between Ford and GM in Australia that FPV has wasted no time getting its high-performance versions of the brand-new FG Falcon on the road.

There are seven new FPV models for Blue Oval enthusiasts to choose from -- four sedans and three utes. For the traditionalists, the Boss 5.4L quad-cam 32-valve V-8, built in Australia using bits imported from Stateside, with 422 hp at 6500 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm powers the GT, GT-P, and GT-E sedans as well as the Pursuit and Super Pursuit utes.

An alternative is the surprise-packet turbocharged 4.0 DOHC 24-valve inline-six, available in the F6 sedan, and F6 ute. This engine, whose bore center spacings date back to the engine that powered the original 1960 Falcon, uncorks 415 hp at 5500 rpm and peak torque of 416 lb-ft, which miraculously holds firm from 1950-5200 rpm. Its impressive torque "curve" is shaped like a mesa in a John Ford western.

Driving the new 2008 FPV range emphasizes the point that the turbocharged six, with slightly less power than the V-8, but a little more useable, bankable torque, is the Blue Oval's new hero engine in Australia. The V-8 models are good, but the FPV-developed turbo straight-six is smoother, more alive, and has more luscious urge. Turbo lag is almost undetectable. It sounds masculine and urgent.

If there's a compelling reason to buy a V-8 version, then it's nowhere obvious in a back-to-back drive on a sinuous mountain road. The five FPV V-8 models have the recognizable lazy, effortless surge, and with the numbers produced by the big 5.4, they belt along with agreeable haste. After some further development, the V-8 now revs harder toward the top end. But below 4000 rpm, it's still surprisingly disinterested. At cruising speeds, the V-8s feel like a million dollars. But pushing hard, the extra weight over the front wants to grapple with the steering inputs. It's impressive, but short of mind-blowing.