As we mark ten years since Ford Australia closed their last factories and ended fifty-six years of Falcon manufacturing, it is fitting that we look back on one of the Falcon’s modern golden hours: 2011 FPV F6. A revolutionary inline-6, with a great big turbo pumping out power equal to and beating some V8s.
I have owned this car for 14 years now. I read a Drive Magazine Article in 2011 and I’ve wanted one ever since!
I met my now-wife in this car and proposed to her in this car, so it holds a special place in our hearts. It was also this car that we took to her first track day, and by golly, would you believe it threw a water pump pulley! At least it survived the drive through the Adelaide Hills.
For what the car is, it drives quite well. The nature of the car, with the heavy engine over the front wheels, does give way to a bit of understeer, but a bit more throttle tends to counter that with some oversteer and you can manage a neat lap around The Bend.
On the road though, for me, it is sublime. It is smooth, holds the road nicely and is a pleasure through some corners; the manual transmission only adds to the visceral feeling and driver engagement.
It has had a Stage 1 tune, so the power delivery and the way it holds through the power band always gives you that fizz and you can’t help but smile!
Being a full-size sedan, it is quite comfortable; the legroom for both front and rear passengers is satisfactory but if you are quite tall, rear legroom is compromised. The boot space is large and accommodates a few bags for weekends away, something we tested when taking the car to Kangaroo Island – yes, it handled the dirt roads with ease!
The car has been quite reliable, with the track day incident and a flat tyre aside, it has never left me on the side of the road.
In the time I’ve owned it, the only major component I’ve had to change is the water pump. I did upgrade the intake pipes but other than this, just the usual yearly maintenance which, being an Aussie car, parts have been affordable and easily accessible.
It isn’t the most fuel-efficient car out there, doesn’t have a lot of tech and cheap plastics are used throughout the interior but let’s be honest, this is a car you buy with your heart.
It is true to the Falcon’s roots of a high-powered muscle car at an affordable price that doubles as a family car, and that’ll keep the wife happy!
Owner: Angelo
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