2012 Ford Falcon FPV GT RSpec: If Max is Mad, Consider us Crazy

For those whose familiarity with the Falcon GT begins and ends with Mad Max—and if you're not familiar, let us introduce you to a replica of the infamous Mad Max Falcon—it may come as a surprise to learn the history of this famous nameplate actually started out in relatively discreet fashion. In fact, the two models that kicked off the breed—the 1967 XR and the following year's XT—were relatively restrained in their cosmetic add-ons. It was only with the arrival of the following XW and XY models—complete with Super Roo decals, a shaker hood scoop, and go-fast stripes—that the Falcon gained a reputation for extroverted styling to match its scorching performance. We won't be awarding any prizes for guessing which course Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) elected to pursue when it finalized the look of the new Falcon GT RSpec."It definitely makes a statement," said Brad Brownell, Ford Australia's VP of marketing, in a masterpiece of understatement. "[Our customers] want the performance, but they also don't want it in a stealth package. They want it to be loud and proud." It's fair to say the RSpec's red-on-black graphics, inspired by those on the 1969 Boss Mustang, ensure its prospective buyers will be nothing if not that. (The shrinking violets among us will doubtless be pleased to hear it's also available in Winter White, Vixen Red, or Kinetic Blue, featuring positively demure Silhouette Black detailing.) Yet to focus on aesthetics is to overlook the hidden tweaks that (unofficially) make this the quickest production car ever built in Australia. The heart of the RSpec remains the thumping Coyote 5.0-liter V-8, but a supercharger and unique-to-Australia inlet and exhaust systems turn the Coyote 5.0 into what FPV calls Miami. The Miami mill doles out the same 449 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque as the standard Falcon GT. The suspension, however, benefits from an array of detail tweaks, including retuned dampers, higher spring rates, a fatter rear anti-sway bar, and revised rear toe setting for improved turn-in. At the front, meanwhile, a reinforced lower control arm, stiffer upper control arm bushes, and strut mounts improve wheel control. All that helps make it quicker through the twisty bits—but to understand why this is the quickest-accelerating Falcon ever, there are two additional elements to consider. The first is extra contact patch—the width of each rear Dunlop SP Sport Maxx rises by 1.2 inches to 10.8, wrapped around 19-inch wheels. This modification aims to address persistent criticism that the standard GT has insufficient rear grip to keep its tail planted, especially under hard acceleration. But perhaps equally important in allowing the RSpec bragging rights is the second trick in its playbook—launch control. FPV hasn't released an official 0-to-60 time, for fear of breaking Australia's strict advertising standards code. But with this piece of electronic trickery enabled, internal testing is understood to have yielded a benchmark figure of 4.5 seconds, a significant improvement on the stock GT's 4.9. Ford is building 350 RSpec Falcon sedans, plus 75 Pursuit Utes featuring the same Vixen graphics package. The utes, however, lack the sedan's mechanical upgrades. Those omissions don't seem to have hindered demand though, with Ford reporting even greater initial dealer interest in the utes than the sedans. Instrumented Test: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Road Test: 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 First Drive: 2013 Ford Focus ST The RSpec Falcon starts at $76,990 in Australian currency (that translates to roughly $79,500 in our dollars), and that's a lot of money. But in a market where our only hi-po, rear-drive sedan offerings from the Big Three are Chrysler's 300 SRT8 and Dodge's Charger SRT8—although the upcoming Chevrolet SS will change that landscape—we're desperate to see a four-door fast Ford. Read full story » from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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