2006 Ford FPV DRIF6 Typhoon Concept review

Ford FPV DRIF6 Typhoon Concept review:

Ford Performance Vehicles will whip up another storm with its groundbreaking F6 Typhoon following the unveiling of an "unofficial" concept car at yesterday`s ninth annual FPV Family Open Day.

"There is a tradition at each FPV Family Open Day for a group of volunteers from FPV and Prodrive to create a project car to showcase their abilities and generate some excitement among the visitors," said David Flint, Managing Director of Ford Performance Vehicles.

"This year, they have surpassed all previous projects."

The team has created a specially-modified one-off version of the FPV F6 Typhoon sedan designed to tackle similar turbo-charged performance cars in the spectacular new form of motor racing; Drifting.

DRIF6 features a lightweight chassis, racing cockpit and uprated version of its critically-acclaimed intercooled and turbo charged 4.0-litre in-line six cylinder producing more than 380kW of power and 700Nm of torque.

"We wanted to conjure up something unique and exciting for our new turbo fans," FPV Communications Manager, Andrew MacLean, says.

"Drifting is one of the fastest growing forms of motor racing in Australia - and certainly one of the most spectacular...so we let our imaginations drift in that direction."

Unlike previous Family Open Day projects, DRIF6 is a fully-operational concept vehicle and Ford Performance Racing`s rising star, Mark Winterbottom, was involved in early development of the vehicle.

DRIF6 was built by a team of dedicated engineers and technicians at FPV`s Campbellfield facility with the assistance and support of a number of key suppliers, including Prodrive, Autotek, Castrol, HIS Hoses, Robinson Racing Developments, Revolution Racegear and Dunlop.

At the heart of the DRIF6 project is an upgraded 4.0-litre turbo-charged in line six cylinder engine with modifications made to increase the efficiency of the turbo system and to boost power and torque. These include a significantly larger intercooler with a revised induction system that features a ram air box taking air from where the fog light is normally located on the production car, a hand made plenum manifold replacing the individual inlet runners, a unique engine management system calibration and three-inch straight through exhaust system with side outlet.

The transmission has an upgraded Tremec T-56 close-ratio six-speed gearbox and AP racing twin-plate clutch driving the rear wheels through a locked differential.

The braking system includes the optional Brembo brakes available on the F6 Typhoon with 355mm front and 330mm rear cross-drilled and pillar ventilated rotors and six-piston monoblock front calliper and four-piston rear calliper. It has been modified especially for Drifting with high quality braided hoses, a brake proportioning valve and a WRC-style hydraulic handbrake.

The cockpit of DRIF6 has been stripped and replaced with world-class MOMO racing seats and racing harnesses, MOMO steering wheel, MOMO gearknob and a variety of ancillary gauges by VDO and Autron. These include a monster VDO tacho on the dash located in line with the twin-pod sport gauges that display oil temperature and turbo boost pressure, A-pillar mounted gauges to display volts and cabin temperature and Autron`s latest high-tech tyre-press monitoring system located at the base of the Interior Command Centre. The cockpit also has a racing-style roll cage.

The DRIF6 is a concept car designed to showcase the enthusiasm and expertise of FPV`s engineering operations. There are no plans, at this stage, to participate in competitive events.

The FPV Family Open Day featured more than 300 of the best-loved performance Ford vehicles on display from car clubs across Australia and attracted approximately 10,000 visitors End of Ford FPV DRIF6 Typhoon Concept review.