In fact, the sheer joy of the servo owner in Thames as the look-at-me GT-P rumbled on to his forecourt for a top-up after returning harrowing numbers north of 18.5L/100km during its half-day in Auckland was screamingly obvious. After a couple of days at the very heart of green country, it had calmed down, but only to around 17L/100km.
Granted, in auto form and on serpentine, hilly roads full of campervans on the way to Hahei, consumption wasn't ever going to be light. But forking over more than $90,000 (Ford NZ is still to confirm the price) for a car with a supercharged five-litre DOHC V8 for fuel economy is like buying a 1kg chocolate egg to avoid eating too many Easter Eggs.
If you're after a madly entertaining car that takes off like a fart in a hurricane, sounds as angry as it looks and won't leave a Euro-sized hole in the wallet for a big pile of power, this stroppy Aussie is just the ticket.
The GT-P hasn't had a huge exterior overhaul, but gets an even grumpier front spoiler, grinning like a loon with its chromed-up double grilles, complete with embossed FPV logo. The skirts and rear bumper follow suit, and the lighting package gets some nice details.
A welcome change from the garish green and gold on last year's "Mk 1" is the "Lightning Strike" silver paint with the Ford signature hockey stick decals in a muted satin black. It looks the part, and the 19-inch rims with cross-drilled brake rotors and red Brembo six-pot calipers peeking through add to its presence.
The biggest upgrade is really on the inside. A new eight-inch resistive touch screen has replaced the LCD in the 2011 model, with a far more advanced tech offering. There's sat-nav - not quite as slick as "stick on" GPS devices like TomTom's Go Live, but perfectly usable and well-integrated, despite the screen being dimmed by glare in some very bright conditions.
The system is standard on all new FPVs, but navigation is only included on the higher-specced GT-E, GT-P and more exec-styled E models.
Smartphone integration has improved and is still fairly straightforward, with Bluetooth audio streaming now allowing cable-free access to music, but there's still a mini plug line in or USB port to plug into, both located in the cavernous centre console.
A reversing camera is displayed on the big screen, although a sonar-only option is on hand if that's your preference.
The new GT-P is obviously not left wanting for power, and does pose a solid threat to the demerits balance. It's off the line fairly rapidly, although it's at its strongest in third gear and passing situations - a real boon on those Coro roads with their never-quite-enough passing lanes.
Handling is still quite dependent on the right foot and is at its best when using the trans in "manual mode". The back end does push the fiery Falcon around, and the front is still a bit bouncy on rougher roads, although the low engine position and a bit less weight than the old 5.4 version has made it drive far more sharply than its 1880kg frame has you expecting.
