Typhoon in the wind

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Ford Australia has created a couple of firsts with its production-ready F6 Typhoon, the latest derivation of the BA Falcon from the company's go-fast shop, Ford Performance Vehicles.

It is the carmaker's first high-performance turbocharged car, and the torque output from its straight-six engine is the highest of any Australian-built production unit.

The new model will be unveiled at the Sydney Motor Show on October 7 along with other Ford Performance Vehicles' offerings including the MkII Falcon GT, GT-P and Pursuit Ute.

The F6 Typhoon uses a reworked version of the boosted XR6 Falcon's 4-litre DOHC Barra engine.

In the XR6 it develops 240kW (320bhp) and 450Nm of torque.

In the Typhoon it produces 270kW (362bhp) and a groundbreaking 550Nm, around 50Nm more torque than the premium Falcon engine, the 5.4-litre Boss V8.

The F6 Typhoon will go on sale later this year.

"It's set for a November release in Australia, so we can expect it to be available in New Zealand in the New Year," said Ford NZ public affairs manager Edward Finn.

Ford Performance Vehicles will also use the Sydney show to reveal final details of its updated MkII range, which includes a new close-ratio Tremec T56 six-speed gearbox.

Ford itself will highlight the facelifted MkII BA Falcon, with its new six-speed manual transmission and expanded range of standard equipment.