Review: FPV SY F6X (2008-09)

Overview

Released in February 2008, the FPV SY F6X was a four-wheel drive SUV available with five or seven seats. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, and based on the Ford SY Territory , the FPV F6X was powered by a 4.0-litre turbocharged six cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The F6X was available with either five or seven seats.

FPV F6 270T engine

The F6X’s FPV F6 270T engine had a cast iron block, a cast aluminium cylinder head, a Garrett GT35/82R turbocharger which had engine oil-lubricated and water-cooler bearings, an air-to-air intercooler, an electronic single bypass wastegate, double overhead camshafts (DOHC, simplex chain-driven), dual independent variable camshaft timing, four valves per cylinder, Duratec-style finger followers, a dual resonance inlet manifold, coil-on-plug ignition, electronic throttle control, twin knock sensors and a compression ratio of 8.8:1.

Compared to Barra 240T engine in the Ford SY Territory Turbo and BA Falcon XR6 Turbo , the F6X engine was tuned by Prodrive and had

• A 50 per cent larger twelve-core intercooler and dual entry ram airbox that increased boost pressure by 50 per cent to 0.64 bar (9.28 psi);
• Revised internals parts including high-strength valve springs and heavy-duty connecting rods; and,
• A unique FPV oil cooler.

Over the combined AD 81/01 test cycle, fuel consumption for the F6X was 14.9 litres per 100 km.

ZF 6HP26 transmission

The FPV F6X was fitted with a high-performance six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic transmission which had a torque capacity of 600 Nm and final drive ratio of 3.46:1.

For its use in the SY Territory and F6X, hardware changes for the ZF 6HP26 transmission included a unique transmission main case, torque converter, output/driveshaft flange and a new transmission cross member attachment (shared with the four-speed automatic). The ZF transmission featured adaptive ‘Driver Recognition’ behaviour, including brake support downshifts, gear holding when cornering, gear holding for uphill and downhill driving and gear holding for fast-off throttle driving situations.

Dimensions

The FPV F6X was 4852 mm long, 1899 mm wide, 1713 mm tall and had a 2842 mm long wheelbase.

Suspension

Like the Ford SY Territory , the FPV F6X had four-link Short and Long Arm (SLA) front suspension, with the one-piece lower-control arm connected to knuckle with two separate balljoint links (creating a virtual pivot point at their imaginary intersection, hence the ‘Virtual Pivot Control Link’ name). At the rear, the F6X had Ford’s ‘Control Blade’ independent multi-link rear suspension which featured a longitudinal trailing arm with a large, plush bush at one end.

Relative to the Territory, changes for the F6X included:

• a unique damper valve code for improved initial roll control;
• new damper settings for a more direct steering response and linear feel; and,
• unique spring rates – around 10 per stiffer than the Territory Turbo Ghia to decrease body roll.

4WD system

The FPV F6X had a permanent four-wheel drive system which provided a 38:62 front:rear torque split. The system included a single-speed, full-time NV125 transfer case which operated in conjunction with the stability and traction control systems to control wheel slip via brake and engine intervention. By using the stability and traction control systems to direct torque, Ford sought to eliminate the need for torque-transfer and slip-limiting devices such as clutch packs and viscous couplings.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the FPV F6X included dual front airbags, front row side airbags with head protection, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The FPV F6X had 355 mm by 32 mm ventilated front brake discs with six-piston Brembo calipers and 328 mm by 26 mm ventilated rear discs with single-piston calipers.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , a four-wheel drive SY Territory with dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 31.57 out of 37. In the offset crash test, there was a moderate risk of serious chest injury for the front occupants and a slight risk of lower injury. For the side impact, a maximum score was awarded by default.

Features

Standard features for the FPV F6X included 18-inch ‘Alpine Silver’ five-spoke alloy wheels with 235/55 R18 Goodyear Fortera tyres, a 150 watt sound system with six speakers, a subwoofer, six-disc CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs, dual zone climate control air conditioning, two-tone leather seats, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, cruise control with speed alert, front fog lamps, rear vision camera, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, steering wheel cruise and audio controls, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, power adjustable pedals, 12 volt power outlets, roof rails, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

Brochure

• Brochure: FPV FG.I F6, FG.I F6 Ute and SY F6X (January 2009)

Related links

• Specifications: FPV SY F6X (January 2008)
• Ford Newsroom: FPV Unleashes New F6X (October 2007)
• Wikipedia.org: FPV SY F6X