- Powerful 4.0-litre ‘Barra 270T’ turbo engine
- Accurate steering
- Powerful Brembo brakes
- Generally impressive dynamics…
- … but leaf spring rear suspension struggles for traction on uneven surfaces
- Noticeable turbo lag
- Tremec T56 a chore to use
- Prone to drivetrain clunks
- Suspension, driveline and road noise
- Low standard of interior fit and finish
Review: FPV BA.II F6 Tornado (2005)
Overview
Released in January 2005, the FPV BA Mk.II (BA.II) F6 Tornado was a rear-wheel drive, performance utility. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, the F6 Tornado was powered by a 4.0-litre turbocharged six cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
FPV F6 270T engine
The F6 Tornado’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 infinitely variable camshaft timing, four valves per cylinder, Duratec-style finger followers, a dual resonance inlet manifold, coil-on-plug ignition, electronic throttle control and a compression ratio of 8.8:1.
Compared to the Barra 240T engine in the BA Falcon XR6 Turbo , the F6 Tornado 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.
Tremec T56 transmission
The FPV BA F6 Tornado was fitted with a six-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission and a twin-plate clutch supplied by AP Racing. The close-ratio six-speed Tremec T56 manual transmission had double synchromesh on all forward gears and single synchromesh on reverse, linear bearings in the shift rail, direct linkage shifters, an electronic reverse gear lockout and a final drive ratio of 3.73:1.
Dimensions
The FPV BA F6 Tornado was 5077 mm long, 1870 mm wide, 1515 mm tall and had a 3096 mm long wheelbase.
Suspension
The FPV F6 Tornado had double wishbone front suspension and a live rear axle suspended by leaf springs (both with gas-filled dampers and anti-roll bars).
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F6 Tornado | 4.0-litre F6 270T turbo petrol I6 | 6sp man. | 270 kW at 5250 rpm | 550 Nm at 2000-4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the FPV BA F6 Tornado included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, front seatbelts with pretensioners and a load limiting seatbelt for the driver.
Brakes
FPV’s performance brake package for the F6 Tornado consisted of 325 mm by 32 mm grooved and ventilated front brake discs with two-piston calipers and 303 mm by 16 mm rear discs with single piston calipers.
Available as an extra-cost option, the premium Brembo braking package consisted of 355 mm by 32 mm cross-drilled and ventilated front brake discs with four-piston calipers.
Features
The FPV BA F6 Tornado was similarly equipped to the FPV BA Pursuit , with standard features including 18-inch alloy wheels, a 100 watt sound system with six speakers and a six-disc CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, contoured sports seats with suede-feel bolsters, a four-way power adjustable driver’s seat, adjustable front seat lumbar support, cruise control, automatic headlights, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer and an immobiliser.
The F6 Tornado was also fitted with a limited slip differential.
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