Item: 2008 FPV FG GT Series
Rating: 3.5

Powerful ‘Boss 315’ and ‘Boss 335’ V8 engines
Impressive dynamics
Refined six-speed ZF automatic transmission
Accurate, well-weighted steering
Powerful Brembo brakes

For ZF transmission, coolant lines in heat exchanger were susceptible to failure
5.4-litre V8 engine lacks low-rev response of HSV’s 6.0-litre V8
Awkward driving position
Suspension lacks low-speed compliance
Prone to drivetrain clunks
‘Control Blade’ semi-trailing arm rear suspension inferior to VE Commodore-based four-link IRS

Review: FPV FG.I GT, GT-P and GT-E (2008-11)

Overview

Released in May 2008, the FPV FG Mk.I (FG.I) GT Series consisted of the GT, GT-E and GT-P models. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, the rear-wheel drive GT models were initially powered by 5.4-litre V8 petrol engines that were mated to either six-speed automatic or manual transmissions. In October 2010, however, the 5.4-litre V8 petrol engine was replaced with a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 unit due to the introduction of Euro IV emissions standards.

Boss 315 and Boss 335 V8 engines

Of the engines,

the 5.4-litre Boss 315 V8 petrol engine had a cast iron block, cast aluminium cylinder head, forged steel crankshaft, cross-bolted main bearing caps, sintered connecting rods, double overhead camshafts (DOHC) per cylinder bank, roller finger followers, four valves per cylinder, twin knock sensors, coil on plug ignition and a compression ratio of 11.0:1. Compared to the Boss 302 engine, the Boss 315 engine had:
- New camshaft timing and profiles for higher lift and extended duration;
- Stronger pistons;
- An increased compression ratio (to 11.0:1, previously 10.5:1);
- A twin-plate throttle body to reduce pressure loss through the induction system;
- A new upper intake manifold plenum chamber for improved air flow;
- A new exhaust manifold;
- A new high flow, ‘straight-through’ twin exhaust system with new stainless steel exhaust manifolds;
- Higher peak engine speed of 6500 rpm (previously 6000 rpm);
- A new windage tray which reduced crankshaft windage losses; and,
- A new oil pan.
Developed in Australia by Prodrive at a cost of $36 million, the 5.0-litre V8 ‘Boss 335’ Miami V8 engine was based on Ford’s naturally aspirated Coyote V8 engine that was introduced in the 2010 Ford Mustang GT. The hand-built ‘Boss 335’ Miami V8 engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, an HTV 1900 supercharger (developed by Harrop Engineering and using Eaton Twin Vortices Series technology) providing maximum boost pressure of 0.4 bar (5.8 psi), a forged steel crankshaft, powder sintered forged connecting rods, double overhead camshafts, variable intake camshaft timing, roller finger followers, four valves per cylinder, and a compression ratio of 9.25:1. Due to its aluminium construction, the supercharged Boss 335 engine was 47kg lighter than the Boss 315 engine; the supercharged Boss 335 models were also fitted with a bi-modal exhaust system.

Transmissions

The FPV GT was available with six-speed Tremec TR6060 manual or six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic transmissions.

Replacing the Tremec T56 manual transmission, the Tremec TR6060 had triple synchromesh on first and second gears and double synchromesh on all other gears (including revrese) which reduced gear shift efforts and shift travel. The reduced shift travel also provided increased space for the use of larger, stronger gears for greater durability.

The FPV GT was fitted with the high-performance ZF 6HP26 transmission which was rated for 600 Nm applications and had upgraded clutches with extra plates in the clutch packs. For the FG range, the 6HP26 transmission had a cylinder cut function whereby the fuel injectors would be deactivated during gearshifts to reduce shift times.

For the supercharged Boss 335 engine,

The TR6060 transmission was fitted with a new bell-housing to suit a new twin-plate clutch system (shared with the Mustang GT500) and revised second gear synchros were implemented; and,
The 6HP26 transmission was upgraded with a new 7-plate clutch pack and 4-planet planetary gearset for improved torque capacity.

Development

Developed in conjunction with the FG Falcon , the FPV GT Series had:

A stronger body structure which made increased use of high-strength steels and ultra high-strength Boron steel and included a new front subframe, additional reinforcement inside the front rails, new high strength floor cross members, transmission tunnel reinforcement and a larger, stronger B-pillar;
New Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension (described below);
A forward-mounted, Y-shaped steering rack with variable-ratio steering gear;
Upgraded static sealing and triple-sealed doors;
Redesigned fuel tanks; and,
A self-adjusting park brake.

Dimensions

Compared to the FPV BF GT , the FG GT Series was 39 mm longer (at 4956 mm), 2 mm narrower (1868 mm), 22 mm taller (1466 mm) and had a 7 mm longer wheelbase (2836 mm).

Suspension

The FG GT’s double wishbone front suspension had two lower ball joints that connected the separate lower arms to the suspension knuckle. These two lower links created a virtual pivot of the lower arm – hence the ‘Virtual Pivot Control Link’ name – and allowed the suspension to behave as though the lower pivot point was at the intersection of the two arms. Due to the use of aluminium and high strength steels, the Virtual Pivot Control Link suspension was 22 kg lighter than that in the BF GT.

The independent rear suspension (IRS) had three control arms:

A forged upper control arm;
A stamped front lower control arm; and,
A stamped rear lower control arm.

Each control arm had a cross axis ball joint on the wheel assembly end and was attached to the subframe and knuckle. Furthermore, the ‘Control Blade’ was a stamped trailing arm which provided lateral support and acted as a vertical pivot point.For the FG GT, the roll centre height was increased to reduce in-corner roll and improve straight line stability, while toe-angle was revised to improve steering feel and stability.

The FPV GT range had Sachs mono-shock dampers front and rear.

FPV FG.I GT Series specifications
Engine	Years	Models	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
5.4-litre Boss 315 petrol V8	2008-10	GT, GT-P	6sp auto, 6sp man.	315 kW at 6500 rpm	551 Nm at 4750 rpm
5.4-litre Boss 315 petrol V8	2008-10	GT-E	6sp auto	315 kW at 6500 rpm	551 Nm at 4750 rpm
5.0-litre super-charged Miami V8 petrol V8	2010-11	GT, GT-P	6sp auto, 6sp man.	335 kW at 5750-6000 rpm	570 Nm at 2200-5500 rpm
5.0-litre super-charged Miami V8 petrol V8	2010-11	GT-E	6sp auto	335 kW at 5750-6000 rpm	570 Nm at 2200-5500 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the FPV FG GT Series included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The FPV FG GT had 355 mm by 32 mm cross-drilled and ventilated front brake discs with four-piston Brembo calipers and 328 mm by 26 mm cross-drilled and ventilated rear discs with single-piston calipers.

The GT-P and GT-E, however, had 355 mm by 32 mm cross-drilled and ventilated front brake discs with six-piston Brembo calipers and 330 mm by 28 mm rear discs with four-piston Brembo calipers.

Features

Standard features for the FPV FG GT included 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/35 ZR19 Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres, a seven speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player and auxiliary inputs (MP3/iPod), dual zone climate control air conditioning, a seven-inch colour display, four-way power adjustable driver’s seat, front seat adjustable lumbar support, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, front fog lamps, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, remote central locking, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the GT, GT-P and GT-E were fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

Compared to the GT, the GT-P added a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, FPV floor mats and power adjustable front pedals (automatic models only). The GT-E was further distinguished by a rear vision camera, leather seats, driver’s seat memory settings and woodgrain interior trim.

2008 FPV GT 5th Anniversary edition

In October 2008, a limited run of FPV FG GT 5th Anniversary edition models were released; these models were distinguished by their 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels finished in Alpine Silver, six-piston Brembo brake package, ‘Nudo’ leather seats, embossed head restraints, ‘FPV 5^thAnniversary’ decal and stripes.

2011 FPV GT Black

In August 2011, the FPV GT Black edition was released. Compared to the standard GT, the Black edition could be identified by its ‘Silhouette’ black paint finish, black alloy wheels, black fog lamp bezels, black exhaust outlets, black upper and lower grilles and matt black striping decals. Inside, there was a black finish for the Interior Command Centre, tissue box and door spears; standard features were also extended to include black leather seats and a reversing camera.

Review: FPV FG.II GT, GT-P and GT-E (2011-14)