Force 8 Review Carpoint

[Tles]

Link to article Carpoint Force8

Words - Russell Williamson

All the performance of Ford's hero cars without the CUB styling makes the Force 8 an attractive package for go-fast corporates


Road Test

Model: FPV Force 8RRP: $71,990
Price as tested: $71,990
Also consider: HSV Senator (more here), Chrysler 300C SRT8 (more here)

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0


Combining sports performance and luxury ambience in a sedan is hardly a new concept. Take a look at any BMW from the past two decades or more recent Benz and Audi models and there is an undeniable effort to satisfy both ends of the emotional scale. And it's all done in a very subtle but often rewarding manner.

Take a look at local performance four-doors, however, and subtlety has never been one of their defining factors. Whether it is the growl that comes from the rear, the drive experience or that screaming styling, local fast sedans have traditionally telegraphed their performance with a capital P.

As such, the prime market for the local FPV and HSV products has long been a very Aussie, very male and very identifiable buyer who is after an overt sports sedan. Now with prices for the local muscle versions of Ford's Falcon and the Holden Commodore creeping ever upwards, beyond the luxury car tax threshold (and normal user-chooser car allowance packages), both Ford and Holden and their offshoots have to appeal to a wider group of customers -- including buyers who are looking for something a little more subdued and comfortable though still with the requisite performance quotient.

To meet these needs, Ford's performance partner FPV has recently launched a twin-pronged approach with the new turbo six Force 6 and its V8 stablemate, the Force 8. Priced from $71,990, the Force 8 is the new range-topping car of the FPV lineup and is designed to meld luxury qualities, ambience and more subtle styling with outright power.

As such the Force 8 doesn't appear as hard-core as the previous top-of-the-line FPV, the GT-P. The 8's body kit, for example, is subtler, with only a small boot lid lip spoiler, mesh grille, bonnet bulge (to house the quad-cam V8) and big 19-inch alloys giving it away as a performance car. While it is not in your face, it nevertheless still presents quite a purposeful visage.

The same theme continues once you open the doors and slip into the wraparound and very comfortable and supportive driver's pew. Being electrically adjustable in eight directions along with the steering column's rake and reach adjustment, the seat enables a good driving position.

While there is no shortage of premium features including dual-zone climate control, sumptuous leather all round, a superb six-stack CD audio system and power windows and mirrors, there is also a smattering of kit and cosmetics that point to the car's sports personality. A thick-rimmed steering wheel sits in front of FPV's sports-oriented instrument cluster including oil pressure and temperature gauges. There's also a dash-mounted starter button.

If it's straight out performance you are after, the straight six turbo is quicker to 100km/h than the V8 -- courtesy of its lighter weight and more torque (550Nm vs 520Nm) -- but if it's aural definition you want as well, the V8 delivers with a glorious rumble through the rear quad-outlet exhaust pipes.

Prod the right foot and the car moves off the line with a more than decent surge and the engine remaining smooth and very refined as rev rise. There is no doubt about its intent but push on through about 3000rpm and the very strong mid-range torque makes its presence felt in no uncertain way. Like the other homw-grown V8 sedans, the Force 8 is a rapid car.

Hold the gears courtesy of the excellent, silky smooth and silent ZF six-speed auto and the engine will keep pulling almost through to the 6000rpm red line, just beyond hitting its peak power of 290kW at 5500rpm.

While acceleration through the ratios is enormously strong and the transmission is quick to respond to right foot pressure, sixth is relatively tall and cruising the freeway at 100km/h, the engine is ticking over at a lazy 1500rpm.

This is obviously to help with fuel economy and over a single-day country drive with a mix of highway and C-grade twisty bits, we managed to achieve an overall fuel consumption of just 13.9lt/100km -- respectable and lower than the official 15.0lt/100km as per the ADR 81/01 test.

Despite the lowered sports suspension and wide, low profile 235/45 x 19-inch Dunlop rubber the ride quality on smoother highway surfaces was more than acceptable. It is definitely firm but remains surprisingly comfortable with only short sharp ruts slightly upsetting the refined ambience inside the cabin. Even then, ruts and potholes tended to be heard more than felt.

The payoff is, of course, a car that handles supremely well whatever the state of the tarmac.

Pushed hard through corners, the Force 8 sits extremely flat and solid on the road without being overly upset by patchy surfaces or mid-corner ruts. There is plenty of feedback through the responsive tiller and with a limited slip rear diff, the wide rubber and well-balanced chassis, the car feels very agile and strong with an abundance of grip allowing you to push hard with confidence.

The combination of engine, driveline and chassis delivers a drive experience that is both well mannered and exhilarating and ticks all the performance boxes.

The Force 8's level of refinement and comfort is, frankly, a step up from the home-brand cars and other FPV products. Indeed with plenty of bang for bucks value in a package that doesn't scream cashed-up bogan, it is truly an attractive proposition. That said, despite aspirations of FPV management -- or at least some of the former FPV management -- it is rarely realistically going to attract Euro sports sedan buyers.

Fortunately stealing sales from Euros with twice (and beyond) the pricetag is unlikely to be the measure of the Force 8's success.