Ford FGX Falcon GT-X (2015)

Let me make it clear. There is no 2015 Ford Falcon GT.

 

But, what if there was - what might it be like?

 

Well, that is not *quite* true. The XR8 model 2015 Falcon, gets pretty much all the good stuff from the 2014 GT:

 

335 kW 5.0 Litre V8 'Miami'

Big Brembo Brakes

Upgraded 'Panther' tires and chassis

Upgrade seats and boost gauges

 

But it is not a GT.

 

But if there was one, how would it step up the game a notch or two?

 

Well, I'm glad you asked.

 

Engine:

 

The 2014 GT and 2015 XR8 shared the higher spec of two engines originally developed for the 2010 upgrade to the Falcon FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles). The GS had the lower spec 315 kW version. The two are fundamentally the same. There are only a couple of physical parts that are different.

 

Last year, as a last hurrah of the GT, a special 351 kW version was developed, and sold at the 'GT 351' (500 vehicles for Australia and 50 for New Zealand).

 

But could you get more out of the engine yet? The simple answer to this question is - Yes. The fundamental basics of the Aussie 'Miami' engine are shared with the 'Coyote' engine developed for the North American Ford Mustang. In standard US GT tune, this develops nearly as much power (~307 kW, base).Move to the similarly supercharged 'Shelby GT 500' however, and things get a little bit crazy.

 

The engine measures a swept capacity of 5.8 litres. Power extends to 494 kW (662 hp) and torque to 856 Nm (631 lb.ft) - besting even the new Ferrari 488. The engine is backed up by the Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission, the same as used by the Falcon.

 

Will it fit? Yes.

 

Will it go? Well, one would think that it might need a bit more grip....

 

Chassis:

 

If there was one area of the Falcon that allowed it to be out-powered in the showroom, it was probably wheels and tires. The top powertrain at the FG launch in 2008 was a 290 kW 'Boss'. This engine, being naturally aspirated, was also a little light on low-end torque, so it tended not to fry the tires off from a launch. Move to the turbocharged/supercharged engines, and things tended to get a little messy.

 

Enter 'Panther'. Panther was a code name to finally take the rear end of a Falcon. The Panther was officially called GT Rspec, and provided 275mm wide rubber on 19 inch alloys.

 

Add another 300Nm though, and you probably are going to need 335s....

 

Just saying.

 

The FGX losing the GT versions also meant an end to the wild wing and stripes of the FPV variants, so you'd probably want to bring some more of that back again.

 

And why not replicate one of the GT Rspec livery combinations, courtesy of the 'Western Outlaws', black paint, with red wheels, grille, rear spoiler, rear-view-mirror caps and bonnet bulge.

 

The 'Western Outlaws' are a fictional car enhancement company, and the reason for this fictional Ford Falcon GT-X in Lego miniland scale, for Flickr LUGNuts' 87th Build Challenge, - "A Tale of Two Rivals", - a challenge to create vehicles in one of two colour liveries: The Eastern Rebels (Black, Dark Grey and yellow), of the Western Outlaws (Black, Red and Tan).

 

Plus, if you really wanted to create this car, you could.....

 

Just saying

Done