Today I tested a car that I have wanted to drive since word of its release, that being the FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles) GT-P 335. Powered by the new supercharged Coyote 5.0 litre V8 engine, the GT-P produces 335kW of power at 5,750 rpm and 570Nm of torque at 2,200-5,500 rpm.
From the moment you press the red start button there is a subtle burble from the supercharged V8 that almost seems to disappear and become barely noticeable on the inside. All that changes somewhat when you step on the power pedal. Suddenly the exhaust comes to life with a ferocious growl and the whistle from the supercharger was like sweet music to my ears. You get a shiver up your spine as the traction control tries its best to deliver all 335kW and 570Nm of torque to the roads surface.
Once the wheel spin stops and you glance down at the speedometer you soon realize just how fast the GT-P accelerates, in just a few of seconds you have already past the speed limit and it's time to test those massive Brembo brakes to slow you down so you can keep your license. Handling is quite good but when you consider the amount of power you have and the way it gets delivered, it's almost hard to control sometimes and easily steps out of line if you push it hard.
From the outside the GT-P looks great with the bold body kit and the massive bonnet power bulge.GT-P's striking new Boss 335 striping package, unique Silver Chrome front grille and new 19" 5-spoke premium alloy wheels all compliment the exterior wonderfully. The rear of the vehicle also features the new high-flow twin pipe quad outlet exhaust system. This is one car that does get noticed when you are driving around town.
The GT-P I drove had the ZF 6-speed high-torque automatic transmission with Sequential Sports Shift and it worked really well, never having any problems with finding the correct gear when you put the power down. When I changed to performance mode the changes became much crisper. I had a little play with the GT-P in manual mode and again it worked very well although I'm not a huge fan of this, I just figure if you want to change the gears manually you should buy a manual.
FPV have done an awesome job with the seats. Sliding into them is like putting on a glove. Sitting in the driver's seat is an experience and feeling that one can only enjoy by doing so. They are superb at holding you in place and truly comfortable. High bolstering for your hips and legs is great when cornering at speeds but it makes it a little bit hard to get in and out of the car but it's something you will quickly get used to.
Inside the steering wheel has a nice meaty feel and the controls are in easy reach while driving. I had a small play with the HMI (Human Machine Interface) and I found it also easy to use while driving. The stereo is good while not being outstanding and comes with Bluetooth, I-pod and mp3 compatibility. If you get easily lost then Sat Nav is an extra cost option.
To sum things up the FPV GT-P was a pleasure to drive. Endless amounts of power make it is easy to push around and step it out a bit but one could easily go too far and end up in trouble. While driving the GT-P I never once needed to turn the traction control off and had no problems with it being on constantly, I'm not sure turning it off would be the wisest thing to do on everyday streets. I took some friends along for a ride and there were no complaints from the rear all travelled in comfort. Rated with a 5 star ANCAP Safety Rating makes it great for driving the family around town or going for a long trip as there is plenty of room in the boot.
As for daily driving, the GT-P would be a very comfortable and exciting pleasure but I will warn you it could also be a bit of a handful only from the point of view that it can be so easy to go fast without realizing it. Self control soon cures that but the temptation is always there.
