No FPV Territory for Melbourne

FPV will not unveil a new Territory-based model at Melbourne motor show. That's the official word from Ford in the face of building speculation, in part prompted by FPV/Prodrive exec, Brian Mears.

Mears who heads up the Prodrive division which controls FPV, was quizzed by automotive industry news site GoAuto this week as to the likely appearance of the long-rumoured high-performance Territory. He told the website: "I think we need a bit of a talking point at the Melbourne motor show and we'll just have to see whether there's one there."

However CarPoint/Carsales sources within Ford and FPV have been adamant any Territory-based FPV badged product is still far from certain.

Officially, Ford spokesperson, Sinead McAlary told CarPoint/Carsales: "There is no approved program [for a FPV Territory variant]. The speculation of a new FPV model [Territory] at Melbourne is wrong."

Ms McAlary said Ford and FPV were "still looking" at whether such a vehicle would be brought to market.

Back in October 2006, then FPV boss Sak Ryopponen said FPV had the Ford SUV "firmly in its sights"  and intimated it had completed engineering trials. However he stated that with the current Falcon and Territory due to be replaced in 2008, timing would make it impossible for the all-paw hottie to arrive "until the next generation" of Fords.

CarPoint/Carsales can reveal that prior to the recent and controversial FPV management changes, the performance arm had planned to unveil a limited-edition 40th Anniversary Falcon GT at the Melbourne Show.

The status of this model, and the updated 'Super Roo' badging it was expected to feature, is now unclear.

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