[fpv_gtho]

1999 FTE T-Series vs 2001 FTE T3 T-Series

Ford launched a failed attempt with their unloved AU series Falcon to match Holdens upmarket sports brand HSV. It might have worked, but they released the cars with underpowered engines that only provided 200kw for the TE50 and 220kw for the TS/TL50. Holden and HSV had just recieved first shipment of GM's LS1 V8, which in stock tune produced 250kw for the base HSV models whilst Holden ran a detuned version matching FTE's best 220kw figure. It took them 2 years before they finally could match HSV's firepower, by developing a stroker kit for the now out of production 302/5L V8, bumping capacity up to 5.6L and allowing a power figure of 250kw. The car was so good, it was still faster in the right hands than the later released BA model FPV GT which superceded the FTE TE50 in the marketplace.