Got the dash, without the flash

Ford's FPV F6-E is powerful and comfortable, but unassuming. Photo / Supplied

I donned a black armband to collect Ford's FPV F6-E. News the Aussie-built rear-drive Falcon will end its days in 2015 gave an edge to this test. The "global Ford" policy designed to keep the company in the black will see the front- or all-wheel-drive Taurus here instead, perhaps masquerading under a Falcon badge.

An FPV Taurus? It doesn't quite have the same ring, does it, let alone the same hairy-chested testosterone-addled image. Not that everyone wants to flaunt their automotive muscle whenever they go out. Some folk want the go without the show - and Ford says this F6-E is made for them.

It says there was plenty of executive interest in the Melbourne Show concept; in a turbocharged six with oodles of power and all the FPV performance and handling, but without the confrontational Alice Cooper face and related embellishments - even the rear spoiler's now an under-the-radar boot lip. Ford might be right about folk seeking a sleeper, and certainly there are advantages. My time with the car was spent out near the World Junior Surf champs, on a tight and winding road in a stupidly powerful car that'd light up the rear wheels at a whiff of throttle - even with the stability control on and the transmission in normal mode. Yet few of the plentiful members of our vigilant constabulary took a second look at the white Falcon warbling past. At a casual glance, it looks like a rep-mobile.

The assembled surfing lads knew different though. Perhaps they spotted the badges, but heads turned as I wombled past, awaiting a quiet moment to give the car its head.

It's worth doing so, too. For under the bonnet this 4.0-litre turbo-charged in-line six-cylinder monster delivers 310kW at 5500rpm and a mighty 565Nm of torque. It's mated to a six-speed auto with sequential sport shift, and the combo is more than enough to get you into trouble, and to change the sound track from round-town mild, to surfin'-wild.

Floor the accelerator - even in "normal" mode - and you know this ain't no everyday Falcon. The rubber lights up with hair-raising ease; fortunately the car's handling is predictable enough to feel it coming and offset it almost before the stability control cuts in. It's also impressively comfy for a performance car - Ford says that's the new Sachs mono-shock damper to cosset executive buttocks, while owners will also appreciate stuff like the car's reversing camera.

Not to mention the shapely contrast-stitch seats and the red start button you expect from FPV, along with restrained accents to suit the toned-down looks. What if I were buying an $87,990 endangered species? I'm sorry, a sleeper may be fine if you want to slip under the radar. But for that final drive into the sunset, I'd want the full Monty.

Ford FPV F6-E

We like
Under-the-radar looks with frazzle-the-radar performance.

We don't like
That Falcon's days are numbered.

Powertrain
4.0-litre turbo in-line six, 310kW at 5500rpm, 565Nm at 1950-5200rpm, six-speed auto drives rear wheels.

Performance
0-100km/h not available, 12.1l/100km (claimed).

Safety
Six airbags, ABS and stability control, reversing camera.

What it's got
Dual-zone air con, cruise control, six-disc audio with iPod integration, Bluetooth.

Vital stats
4970mm long; 505l boot volume; 68l fuel tank.