What is the fastest Falcon GT?
The fastest Falcon GT in production history is widely regarded as the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III from 1971. In the modern era, Ford Performance Vehicles’ FG-X era Falcons deliver the quickest straight-line performance within today’s regulatory limits. This article traces those milestones and explains what “fastest” means for the Falcon GT lineage.
Defining speed in the Falcon GT lineage
Speed can be judged by several metrics: top speed, acceleration (0–100 km/h times), and overall power delivery. For classic Falcons, top speed and straight-line acceleration are the traditional yardsticks, while contemporary Falcons emphasize horsepower, traction, and controlled performance within speed limits.
Fastest Falcon GT contenders
Below are the models most often cited as the quickest Falcons GT, reflecting both the landmark era of the Phase III and the peak of the FPV era.
- GTHO Phase III (1971) — The apex of the early Falcon GT era, powered by a 5.8 L (351 cubic inch) V8 with around 290 hp (gross). Contemporary reporting places its top speed in roughly 210–230 km/h range, with 0–100 km/h around six seconds. It remains the iconic benchmark for speed in Falcon GT history.
- FPV GT (FG-X era, 2013–2014) — A later-generation Falcon GT from Ford Performance Vehicles, typically equipped with a 5.0 L supercharged V8 delivering about 335 kW (450 hp) and 570 Nm. Road tests typically show 0–100 km/h in about 4.8–5.2 seconds, with electronically limited top speeds around 250 km/h.
- Subsequent FPV/FG variants — Throughout the FG generation, refinements in gearing, traction, and tuning kept straight-line performance strong, maintaining the same practical top-speed cap while shaving times on the 0–100 km/h sprint.
Concluding note: Among genuine production Falcons, the Phase III is the historic frontrunner for outright top speed and raw acceleration from the early days of Falcon GT performance. In the modern era, FPV’s FG-X/FG lineup represents the fastest, most capable Falcons under today’s safety and emissions standards.
Why Phase III stands out historically
The Phase III was designed specifically to crown the Falcon GT program, combining a high-displacement V8, relatively light bodywork, and tuned gearing into a car that defined Australian muscle-car speed for its era. Its legacy endures among collectors and enthusiasts as the quintessential symbol of speed in the Falcon GT line.
What defines “fastest” in today’s Falcons
Today’s fastest Falcons are the FPV FG-X/FG-series GTs, which deliver sub-5-second 0–100 km/h times and top speeds commonly limited to about 250 km/h. These cars reflect a shift from raw, ungoverned power to regulated, high-tech performance with advanced traction and stability control.
Bottom line
The fastest Falcon GT, by historical consensus, is the GTHO Phase III from 1971. In the contemporary era, FPV’s FG-X GT family stands as the pinnacle of modern Falcon GT performance, offering rapid acceleration and high-speed capability within modern legal and regulatory constraints. Since Ford ceased Falcon production in Australia in 2016, no new Falcon GTs have been added to the lineup, but the GT lineage continues to be celebrated by enthusiasts worldwide.
Summary
In short, the GTHO Phase III is widely regarded as the fastest Falcon GT ever built and remains the iconic benchmark of Australian muscle-car speed. The FPV FG-X/FG-era Falcons represent the modern pinnacle of Falcon GT performance, delivering impressive 0–100 km/h times and a high, electronically limited top speed. The Falcon GT legacy persists in the hearts of collectors and fans, even as production has ended.
