There are three instantly eye-catching aspects to the GT-P: The alloy wheels, the bonnet bulge and the high-rise rear wing. Together they form the crux of what most will see when you hammer past in the FPV motors, followed by a big Blue Oval badge, but other notable extras include the sculpted side skirts, low front and rear aprons (bumpers) and snazzy fog lights.
As a whole, the GT-P looks tough, and while the GT has a more revered nameplate, the wheels really killed it for me. The five-spoke alloys of the GT are a little lacking in lustre when compared to the seven spoke mags of the GT-P, which suit the vehicles tough demeanour a lot better.
Both cars are unique, however. They command attention wherever they go, particularly when you've got plates that read "FPV-GT". I've never seen so many people looking at a car, but it is an iconic Aussie muscle car after all, and this proves better than I could put into words that Ford has delivered a tough, but oh-so-sweet-to-look-at vehicle to rival HSV's tricked-up troupe of V8s.
Almost all exterior aspects of the FPV sedans have been touched up over the XR8 Falcon, with which they share the intimidating bonnet 'bulge'. One admirer we met in Apollo Bay along the Great Ocean Road mentioned that the lump was more pleasing to him than any scoop or mesh insert from an Evo or a WRX, parting with the words: "Respect the bulge".
The front end has a much larger (lower) air-dam, complete with a mesh covering with FPV insignia. Flanking this are two deeply recessed fog lights, with classy bezels not seen in other XR models.
The side skirts give the car a more ground-hugging profile and help give the wheels a more integrated look, and come complete with faux brake coolers, while the GT/GT-P badging on the sides and the rear is appreciably big and bold.
The bodywork is big, bold, but not overly flashy
The rear wing is large, but not as impractical as you might think.
The wing itself is actually quite thin - yet sturdy - so your rearward vision doesn't suffer too much. There's also grey inserts in the both the front spoiler (lower bumper) and the rear bumper, which helps break up the prime colours and adds a modern touch.
As a whole, both cars look sensational and during a drive from Melbourne to Warrnambool, every time we stopped for a break or for some fuel, people would ask how it goes. "It goes off like a frog in a sock," I'd tell them.
But even when motionless, the cars look determined and aggressive and damn - they're big and imposing too.
The big, flat, low front end is race-car cool, and the rear wing isn't just for drying clothes, and while there is plenty of eye candy on offer, neither car has been overdone to the point of gaudiness.
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