Photos: Ford Australia

Down under, cars grow a little differently than they do here. Its always exciting to watch what the Aussies do when the rules are a little looser. For example, Ford Performance Vehicles took the 5.0-liter V8 recently introduced in the 2011 Mustang and immediately threw a supercharger on top.

Working with local experts to get the fitment optimized, their Coyote V8 now pushes out just shy of 450 hp at 5750 rpm, plus a gratifying level of torque – 420 ft-lb across the range from about 2200 rpm to just under 6000 rpm. Those are the kind of numbers that would even get your Aunt Gertrude excited.

Dropping this engine into a Ford Australia Falcon and supplementing the production car with a shopping list of performance upgrades, the family sedan becomes a V8 supercar called the GT-P. The Brembo braking package puts 4-piston calipers up front with 14-inch drilled and vented rotors. A Tremec 6060 manual transmission is standard with an optional ZF 6-speed automatic in the wings.

Taking a page from the latest North American Mustang, the GT-P uses the engine’s PCM (Powertrain Control Module) to modify and enhance the exhaust’s sounds quality at different driving stages. Visual distinction for the GT-P comes from a black chrome front grille, distinctive 19-inch wheels and a striking “Boss 335” stripe package.

The overall combination of performance and presentation has Aussie enthusiasts bubbling, as in the video review below.