For the longest time, Ford was staunchly resistant to giving up details about the new Ford GT. With the automaker abandoning its 5.4 liter supercharged modular V8 for a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6, everyone wanted to know the numbers. However, anytime someone asked for definitive specifications, Ford shrugged its shoulders. Then, today, the company gave us some numbers and proclaimed the second-generation 3.5-liter as its most powerful production EcoBoost to date, making the Ford GT the company’s fastest car to date.
Hold the phone. Are you telling us that the extremely expensive supercar that Ford specifically engineered to be the fastest vehicle in the company’s entire history somehow managed to out-perform cars like the Fiesta ST and Focus RS on a racetrack?
Absolutely incredible.
Peevishness aside, Ford says the new GT also bests the McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 458 Speciale on the Calabogie Motorsports Park race circuit by a fair margin. Calabogie is three-mile Canadian course with a lot of sweeping turns and some elevation changes that any of the three vehicles should have been adept at tackling. While it is safe to assume all of the vehicles were lapped using a driver on Ford’s payroll, the GT managed a 2:09.8 time — swift for any road vehicle on that particular circuit.
The technical specs are impressive, too. According to Ford, the GT’s powerband is wide enough to produce 90 percent of its 550 pounds-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. Horsepower is a supercar-acceptable 647 ponies, propelling the vehicle to top speed of 216 miles an hour.
“The Ford GT is all about performance,” said Raj Nair, Ford’s executive VP for global product development and the chief technical officer. “We achieved considerable weight savings with the carbon fiber architecture. We then reinvested some of that savings into where it counts most – performance, specifically, the active dynamics. The result is an even faster car.”
Ford claims the model’s active-aero and smart suspension dynamics are designed to give the GT optimum downforce at any speed, giving novice and experience drivers an easier to work with setup.
If you’re looking for a power-to-weight ratio, it is my duty to tell you that we cannot give you one. Ford listed the GT’s dry weight as “just topping 3,000 pounds” and somewhere between a Ferrari 488 GTB and the aforementioned McLaren. My guess is that the Blue Oval’s indefinite answer to heft has something to do with a power-to-weight ratio that is slightly weaker than the 488’s.
Production of the GT is being handled by Multimatic, based in Markham, Ontario. Despite the limited production of 250 vehicles per year, the first units have already been delivered — perhaps one of those owners would be kind enough to weigh one.
[Image: Ford Motor Co.]
Ford attempting to divert attention from its Chinese quality Mustangs?
Huh????
Forget it, Al’s on a roll.
I’m old, is “on a roll” slang for fentanyl?
Noooo, surely not… but then are you attempting to divert attention from the GT?
Yup. I’m very disappointed in Ford. I especially liked the Mustang and Ford’s intent on producing a global pony car.
But, Ford fncked it big time.
Yes yes, I know all about your disappointment in Ford. But I thought that had something to do with a particular metal that was sure to destroy the sales success of a certain truck line?
I’m not anti Ford.
I actually gave Ford accolades for the Mustang and Ranger in particular.
Two largish vehicles on the global market.
The alumium F150 is a waste of resources that could of been better used.
“I’m not anti Ford.”
Putin’s sex tap says otherwise.
“I’m not anti Ford”
Sometimes it’s just downright difficult to convince yourself is it not?
Lou,
Do you often have fantasies of sexual misconduct? Odd.
If being “Chinese” gets a fast fun to drive car for not a lot of money, with a dose of practicality, refinement and good looks, well what’s your problem? If you want Lexus build quality Coupe equivalent with a dose of over styling for twice the money, there is the gauche RC.
Absolutely stunning car. Can’t wait to see some third party test results.
Seriously Ford, why can’t we test drive this thing already? :)
How long until Sajeev’s brother gets his?
I’m guessing 6+ months.
Had a friend go through the process in 2005, the hoops he had to jump through were peanuts compared to the current GT. I’d rather be subjected to a BCI check than this hooptala.
Unless you own a Ford dealership, you can forget about getting anywhere near one of these, so who cares?
.
.
Unless you’re an astronaut you can’t go to the moon, so who cares about the moon, right?
I guess if you’re into cars, how can you not care?
Hwell, it’s the fastest thing Multimatic has made and slapped a Ford badge on…AMIRITE?!?!
Sure, just like the original GT40 was not a Ford, but it was.
2017 Ford GT vs 2004 Ford GT vs Ford GT40. I think they did a good job of updating the GT profile with modern styling touches, like the Focus shaped grill.
https://flic.kr/p/RngLCk
https://flic.kr/p/Ruu7W5
https://flic.kr/p/QjjVBV
Yes, Multimatic is ultimately the company building the car, but Ford designed it, engineered it, marketed it, and it’s full of Ford parts. It’s a Ford.
There is a long history of big car companies jobbing out work, including complete assembly of vehicles. Ford sent Mustang body shells to Kar Kraft, which rebuilt the front end, including replacing the inner fenders/shock towers to allow room for the big motor in the Boss 429 Mustangs. The COPO Camara NHRA certified drag racrs Chevy sells are assembled by an outside company. Roush puts together the Drag Pak Challenger. The ’93 Corvette ZR1 had an engine designed by Lotus (which GM owned at the time) which was then assembled by Mercury Marine. Valmet in Finland has assembled Porsches, Saabs, and currently builds cars for Mercedes-Benz. Magna is going to be building the BMW 5 Series
But will it pass those darned European crash tests?
@e30gator
Probably not. Current F150 would fail as well
“So certain are you? Always with you what cannot be done!”
Adventure…heh. Excitement…heh. A Jedi craves not these things.
BTW, Episode VIII’s title is “The Last Jedi”. So…either Luke dies, Rey dies, or Rey’s the only Jedi left after Luke b*tches out to his hideaway again.
But Jedi can be singular or plural.
Well, the Mustang didn’t fail the test, it got a low score though, in no small part because Ford didn’t include additional safety features, including active avoidance equipment. Same car got a good score in US testing.
The F150? You mean the highest rated full size truck in safety in the United States. Even the worse rated F150, the 2015 Supercab is rated higher than curent Rams and GM twins in total safety.
Ford Finally Releases Specs, Says the GT Is the Fastest Thing It has Ever Commissioned.
There, fixed it for ya
Going back to the GT40 roots. The GT 40 MkI and MKII were both built on Lola chassis. Ford established Ford Advanced Vehicles Ltd, a new subsidiary under the direction of John Wyer, to manage the GT40 project. All used Ford engines. Nothing new here, move along.
This car makes me feel all kinds of patriotic. I love that it exists, even if the chances of me ever getting near it are bleak. And I actually like Ford’s process of selecting the buyers, because it’s keeping this car from being bought up by collectors and stored away, rather than driven.
“And I actually like Ford’s process of selecting the buyers, because it’s keeping this car from being bought up by collectors and stored away, rather than driven.”
Given that 70% of selected GT applicants are previous GT owners I’d wager there are a fair amount of collectors. A friends father n law hit the lottery and ordered himself a red with white striped ’05, so if a hack like himself can be a recipient then no doubt can a collector be one as well.
I still think it would be cooler with a twin turbo 4 liter modular V8.
It bests two exotic cars that are significantly less expensive than it is? It better!
I love this car, but I love the 2005 a lot more, because it undercut the competition.
There was something very honest about the 2005 GT that seems to be missing here. This new car is beautiful and technologically impressive, but also a bit pretentious and flashy in a way the 2005 never was.
The second gen cars were never meant to win a race. The new GT is more racecar than road car.
I cant remember who said it but a competitor said Ford was running the most advanced aero in its class this year.
Exactly. The GT40 had the latest tech and aero in it’s day, it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans four consecutive times, from 1966 to 1969.
Likewise, the 2017 GT also has the latest tech and aero, and won the 2016 La Mans.
Pretty stout, but my fave in Forza is the original. Weird fast little V8 go kart that takes a good effort to put through a corner.
Nice Taurus V6 powered Ford.
“Taurus” power wins LeMan 2016. Not unlike the “Fairlane” powered GT40 that won LeMan in 65, 66, 67 huh?
Yes, that’s just how good the Taurus V6 is! ;)
But can it beat the old tech Viper ACR around a track?