When the rumor mill started whispering something about a revived Ford GT, we were a touch skeptical. The GT40 is an icon the world over, a testament to just how far Henry Ford II would go to show Enzo Ferrari how pissed he was at being spurned in an acquisition deal. The Ford GT that was launched ten years ago was a perfect homage to the GT40, complete with screaming soundtrack courtesy of the blown 5.4L V8 from the Lightning and a drop-dead-sexy body. With the recession, worries about EPA numbers, and focus on the new Mustang, could Ford honestly have had the time to design another supercar? And if the rumor mill was right, how in the hell would they win over the enthusiasts with a six-cylinder version?
Somebody at Ford is hell-bent on performance, EPA be damned. Good on them.
Ford today unveiled the all-new GT, an ultra-high-performance supercar that serves as a technology showcase for top EcoBoost® performance, aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fiber construction.
The GT is one of more than 12 new Ford Performance vehicles coming by 2020. It joins Focus RS, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R in the growing Ford Performance lineup.
Beginning production late next year, the GT hits the road in select global markets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ford GT race cars placing 1-2-3 at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“As we at Ford drive innovation into every part of our business, it’s worth remembering that our first innovation as a company was not in a laboratory, but on the racetrack,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and chief executive officer, referring to Henry Ford’s win of a 1901 car race that inspired financial backers to invest in his company. “We are passionate about innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”
The all-new GT supercar features rear-wheel drive, a mid-mounted engine, and a sleek, aerodynamic, two-door coupe body shell. It is propelled by the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever – a next-generation twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 horsepower.
The GT makes extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon fiber and aluminum – enabling outstanding acceleration and handling with improved efficiency.
Ford’s commitment to and capability in delivering technologies typically offered only in elite vehicles is evident in the GT. These include advanced active aerodynamics, such as a deployable rear spoiler, and a host of material and technology innovations to help better serve the driver, such as SYNC® 3 – the latest version of Ford’s advanced connectivity system.
“The GT is the ultimate execution of an enthusiast supercar,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “GT includes innovations and technologies that can be applied broadly across Ford’s future product portfolio – another proof point that Ford continues raising the performance bar while ultimately improving vehicles for all of our customers.”
Carbon fiber innovation
Few innovations provide a more wide-ranging performance and efficiency advantage than reducing weight. All factors of a vehicle’s capabilities – acceleration, handling, braking, safety, efficiency – can improve through the use of advanced, lighter materials.The all-new GT features advanced lightweight composites, which will help serve Ford’s entire product lineup moving forward. With the broad application of structural carbon fiber elements, the GT will exhibit one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car.
Anchored by a carbon fiber passenger cell, the GT features aluminum front and rear subframes encapsulated in structural carbon fiber body panels. Carbon fiber is one of the world’s strongest materials for its mass – enabling an ultra-stiff foundation for chassis components, while creating a lighter overall package for increased dynamic performance and efficiency.
Most powerful production EcoBoost ever
Ford EcoBoost technology is available in every new Ford car, utility and light-duty pickup in North America beginning this year.EcoBoost engines power a growing number of Ford performance models, including the new Mustang, just-announced F-150 Raptor, as well as Fiesta ST and Focus ST.
Based on the same race-proven engine architecture serving Ford’s IMSA Daytona Prototype endurance racing efforts, the next-generation twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 in the GT features a wide powerband with impressive time-to-torque characteristics.
The engine demonstrates remarkable efficiency – a key attribute of its endurance racing-derived powertrain, where exceptional performance combined with efficiency is a critical competitive advantage.
Ford’s twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 raced to three wins in its first season of the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in 2014, including a win in the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring, along with seven podiums over more than 15,000 endurance racing miles.
The GT features an all-new, port/direct dual fuel-injection setup to improve engine response, plus a low-friction roller-finger-follower valvetrain. The twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 will be paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle for near-instantaneous gear changes and exceptional driver control.
Aero innovation gets active
Aerodynamic efficiency is at the heart of the GT design, actively reducing drag while aiding downforce and stability.From its optimum tear-drop shape to its aircraft-inspired fuselage and visibility-enhancing curved windshield, every slope and shape is designed to minimize drag and optimize downforce.
Although each surface on the GT is functionally crafted to manage airflow, it also features fully active aerodynamic components to improve braking, handling and stability.
An active rear spoiler is keyed to both speed and driver input, reactively deploying and adjusting its height and/or pitch angle depending on conditions.
Designed for purpose
While it shares a legacy with classic Ford racing and performance cars, GT is a fully contemporary and functional shape that communicates modernity and pure beauty.The state-of-the-art chassis is suspended by an active racing-style torsion bar and pushrod suspension, with adjustable ride height. The 20-inch wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tires featuring a unique compound and structure designed specifically for the Ford GT. Multi-spoke wheels encircle carbon-ceramic brake discs at all four corners.
The narrow-profile canopy reduces frontal area and caps a purposeful interior that provides state-of-the-art technology to ensure control, comfort and safety. The two-seat cockpit is accessed by upward-swinging doors, and features driver and passenger seats integrated directly into the carbon fiber passenger cell.
This configuration significantly reduces seating hardware and weight, and provides a consistent and direct sensory connection to the chassis. The fixed seating is combined with adjustable pedals and steering column to accommodate a very wide range of driver statures.
An F1-style steering wheel integrates all necessary driver controls, creating a stalkless steering column that allows uncluttered access to the transmission paddle-shift controls. A fully digital and configurable instrument cluster provides a wealth of driver-focused data. The display is configurable for multiple driving environments and different driving modes.
“While we hope enthusiasts rejoice about this all-new GT, all Ford customers will benefit from the ultimate performance Ford and its new-generation innovations,” said Nair.
The new Ford GT looks and the fact they’re bringing it back ? Two thumbs up !
The EcoSnooze V6 they’re stuffing into its middle ?
In light of the overwhelming disappointment and disaster all the EcoSnooze’s have proven to be so far ?
Two huge thumbs down !
And shame on Ford for revealing a freaking illustration of the damn thing at the NAIAS rather than at least a visual prototype
So overall ?
A disappointment to say the least . Score a minus 2 for Ford at this years NAIAS
Now what was that about Ford taking on Ferrari/Audi/Porsche/AudiGhini/C7R at LeMans ? An abject exercise in futility if you ask me .
All the people I know who have EcoBoost trucks have had absolutely positive experiences with them. I’ve seen them at the truck pulls in the lighter classes outpulling a lot of V8 trucks. And good for Ford for trying to move things forward technologically, instead of just jamming the obvious V8 in the back end.
How has the “EcoSnooze” been proven to be a disaster?? You mean because you don’t like it? Back this up, if you would, with some facts. And I don’t mean a link to a forum with some guys spouting off about how they aren’t getting 30mpg in their F150 like they expected. FACT is that the EcoBoost, although not what we are used to, has been a huge success. If it weren’t, they wouldn’t be shoving the damned thing into everything they could. They run well, get comparable gas mileage as it’s V8 counterparts, and are highly tunable. And lots of low end torque. Face it, although they don’t have the sound of the V8s we know and love, this is the technology of the future. Same (or better) performance in a smaller, more efficient package. Look at the new Mustangs. With a simple tune and some bolt-ons, they are already in the 11s. We all love that howl of a pushrod (or modular) V8….but don’t call the EcoBoost a “disappointment and disaster” just because you don’t personally like it. You’re just plain wrong.
I’m wrong ? No ! Sorry son but when it comes to the EcoSnooze POS its more a case of you either being A) severely misinformed B) deluded by Ford propaganda , or C) you’re a Ford shill .
From the content and tone of your reply – I’ll guess ;
C !
I’ll take D) smart enough to know success when I see it. Face it, it’s a success across the board in every model. Fine me a reputable article disputing this. Once again, Ford wouldn’t be doing so much with it if it was a flop. Common sense.
My guesses for you: A) You’d spec a new dream truck out with an FE engine and no power button thingys and cassette (only if it was a no-charge option)… B) You’re actually the Chevy Silvaraydo guy under cover or C) You’re too old school to realize that you live in the past so you survive by trolling online and telling the neighborhood kids about the good ‘ol days, and to stay off your lawn. I’ll take all of the above. And, honey, I’m not your son.
You ask for proof and dude says brand propaganda. He’s got nothing. Just a caveman that can’t let go of he past.
Uhhhh they rolled the car out at Detroit. We’re not there so we used the illustrations.
How is the EcoBoost a failure again?
Seriously ? So what ? Missed out on all the abjectly miserable reviews across the board , all the reliability complaints right out of the box , as well as the hundreds customer complaints coming from every direction with ALL the EcoSnooze engines ? Fact is ever since its release [ especially in the F150 ] I’ve yet to see one solitary positive comment on the piles of _____ ! Excepting of course the rare deluded owner suffering from a severe case of PDVS – (Post Decision Validation Syndrome ) And you call yourself an automotive journalist ? Not to mention the rest of you calling yourselves informed automotive enthusiasts ?
As to the illustration though Mr Lohnes . Unless each and every automotive journalist in the business [ including AW etc etc ] isn’t there as well you haven’t missed out on anything and no blame can be placed your way . THAT … was a Ford screw up . Not yours or B/S’s
As for Teddy’s comment ? Sorry pal . But thats a bet you’ll lose . Hands down ! No questions asked . Ford’s gonna get an International black eye out of this GT . Unfortunately
Only my girlfriends call me Teddy. You may want the job, but sorry, you’re not my type.
TJ, do you even watch road racing? F1, WEC, GT, etc. are all migrating to turbos and/or hybrids. You don’t know what you are talking about.
“Now what was that about Ford taking on Ferrari/Audi/Porsche/AudiGhini/C7R at LeMans ? An abject exercise in futility if you ask me ”
Mark down the day and time you said those words.
Oh wait, it already is marked down.
I bet we won’t here one peep from you if the do spank every one at Le Mans.
Wait…
Audighini???
Welcome back Guitar Slinger. I thought you had to leave us?
It’s not guitarslinger. He was pro Ford anything….
Hate to tell you this Tedly ole bean . But from the UK to the US and all places in between AudiGhini is a commonly used derogatory term used by genuine and informed enthusiasts when it comes to the travesties that Lamborghini’s have become since being bought by VW-Audi AG
As to the wager ? You’re on ! All bets are the Ford GT doesn’t even make it past 12 hours .
What’s your terms?
WOW! This sure smells of Guitarslinger / Coloradokid.
I hoped that zero was gone.
If it’s got the balls to back up the risky move away from the V8, I’ll be happy.
That’s a tall order though.
Of course the closest I’ll get to one is maybe catching sight of it on the highway, so I doubt Ford is too concerned about my opinion.
That’s it Ford? A handful of computer-rendered images?
Where is the real concept car to drool over?
Must be cheaper to pay outsourced computer geeks to build “what-if” cars in their virtual garages to race on virtual tracks….all to impress prospective virtual buyers.
It’s a fully functional car. Chill.
It aint ___ till its real . And right now . It aint ! Real that is Tedly ole bean . Vaporware imagery and Ford sputtering on about nothing . Which is to say at this point in time
It Aint $**t !
The car was rolled out in Detroit. The real 100% production car. As Brian posted they aren’t at the show so they used the renderings. Why don’t your read something before spewing your “knowledge”
Oh really ? Then why is it NO ONE from Jalopnik to AW and all websites/journalists etc in between ( I’ve been looking all morning ) has one single solitary photo posted , with each to to a number posting one of two sets of illustrations ?
Got an answer for that ?
No ? Didn’t think so . So until the proof is there for the viewing its just a mass of Zero’s & One’s in the form of an illustration and nothing real about it
PJ
But wait . Theres more ! Care to expound further on your overall knowledge ?
No ? Didn’t think so on that one either .
Here’s a hint though . Before criticizing someone else’s comments you might want to take a minute or two and check into the Facts yourself before shoving your foot firmly down your throat . And on that last . May I offer you a splash of Brown Sauce to help that foot go down ?
http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum/bangshift/general-discussion/999117-new-ford-gt-revealed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u4p-TFEH6yc
http://jalopnik.com/ford-gt-this-is-it-1678893649
Can’t have been looking very hard.
“The Smoking Tire” had a guy there. He even had a camera.
http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2015/nyias-2015-ford-is-just-killing-it/
Pretty good videos up of this fake car you dumbass. Sounds nasty too. This troll is just looking for an argument. I used to do this on forums too, then I moved out of my parents house and got a life.
Jeff just won the internet.
It should be pretty zippy. The press release touts 600 hp and all the lightweight components…what do you think it’ll weigh?
That’s gotta be a 3,000 lb car. It’ll haul ass, no doubt of that.
AWESOME!!
I have no problems with the Ecoboost v6, except it doesn’t have the supercar soundtrack that I like. Guess they could pipe it in through the speakers like they do with the new 4cly Mustangs….
The good news is that many supercars (or hypercars or whatever they call this new breed of awesome) don’t have V8s, but still sound incredible. I’d bet this thing will sound rowdy. Like, high-revving, ear-splitting, rowdy. Think of early Dodge V10 trucks (sound like hell) versus how early Vipers (with nearly the same engine) sound….
The guys hating on ecoboost technology will be the one being left behind in making real power. Less cubes, less weight, its that simple. I’ll take a turbo anything that makes the same power as its 2 more piston counterpart. I bet this car comes in under 3000lbs in race trim. Do the math, it won’t be slow, old school is cool but it is just that, old. i love my classic camaro, but it will have a modern drivetrain in it, maybe even a direct injected TT v6.
Yeah . You just keep on believing all the rhetoric and propaganda , all while those over stressed little turbo EcoSnooze pos self destruct one by one way before their time
You were already called out on any evidence of the ecoboost being a failure. So the burden of proof is on you.
Guitarslinger/Coloradokid whatever your calling yourself please go back to trolling whatever bridge you crawled out from under.
Thankyou,
The Internet.
Wow, you are ticking every box that tells me to ignore anything that comes out of your mouth.
“Rhetoric”, “propaganda”, “shill”, lame derogatory nick names for anything you don’t like… These are all signs of someone who has confused their opinion with facts and won’t let actual facts sway them.
this guy is even more full of hate than the “Slinger”! It’s somewhat entertaining, especially seeing the “true believer” refuse to let actual facts and data sway his opinion. We’re all simply idiots for not adopting his dogma.
So TJ, would you prefer the GT have an FE engine? Or does that suck too? Maybe a Y-block? No? Flathead, yeah that’s it!
If it is Guitar Slinger back again, he’s probably sulking because he got found out so quickly.
If it’s someone else, they really need to get laid.
Why couldn’t it be a small inch ecoboost V-8 Every body would be pleased
I was hoping for a moderate to big inch Eco V8, but that’s just me.
I was kind of expecting the GT350’s flat-plane 5.2L. But I won’t bitch. Ford’s EcoBoost program seems damn fine to me. Rode in an F-150 EcoBoost and was impressed by how that thing ran. And that Focus ST absolutely hauls the mail. I get strafed by those things all the time and I don’t even try to chase them down. Now, if only they’d give us a Fusion EcoBoost.
Yeah,I was hoping for a variation on the boosted flat plane too. Maybe that’s coming down the pike.
There are EcoBoost Fusions, just not the fun V6 ones yet. It’s got the little 1.5 EcoBoost and the 2.0 EcoBoost.
It comes down to packaging and aero. if you look at the back of the car they slimmed it way down, It comes down to making the center pod as small as possible thus reducing drag. if you can make a race car equally as fast with less motor you use less fuel, therefore you make less pit stops. See where this logic is going…
It was built for LeMans, so that logic is sound.
Wow, ya all got ole TJ wound up today. LMAO. Yes there are pics of it rolling out onto the stage, I can’t tell who was driving it but there is a man sitting in it and it rolls out onto a turntable. If you look closely it looks like it says Ecobeast on the engine cover.
What can I say? Sometimes it can be fun disassembling idiots. 🙂
It’s hilarious. Anyway I work at Ford dealer and yes, when they first came out in the pickups they had a few issues but they seem to doing just fine now. Almost every brand new technology usually has some bugs to work out. I know the Ecoboost engines in all the different forms and different cars are all fun to drive.
Have now seen new pics of the GT and it don’t look like it does say Ecobeast on the cover after all. So is there another new engine yet to come out?
In fairness to TJ, there was an issue with the intercoolers (I think) doing their job too well and actually causing condensation in the intake tract, which would trigger them to go into limp mode. As you said, this seems to have been rectified.
Christ, just what the internet needs another know-it-all blowhard…like there arent enough already.. I have no facts but I will argue the validity of my statement by attacks on you….blah blah blah..douche…
And, onto the car…Meh…does not do anything for me…..
HAHA nice name!
“Now what was that about Ford taking on Ferrari/Audi/Porsche/AudiGhini/C7R at LeMans ? An abject exercise in futility if you ask me .”
Where is the chicken farmer when you need him? I think I recall a little ford taking on Le Mans and the Ferraris………
That guy, I mean wtf. Audighini? Lmao. I frequent every message board and comment section of note to do with F1 and road racing. Most of the users on them are either Brits or continentals. Trust me, if that actually was “a commonly used derogatory term used by genuine and informed enthusiasts when it comes to blah blah blah”, I’d know about it. Most of them call it VAG, for Volkswagen Audi Group. Which is also silly sounding but at least it’s not contrived.
No problem. Will just pipe the 5.0 sound through the speakers
Eco Boost is the direction Ford is going , it only makes sense for Ford to use one in thier Halo car.
I have an eco truck ,power we got power. Anybody who has rented a U Haul knows that non of them are lite wieghts I added just over 1000 lbs in one 6ft wide 7ft inside 12 ft long Tag on the trailer said it wieghed 4800 lbs so even though I only had 5900lbs in it the truck seemed to not even know it was there. Except the mileage TANKED 8-10 at 70mph, Texas we dont do 55mph lol. But even slowing it just picked up to 12. With the trailer,and it seems any trailer,it is always in boost.
Even empty in Texas driving ,70-85 is normal and legal, I cant get anywhere near the “sticker” mileage on the highway. Yes I know tune it blah blah blan.
I would like to see what the mileage would do if the engine stayed out of boost till 2100 rpm in 6th gear.
Wow, yet again, cockarado douchebag rears his message of distaste for anything out of the norm on this sight. Could he even afford one?, doubt it. Will he ever get the chance to even sit in one?, probably not. In stead, he chooses to bash a car that he proclaims to know everything about and belittle an engine family which has already proven its self in many different displacements and applications. So unfortunate that such a small penis man can spout his bullshit about yet another potentially awesome automobile from behind his computer in his parents basement.
I loved reading this TJ clown harping on EcoBoost.
At its heart, it’s all tech that’s been around for decades: turbo and direct injection; two things that have been powering modern big-rigs and diesels without serious issue. If it works for them, it stands to reason that it should work for gas engines.
As far as teething issues, yeah, there were a few problems early on, and the MPG numbers weren’t matching up, but as was already said: name one new tech that is completely problem-free at launch.
I’m not sure what all the ecoboost bashing is about, but I guess some guys are just terrified by change.
I sort of think it’s cool that modern muscle car hypo versions have left the 600HP figure in the dust, and any modern diesel pick up truck now sports torque and HP numbers that a couple decades ago could only be found in semi trucks.
I have a friend who tows a 35ft travel trailer, and a 29ft toy hauler (not at the same time mind you).
He’s pulled both trailers with several different trucks over the past few years, including a 5.4 superduty, a 6.0 diesel superduty, and now he’s on his second 3.5 ecoboost F150 lease with no thoughts of going back to a V8 or a diesel for that matter.
This guy tows cross country with his family, not a weekend warrior going 150 miles at a time, but from Detroit to the pan handle of Florida every December 26, you know, trips where you really have to count on your truck to not break down. Let’s not forget the new trucks don’t just have different engines, but also 6 speed (or more for the Dodge) automatics, integrated trailer brake controllers, and lots of other gadgets that make towing trailers much easier and safer.