2015 Detroit Motor Show: all-new Ford GT supercar showcased
It's been 49 years since the Ford GT racecar debuted at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans and Ford is already prepared to pay homage to its 50-year run next year - Ford has taken the wraps off the latest iteration of its iconic supercar. Making extensive use of carbonfibre and aluminium, the new GT claims to be significantly lighter than its predecessor, but Ford hasn't given out the figures yet.
It still retains the classic shape of the GT which, while making you eat your heart out, is aerodynamic in its own right. It features what look like LED headlamps and has a tailgate that looks very similar to the LaFerrari's rear-end treatment. The icing on the cake however is the pair of round tailpipes mounted in line with the round taillights. Another party piece is the active spoiler which can adjust its height and angle as per the downforce requirement.
Powering the new GT is a mid-mounted twin-turbo EcoBoost engine. Developed using Ford's learnings from the Daytona racing series, the 3.5-litre V6 is good for over 600PS of power. Ford hasn't given out any further details, but boasts that this is the largest capacity production EcoBoost mill. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch unit. The car sits on 20-inch wheels and a torsion-beam / pushrod suspension setup. And helping you ration all that power and speed at hand are carbon-ceramic brake discs.
"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."
The car features butterfly doors and the cockpit is a carbonfibre tub with minimalist cabin design. There is a well-crafted F1-style steering wheel with most of the vehicle controls on the wheel itself, eliminating the need of stalks. The air-con vents are mounted on the door-pads. The instrumentation is a large digital display that is customisable and the infotainment uses Ford's new Sync 3 connectivity system.
Joining a line-up that includes the Focus RS, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350 and the Shelby GT350R, the new GT is one of the 12 performance models that Ford intends to have in the market by 2020. Ford will put the GT into production by late 2016. No, we don't expect it here in India any time soon.
Ford Redefines Innovation in Aerodynamics, EcoBoost and Light-Weighting with All-New Ford GT Carbon Fiber Supercar
| - All-new Ford GT supercar sets new standards for Ford innovation through performance with advances in light-weighting, aerodynamics and ultra-efficient EcoBoost® engine - Ford GT features the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever a new twin-turbocharged Ford EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 horsepower - Ultra-high-performance supercar is Ford's most extreme offering, infused with race-proven technology engineered to keep company with exotics when it goes into production in 2016 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. | |
