Ford GT
Ford has been toying with the prospect of recreating the GT40 legend almost since the original model went out of production in the late 1960s. The idea had several false starts throughout the 1990s, including the overly angular GT90 concept car. But just as with the original GT40, the current GT comes from a desire to beat the world's best sports carmaker, Ferrari, at its own game.
Like the F430, the GT is a two-seat sports car that features a super-rigid aluminum chassis, a midengine V8 and an advanced, fully independent suspension system. Wrapped around these high-tech components is a classic shell that looks as if it just drove out of the winner's circle at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. In fact, one of the biggest challenges the Ford GT team faced was to develop and combine all of the latest technology in chassis, suspension and engine design while retaining the car's classic body lines. The team succeeded, but only because the current model is much larger overall than the original version. Technically, the area immediately above the driver's and passenger's head isn't the roof, but an extension of each door that wraps well into the roof panel -- just as it did in the original version. This makes getting in and out of the GT a tricky process.
Overall, however, the GT's 550 horsepower and incredibly stable driving dynamics make it one of the most capable cars ever produced. Factor in the car's price, which undercuts similar Italian machinery by tens of thousands of dollars, and you've got a reborn GT that would make Henry Ford II very proud indeed.
A hand-built, all-aluminum 5.4-liter V8 powers the GT. It makes a total of 550 hp at 6,500 rpm with the help of a Lysholm supercharger and intercooler. Peak torque is 500 pound-feet at 3,750 rpm. The engine is hooked to a six-speed Ricardo manual transmission that directs power to the rear wheels. No automatic or sequential manual transmission is offered. The GT's combination of horsepower, torque and 315/40 series rear tires allows the car to slingshot to 60 mph in around 3.5 seconds and shred the quarter-mile in about 12 seconds flat.
The interior is a combination of retro design and advanced materials. The wide gauge cluster, metal shift knob and large toggle switches pay homage to the car's 40-year history, but the magnesium center console with illuminated climate controls offers a futuristic twist. The carbon-fiber seats, center-mounted tachometer and supercharged engine, as seen through the cabin's rear glass, are clear indicators of the Ford GT's primary purpose. A large, red button is used to fire the 550-hp V8.
In February 2006, the Ford Motor Company announced that it will end production of the $150,000 Ford GT high-performance sports car this year after two model years.
The car was intended for a short run, according to Ford. The end of production this year is timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the famous first, second and third place finish of the original Ford GT40 cars, on which the car is closely modeled, in the 1966 LeMans race.
Production of a small number Ford GT's began in 2003, to coincide with Ford Motor Co.'s 100th annviersary. Full-scale production didn't begin until 2004.
While far from a big seller, the GT has been profitable for Ford, spokesman John Harmon said. The company sold about 1,300 GTs last year.
The role of Ford's "performance flagship" will be taken over by the Shelby GT500, a high-performance version of the Ford Mustang. It is scheduled to enter production summer of 2006. |
