All-new, carbon-fiber, mid-engined Ford GT supercar concept will enter production later this year.
When Ford unveiled the Ford GT concept in 2002, people got excited. When they put it into production in 2005 people got really excited. When they discontinued it in 2006, people got a little bit less excited. And now in 2015, with the introduction of the all-new Ford GT at the Detroit Auto Show people are going f***ing nuts.
The all-new Ford GT is set for a 2016 production date, which also marks 50 years since the historic 1,2,3 win at Le Mans in 1966 with a trio of Ford GT40s. Just like the previous Ford GT, the new supercar takes some inspiration from the original car. But whereas its predecessor was more or a modern-day clone, the 2016 car is much more abstract.
The 2016 Ford GT also marks a departure from the V8 engine, and instead it features a twin-turbocharged 3.5 litre EcoBoost V6. But before anyone starts booing the loss of two cylinders, that V6 manages to produce over 600 horsepower, and is packed full of race-bred technologies, including an all-new, port/direct dual fuel-injection setup to improve engine response, plus a low-friction roller-finger-follower valvetrain. The transmission of choice is a seven-speed dual-clutch unit which Ford say offers near-instantaneous gear changes.
The chassis of the new Ford GT supercar is high-tech and lightweight, in fact Ford are keen to point out that although the car (only) packs around 600 horsepower, it will offer one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car. The lightweight recipe starts with a carbon fiber passenger safety cell and structural carbon fiber body panels, and is aided by the addition of aluminium front and rear subframes.
The state-of-the-art chassis features an active racing-style torsion bar and pushrod suspension system with adjustable ride height. The 20-inch wheels are matched with Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tires featuring a unique compound and structure designed specifically for the car. Powerful carbon-ceramic brake discs can be found at all four corners.
In addition to a lightweight construction method, the new Ford GT will also benefit from active aerodynamics designed to offer the best of both worlds by increasing downforce and high-speed stability, while also reducing drag and improving cooling airflow to critical areas like the engine and brakes. The active rear spoiler is keyed to both speed and driver input, reactively deploying and adjusting its height and/or pitch angle depending on conditions.
The two-seat cockpit of the Ford GT is accessed by upward-swinging doors, and not the conventionally hinged doors with roof cut-outs as used in both the previous car and the original GT40. Both seats are integrated directly into the carbon fiber passenger cell. This configuration significantly reduces seating hardware and weight. The fixed seating is combined with adjustable pedals and steering column to accommodate a wide range of driver sizes.
A multi-function race-style steering wheel houses all necessary driver controls, creating an unusual stalkless steering column that only plays host to the transmission paddle-shift controls. The gauge cluster is a fully digital and configurable unit. The display is configurable for multiple driving environments and different driving modes.
Ford haven’t yet revealed the performance specifications for the new GT yet as it is still in development. But with the engine’s power output being at least 50 hp more than its predecessor, and with the weight also being trimmed, it will most certainly out perform it in every single way.
* Video 2 – 2016 Ford GT – Exterior Walkaround – 2015 Detroit Auto Show
* Video 3 – All new 2016 Ford GT Supercar
Detroit 2015
Image Credit: Copyright 2015 Drew Phillips
Ford GT
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Press Release
Jan 12, 2015 | Detroit
“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.