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Ford Introduces 360-Degree Virtual Reality App With Ford GT Action

Ford Introduces 360-Degree Virtual Reality App With Ford GT Action

In addition to building exciting cars and trucks, Ford is always looking to expand the experience for customers and it’s latest release is the new FordVR App, a free downloadable App that puts you trackside at one of the biggest auto races in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ford Introduces 360-Degree Virtual Reality App With Ford GT action and there’s more to come.

With the App, you’ll experience the sights, the sounds, and up-close action from pit lane, to being right there in the car with the drivers, and all from the comfort of your own home. The new Ford virtual reality app makes all of this possible. Launching today for iOS and Android users in the United States, Ford’s new virtual reality app delivers a powerful storytelling platform for consumers and fans to experience Ford innovations like never before.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to provide truly immersive experiences that showcase the best of Ford Motor Company,” says Lisa Schoder, Ford digital marketing manager. “Our virtual reality platform allows us to tell dramatic, impactful stories, to show a surprising side of Ford.”

The first piece of featured content is the story behind the all-new Ford GT’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Fifty years after the original victory, the innovative balance of power and efficiency in Ford’s EcoBoost® engine delivered an incredible class win earlier this year.
“Just as Ford GT goes beyond the traditional at Ford, our entry into virtual reality content creation demonstrates how our passion for innovation permeates every piece of our business and offers a new touch point for tech-savvy consumers to connect with our brand,” says Schoder.
To help achieve its goals, Ford partnered with integrated production company Tool of North America, a leader in virtual reality and 360-degree content and mobile app creation. Tool has won numerous awards for innovation in storytelling, including Emmys, The One Show, South by Southwest, AICP and the Cannes Lions Palme d’Or.
“As an auto and racing enthusiast, I was inspired by the opportunity and the challenge of helping the iconic Ford brand make its virtual reality debut,” says Erich Joiner, director and founder, Tool of North America. “For the innovative Ford GT, I wanted to create something that gives people an exciting virtual reality experience beyond the traditional. I wanted to use the immersive technology not only to transport them to a new place, but to take them where only a special few from the Ford racing team typically go – inside the famed track at Le Mans.”

The Ford virtual reality app is accessible to anyone with a mobile device. Each piece of content offers users the option to experience it with a virtual reality headset, but headsets are not mandatory.
Ford virtual reality app users can expect the next story to debut in September, featuring Hoonigan Racing’s Ken Block and Ford Focus RS RX. Users with their push notifications turned on will get the update when new content goes live. The new virtual reality platform goes beyond showcasing Ford Performance vehicles.
“On top of sharing virtual reality stories about our innovative products, we are also looking to bring mobility issues to the forefront,” says Schoder. “As we expand our business to be both an auto and a mobility company, we are pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility.”
More than just showing you racing, this takes you behind the scenes for an unparalleled experience and we imagine that virtual reality will continue to reshape the way consumers interact with brands and engage in storytelling; more than 1 million New York Times subscribers received a virtual reality experience tied to a weekend edition.

This entry was posted in News, New Video and tagged Brothers Performance, ford, evan smith, evan j smith, ford gt, ford performance, le mans, revan media, 24 hours of le mans, racing, rev an media, virtual reality on August 18, 2016 by Evan Smith.
Cars & Coffee This Saturday!

Join us this Saturday, July 9th, for our monthly Cars & Coffee event. Check out the cars and get free dyno runs on a first-come first-served basis (arrive early, as the list fills up fast).

Yes it will be hot this weekend, but you can enjoy the show from the comfort of our 9,000 sq. ft. air-conditioned showroom.

This entry was posted in Cars & Coffee Events and tagged Brothers Performance, cars and coffee, dyno day, free dyno on July 7, 2016 by Brothers Performance.
Shelby Revives the Terlingua Racing Team 2016 Ford Mustang

Shelby Revives the Terlingua Racing Team 2016 Ford Mustang

In 2007 Shelby American brought back a piece of Mustang racing history with release of the limited-edition V6 Terlingua Mustang that paid homage to the 1967 Trans Am championship-winning Terlingua Racing Team. Well, Shelby has done it again, as Shelby Revives the Terlingua Racing Team 2016 Ford Mustang, but this time the Shelby packs a 5.0L V8, supercharger and 750 horsepower!

The Terlingua Racing Team, headed by Carroll Shelby and Bill Neale, was so much more than a racing team, the gang would hunt, ride motorcycles and tear up on a 200,000-acre ranch in Texas. They also created a technical school for young men in the desolate region of Texas.

"The Terlingua Racing Team was created in the 1960s to have a lot of fun for a lot of people," said Bill Neale, designer of the famous Terlingua Racing Team Crest. "Our rough and ready group was as passionate about playing as we were about racing. From our wild weekends on the Rio Grande in South Texas to racetracks across the world, the Terlingua Racing Team took no prisoners. The team crest and racing livery that I designed came to symbolize that raucous, irreverent lifestyle that thumbed its nose at the establishment."

“This car will have more of the cult following from customers who appreciate not only performance, but the history,” said Shelby expert Scott Black. They want to experience bleeding edge technology but yet be very focused on Americana and have a connection to the Shelby legacy and the racing history.”

Shelby will build a limited run of 75 post-title Terlingua Racing Team Mustangs (50 for the U.S market and 25 will be sold internationally) that will be built around the wildly popular 2015-2016 Ford Mustang GT. “The Shelby Terlingua is our most track-inspired Mustang and is built as a tribute to the Terlingua Racing Team and their 1967 Trans Am Championship,” said Gary Schechner, VP of Marketing and Sales at Shelby American.

Power comes from an intercooler and yellow-powdercoated Whipple supercharger that produces 750 hp. Handling is improved with an adjustable Eibach suspension and the Mustang is fortified with a Shelby clutch, Barton shifter, Ford Performance half-shafts and a Brembo Big Brake kit for racetrack-proven performance. It also features 20-inch Weld Racing wheels, Michelin tires, tons of Shelby-designed carbon fiber components and the distinct Terlingua Racing Team badging.

Brothers Performance recently put the 2016 Terlingua Mustang through its paces at Spring Mountain Motorsport Ranch about an hour outside of Las Vegas. The Mustang is amazingly fast, but is also very easy to drive at speed. Shelby engineers have created a track-ready Mustang that has endless power, predictable handling and killer brakes.

The suspension enhancements and cooling features let you get out there and run hard all day, without fear of overheating the engine or brakes. “The Eibach suspension is comfortable on the street, but performs on the track,” stated Vince LaViolette, lead designer and test driver for Shelby. “Our goal is to let you to run a full day on track without touching the car. We’ve incorporated 2.5-inch cooling ducts and we pick up air from the nose of the car.” To achieve maximum performance, Shelby chose adjustable dampers and rear toe bar, along with progressive springs, and IRS mounting enhancements to resist deflection. We pushed the bright-yellow screamer to the limit. Shelby enhancements to the S550 chassis let us brake late, turn in aggressively and get off the corners with massive grunt. And we loved the sound pouring from the Ford Performance Borla pipes. But despite being lowered and stiffened, the ride quality was suitable for daily driving.

The Terlingua is a real in-your-face track killer. It’s not shy, sporting racing stickers, carbon fiber hood and racing roundels. And while we’re featured the traditional scheme, the Terlingua post-title package can be added to any color Mustang GT, although owners will be limited to a yellow or black hood. Furthermore, each Terlingua is serialized and will feature a dash plaque with autograph of Bill Neale (a Terlingua founder and designer of the racing team crest), Carroll Shelby and Jerry Titus, the 1967 Trans Am Champion winning driver. Shelby Terlingua package is offered starting at $65,999.

This entry was posted in News, Opinion, 2016 Mustang News and tagged Brothers Performance, Eibach, las vegas, carbon fiber, evan j smith, 2016 shelby gt350, track, shelby mustang, texas, ford performance, 2015 shelby super snake, Ford Mustang, Whipple, terlingua, borla, jerry titus on May 3, 2016 by Evan Smith.
Picking Up My New 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Picking Up My New 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

If there’s one perk to working in the magazine industry, it’s vehicle testing. In the past 20 years, I’ve been lucky enough to have track tested basically every new Mustang Ford has built. This includes SVT Cobras, Cobra R models, GT500s, Bosses and all the base models. And let's not forget the mass of Roush, Saleen or Steeda Mustangs. These special Mustangs always took performance to a higher level. I’ve also driven a few prototypes including a special V10 Mustang that you may have not heard about, the supercharged Super Stallion, the big-block Shotgun 1994 Boss and the current crop of Cobra Jets.

Most recently, I slipped into the new Shelby GT350 and the GT350R and I was fortunate enough to makes laps at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, known for its all-mightly corkscrew corner. The corkscrew is one of the most challenging in all of racing, but the GT350R ate it up.

I was mesmerized by the sound of the 526 horsepower flat-plane crankshaft V8 engine. Its noise was euphoric as it poured its guts out emitting a wicked howl. The GT350 is also nimble and athletic. After a few laps at the I press launch, I realized this "taste" of the GT350 wasn’t going to fulfill my desires.

To be honest, I’d never been so in tune with a Mustang, at least not since purchasing my original 1987 5.0 LX. Sure, the 662 horsepower of the 2014 Shelby GT500 had my attention, but I’ve always been a bigger fan of naturally aspirated engines, and Ford simply nailed with this one. The GT350 is refined and plenty fast. Frankly, I had to have one.

My chance came months later, when I ordered my 2016 Shelby GT350 from Buhler Ford in Eatontown, New Jersey. The price was right, so I began on ford.com, building the car “my” way. There’s not a ton of options to select from: you can choose between the base car, a Technology Pack, Track Pack or the R version.

Knowing I would drive my Mustang often and hit the track, I went with the GT350 with the Track Pack. This would give me the desired on-track performance thanks to the engine, transmission and rear-end coolers, plus the awesome Recaro seats and Magneride suspension would add to the raciness. As for colors, I selected Deep Impact Blue with black stripes.

As luck would have it, I was in Detroit the week my Ford rolled down the line, so I even had the chance rare to watch my Mustang being built at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant. But nothing compared to the day I arrived at the dealer to pick it up. I was thrilled to see the car, finally complete. It didn’t seem real, until I signed on the dotted line and drove it away. I was ready to drive this Mustang, so I hopped it, picked up my buddy Mike Ficcaci and headed home to Florida.

My GT350 now has 1,300 miles on it and I plan to keep it rolling. Next stop is the NMRA event in Bradenton on the first weekend in March and I plant to hit all the local shows—you may even see me at Brothers Performance for dyno days and the spring car show.

This entry was posted in News and tagged Brothers Performance, Shelby, ford, mustang, evan smith, gt350, evan j smith, flat-plane crank, Ford Mustang, deep impact blue, buhler ford, new jersey on February 15, 2016 by Evan Smith.