Ford Unveiled EcoBoost-powered Ford GT, Raptor F-150 and the Shelby GT350R Mustang
Ford Motor Company blew the doors off the Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit this morning by announcing it’s all-new Ford GT supercar designed to sets new standards for Ford innovation through performance with advances in weight reduction, aerodynamics and ultra-efficient 600-plus horsepower EcoBoost engine. Yes, snow melted when Ford Unveiled EcoBoost-powered Ford GT, Raptor F-150 and the Shelby GT350R Mustang.
The Raptor, and GT350R are just stunning, but it was the Ford GT that stole the show. The amazingly sleek Ford GT features the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever—a new twin-turbocharged Ford EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 horsepower. This is a ultra-high-performance supercar, infused with race-proven technology engineered to keep company with exotics when it goes into production in 2016.
According to Ford, this 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. And, 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.”
Like the last Ford GT, the 2016 model is rear-wheel drive, with a mid-mounted engine, and some of the most unique and exotic bodywork we’ve seen. The GT makes extensive use of lightweight materials, including carbon fiber and aluminum – enabling outstanding acceleration and handling with improved efficiency.
“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.”
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We all know the benefits of reduced weight, It which provides an efficiency advantage and improves acceleration, handling, braking, safety, efficiency. 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. This includes a carbon fiber passenger cell and aluminum front and rear subframes encapsulated in structural carbon fiber body panels.
Ford also announced its 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.
To reach the power goals, the GT gets 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.
Aerodynamiclly, the GT is striking, Its body actively reduces drag, while aiding downforce and stability. It incorporates an aircraft-inspired teardrop fuselage and visibility-enhancing curved windshield. Plus, there’s an active rear spoiler that is keyed to both speed and driver input, reactively deploying and adjusting its height and/or pitch angle depending on conditions.
“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,” said Ford. 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.
