They're making a new Ford GT!

[Sad, little man]

Reveal its 20 minutes from now. :D

I'm told it looks pretty good, even though the styling is a departure from the last one.

[Kchrpm]

Don't you mean "we're"?

[Sad, little man]

I dunno, I tend to think of the people designing the GT as some secret group of engineers toiling away in an underground lab somewhere, or perhaps in a remote corner of the Arizona desert, living in a city built entirely by Ford just for the purpose of designing the new GT without anyone knowing.

[Sad, little man]

Ooooo it's good! It's very very good!

http://gtxforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=978&d=1421074025

978

http://gtxforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=979&d=1421074446

979


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z56deqZ0lU#t=64

[Freude am Fahren]

I love it. Lot of Enzo/LaFerrari looking lines in the rear, which I think is fitting :D

[Kchrpm]

Looks great. The twin turbo V6 is an interesting choice purely for marketing/status reasons, I'm sure it'll be plenty fast.

[novicius]

Yeah, going with the EcoBoost V6 is kind of strange -- why not twin-turbo the new Ford flat-plane crank 5.2L V8??

I'll give it a :up: because I'm happy to see the return of the GT but it does feel like the Marketing suits won.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/vjv2vi1oqg9ibjyprwlc.png

I really DO like the look, tho'. :cool:

[Sad, little man]

Wasn't the engine choice motivated by the desire to fit in some sort of racing class? I thought that was the motivation behind the V6.

Either way, they're saying 600+ hp. If you can coax that much from a V6, why bother with the added weight of a V8? I would think turboing that could probably net 900hp, and then at that point you're competing in a realm that's probably a little more lofty than Ford intends to be in with this car.

[novicius]

The C7 Z06 already puts out 650 hp & 650 lb-ft of torque -- at nearly 3,600 lbs. of course. So if the GT is going to bring less power, it'd better also be losing 500+ lbs., comparatively speaking.

[Sad, little man]

Well, it's carbon fiber with two less cylinders, so I think that's possible.

[Kchrpm]

Carbon fiber bodywork only or the tub as well? Edit: just watched the video, it says carbon fiber bodywork and primary structure, so both it seems :up:

And it's two less cylinders, but OHC, so the engine weights may be similar. I have no clue how turbos and superchargers compare in weight, other than "more than without them."

[TheBenior]

https://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_la1hj8Ct4M1qzv9mho1_400.gif

[Crazed_Insanity]

wow. good looking car!

[21Kid]

https://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_la1hj8Ct4M1qzv9mho1_400.gif
:o

[thesameguy]

I would think turboing that could probably net 900hp, and then at that point you're competing in a realm that's probably a little more lofty than Ford intends to be in with this car.

The Ecoboost is turbo'd. It's a 3.5l twin turbo.

The GT is kind of an in-house Noble!

[Kchrpm]

He meant turboing a V8.

I was thinking the same thing about the Noble! But I have no idea how popular those were in the market, just that they looked great on Top Gear.

[thesameguy]

I don't think they were ever legal for sale here - or maybe anywhere outside of the UK.

I am excited about the notion of this car on a lot of levels, and what a great showcase for Ecoboost!

[Kchrpm]

They came over here as Rossion's. I saw one.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dKrsowkF2MY/U6XR6eJ8JxI/AAAAAAAD8MA/UWtS12taqlE/w480-h270-no/14%2B-%2B1

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pUpZuuwmQV8/U6XR6eX-jCI/AAAAAAAD8MA/x8QvnH-ZPig/w480-h270-no/14%2B-%2B2

[Random]

I don't think they were ever legal for sale here - or maybe anywhere outside of the UK.

I am excited about the notion of this car on a lot of levels, and what a great showcase for Ecoboost!

Someone is/was importing them because there were a half dozen sitting in and around the TurboHoses facility in Livermore a couple years back. Maybe brought in as kits and registered under SB100?

[thesameguy]

RAD.

Seems crazy it took Ford this long to realize if Noble could make a kickass sports car out of a Duratec V6, Ford should be able to make yet better one out of an Ecoboost V6. Ten years of development, direct injection, and modern turbos FTW. 500hp should be pretty mild tune, too. 3.5l should be good for an easy 600 or 700.

[LHutton]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr4hdSlN6Tg

[Godson]

There is a rossion and a noble here in KC fwiw

[Kchrpm]

Hmmm...I liked it a lot more before I heard it. Should be much better when it's being driven hard, but man.

[Sad, little man]

Those doors... They're insane. It's like the whole side of the car comes off. No tight parking spaces in this thing.

980

[Freude am Fahren]

That seems to be the way to do it with these carbon tubs these days:

http://www.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lafferrari17.jpg

http://autosupercars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2014-McLaren-P1-Side-Open-Doors-View.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3128/3166308621_515dd570b6.jpg

[Phil_SS]

Would you really drive this thing to the local mall?

And a company in the USA, near Cincinnati I think, was importing the Noble as a kit car and then you just added the engine.

[Sad, little man]

If I'm going to drop $200k on a car, I'm going to drive it where ever I damn well please.

[CudaMan]

Low. Wow.


Someone is/was importing them because there were a half dozen sitting in and around the TurboHoses facility in Livermore a couple years back. Maybe brought in as kits and registered under SB100?
Randy Chase had something to do with importing it as the Rossion Q1 as I recall.

I've also seen a Noble autocross in SoCal, with a plate I don't recognize.
http://www.pbase.com/bryanh/image/100642301/original

[MR2 Fan]

I'm actually not a fan of the looks to be honest.

[harper]

I think it looks spectacular. Considering how much they've also worked on the EcoBoost for racing (remember, the possibilities of using it for LMP2 have also bounced around a lot the last few years) makes sense they'd go in that direction. As for the size, well, it's a 4-liter maximum for turbo/supercharged engines to GTE spec as they are now.

Best thing that can happen from it is it reignites Ford's motorsports passion for things that aren't tube-frame NASCARs, and forces Chevy to step up fully onto the WEC stage with a works program full-time too.

[pl8ster]

I've also seen a Noble autocross in SoCal, with a plate I don't recognize.
http://www.pbase.com/bryanh/image/100642301/original

Connecticut plate. That's a heck of a long trip in that thing...

[MR2 Fan]

I think Matt Groening had input on the front nose

[KillerB]

Love the look. Don't care for the engine choice, though I understand it has some tie-in to prototype racing or something. I still think it'd be more interesting with some variant of the 5.2L GT350 engine.

[Random]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMD3Vu3xL-c

Start-up and slow drive away @ 3:20ish

Hawt.

[SkylineObsession]

Looks frigging awesome. :eek:

My main concern was the engine sound since its not a V8, but so far it sounds okay. Need to hear it under load though.

[thesameguy]

Love the look. Don't care for the engine choice, though I understand it has some tie-in to prototype racing or something. I still think it'd be more interesting with some variant of the 5.2L GT350 engine.

Kinda at the opposite end - all these cars have a big motor. It's quite differentiating to have a smaller displacement motor, much less one with turbos. In theory this thing is like a more civilized Elise or, maybe, what the Evora should have been. Although the flat plane V8 is a cool motor for sure, there is nothing special about it in this class. Direct injected VVT turbo V6 is pretty bloody unique, and may have some cool implications for "green supercars" while being a helluva halo for Ford's Ecoboost line. Since Ecoboost is pretty much where they've hung their ambitions, I think that makes great sense. I really like Ford's "we put a turbo four in the Mustang and built a truck out of aluminum" approach versus the "it's just like everybody's else's, except it says Ford" approach.

(And, if what people are getting out their Flexes and SHOs (600hp, that is) a purpose built version of the Ecoboost should either be very durable, very tunable, or both. :D There aren't many supercars out there than can be chipped to +25% hp.)

[XHawkeye]

The back reminds me of a Pagani.

Glad it didn't follow the hybrid trend.

Ford beat Honda at their own game. If the NSX had this look and just a V6TT (no hybrid) it would have been a grand slam.

[Sad, little man]

It does kind of crack me up how Acura has been blue balling us with concept after concept of the NSX for years, and now they finally unveil the thing and it falls quickly into the shadow of this car. I mean, god is that thing bland for a halo car.

[Random]

A purpose-built version of the 3.5 EcoBoost has been racing around in the back of a prototype car for Chip Ganassi and others in the Tudor series this year, too. :)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f97oxjPBQBU

[KillerB]

Kinda at the opposite end - all these cars have a big motor. It's quite differentiating to have a smaller displacement motor, much less one with turbos. In theory this thing is like a more civilized Elise or, maybe, what the Evora should have been. Although the flat plane V8 is a cool motor for sure, there is nothing special about it in this class.

Yeah, but word is that Ferrari is going turbo since that's where F1 is. McLaren is already there. That'll leave only Lamborghini keeping it real with NA supercars.

Note: I'm assuming this thing is going up against the Ferrari 458, and the "small" Lamborghini and McLaren whose names I can't be bothered to look up in terms of price.

[The359]

Honda's also successfully been using a twin-turbo V6 in ALMS/Tudor, so it's not like Ford is going to lack behind others by going this route. They're not even the first to go this route.

It will be unique amongst the GTE crowd though.

[overpowered]

http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-gallery/2017-ford-gt-official-photos-and-info-news#1

[thesameguy]

That'll leave only Lamborghini keeping it retro with NA supercars.

FTFY

:P

[Fogelhund]

Honda's also successfully been using a twin-turbo V6 in ALMS/Tudor, so it's not like Ford is going to lack behind others by going this route. They're not even the first to go this route.

It will be unique amongst the GTE crowd though.

The last team to be semi-competitive in top level GT racing, with a turbo was Roock. The restrictors have since favoured NA engines, though these days with the way BoP has been thrown around, that could become different. I personally like that car and hope it finds success as a GTE.


http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/03/980x490/landscape_nrm_1421161181-fordgtgulf_cdauto_11315_1_copy.jpg

[Kchrpm]

I don't see the GT getting any points for unique engine configuration, considering the 650S and 911 Turbo are also in the less than 4 liters and turbocharged camp.

Not that it needs them, it will likely get by on looks alone.

[samoht]

I hope it isn't too big or heavy, but damn that is cool.

The promise of a light, balanced, chuckable car with that sort of power and torque is very appealing. I also like the way the styling has just enough GT40 to link it back to Le mans, but still be new and exciting.

[Sad, little man]

I'm really curious to know how much it weighs. That's really the key. My first impression is that it will come out way overweight even though it's mostly CF since Ford isn't really known for making lightweight vehicles.

But at the same time, I realized a couple of things that kind of contradict that... They have clearly said that the seats are not adjustable. I believe they said they're part of the chassis itself. They're totally fixed, and the wheel and pedals move to give you adjustment. So, even if it doesn't come into production like that, it shows someone was thinking lightweight. They have also said that even the basic amenities like a stereo and A/C will be optional. That also makes me feel like someone is actually paying attention to the weight of this thing.

I think if it comes in under 3000lbs, it will be a huge success. We'll see though.

[Fogelhund]

I'm really curious to know how much it weighs. That's really the key. My first impression is that it will come out way overweight even though it's mostly CF since Ford isn't really known for making lightweight vehicles.

But at the same time, I realized a couple of things that kind of contradict that... They have clearly said that the seats are not adjustable. I believe they said they're part of the chassis itself. They're totally fixed, and the wheel and pedals move to give you adjustment. So, even if it doesn't come into production like that, it shows someone was thinking lightweight. They have also said that even the basic amenities like a stereo and A/C will be optional. That also makes me feel like someone is actually paying attention to the weight of this thing.

I think if it comes in under 3000lbs, it will be a huge success. We'll see though.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Ford-GT-2016-the-Blue-Ovals-new-carbonfibre-supercar-is-here/

No performance figures have been issued yet (we suspect the full story will dripfeed out over the coming 12 months), but those ponies will have their lives made easier by the lightweight spec of the GT.

It is made almost entirely from carbonfibre and lightweight aluminium, the company says, to keep mass at a minimum and boosting performance, handling and economy. Ford claims it will offer one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car.


Sounds like the weight will be reasonable.

[Kchrpm]

600 hp + "one of the best power-to weight ratios of any production car" (using an average of numbers 5-10 from here http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-production-cars-with-the-craziest-power-to-weig-1641624397 ) works out to around 2250 lbs. That would make for one insane factory road car.

[novicius]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPqE5r7nhGI#t=65

Ignore the flatulant putt-puttering around the corner, the real deal is the in-car audio and quick-shifting beats. :up:

[LHutton]

The last team to be semi-competitive in top level GT racing, with a turbo was Roock. The restrictors have since favoured NA engines, though these days with the way BoP has been thrown around, that could become different. I personally like that car and hope it finds success as a GTE.


http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/03/980x490/landscape_nrm_1421161181-fordgtgulf_cdauto_11315_1_copy.jpg
The 12C and 650S GT3 have been fast in GT. Transmission reliability screwed up last season but the 650S GT3 finished fairly strong in the Gulf 12 hrs and the the 12C GT3 holds the 25.4km endurance lap record at the 'ring. Basically one reason it's fast is because it uses the same restrictor but the engine is such that it can spend most of the time at the power limit at nearly all race rpms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajN5fVVOLOw

[Rare White Ape]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPqE5r7nhGI#t=65

Ignore the flatulant putt-puttering around the corner, the real deal is the in-car audio and quick-shifting beats. :up:

So it sounds like a diesel truck?

Man I hate turbos. They ruin the sound.

However I think that aero tunnel that goes behind the rear wheels and out the back is bad arse. It would be even better if they maybe even went without the giant B-pillar that connects the roof to the wheel arch.

[novicius]

Aussie semi-trucks sound like GTE racecars? #australiarules

Doesn't sound like a U.S. truck/bus to me -- plus those quick squealing upshifts are The Business. :cool:

[Rare White Ape]

Oh yeah, gotta agree with you on the shifting. But that's a benefit of modern gearboxes that can pop the next gear at lightspeed.

But couple it with a nicer sounding motor and I'm all ears.

http://youtu.be/GCgdfNR9J6w

And hers what a racing truck sounds like just for the heck of it eh? :cool:

http://youtu.be/QiVfpzt3a1s

[Kchrpm]

I finally listened to it. That's gross :down: I will be really disappointed if the road car or race cars sound like that.

[MR2 Fan]

MSRP announced...nearly $400,000 :eek:

and only 250 will be made

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1097105_the-ford-gt-will-cost-400000-sell-250-per-year

So $400,000 for a Ford with a V6 Ecoboost engine...I'm stunned

[Fast As Possible]

http://hostthenpost.org/uploads/f8044184f762197d85f2afd972ecd79c.jpg

[LHutton]

That rear end looks very clever aerodynamically.

[Crazed_Insanity]

I like this pig!

But not for $400k though.

[novicius]

Eh, it's just another LFA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LFA#Production). #shrug

Good on Ford that they're still gonna race it tho'. :up:

[Fast As Possible]

That rear end looks very clever aerodynamically.
I agree, I think it's going to end up being an amazing car, hopefully they lower the price and make an actual model run out of it, like 15 years of NSX type thing.

I like this pig!

But not for $400k though.

Yikes!

I don't know about another LFA. Have you driven the LFA in GT?

[LHutton]

I can remember what happened to resale values of the last very expensive V6 twin turbo supercar....

...although values did eventually pick up a bit.

[Freude am Fahren]

I'm guessing that's the XJ-220? A few things went into that thing being overshadowed. The first was that engine. Everyone was expecting (and wanting) a V12, like the production car. Then when it came out, it couldn't even do the namesake claimed 220mph. Of course the economy also was a major factor. Even though the economy is a factor these days in many things, supercars are relatively unaffected from what I understand, given their clientele are doing just fine. And then you had a run on 200mph supercars right after the XJ-220.

It's still one of my favorites though of those early 90's supercars.

[Sad, little man]

You have to remember that the new GT is going to be a Ford pretty much in name only. I have no idea how much of the engineering was actually done in house, but the car isn't even being built by Ford, but rather an obscure company outside of Toronto that has the necessary expertise with CF construction.

So, while $400k is a lot for a Ford, really what you're buying here is a low volume, specially constructed supercar with a Ford engine in it. i mean really, aside from the 4C, are there any cars that use CF as their main structural material that are even remotely affordable?

[TheBenior]

BMW i3?

[The359]

You have to remember that the new GT is going to be a Ford pretty much in name only. I have no idea how much of the engineering was actually done in house, but the car isn't even being built by Ford, but rather an obscure company outside of Toronto that has the necessary expertise with CF construction.

So, while $400k is a lot for a Ford, really what you're buying here is a low volume, specially constructed supercar with a Ford engine in it. i mean really, aside from the 4C, are there any cars that use CF as their main structural material that are even remotely affordable?

Multimatic is the Canadian company, they do a lot of Ford's sports car programs. They also bought the remains of Lola. They are a very close partner without being inhouse.

But then I recall much of the previous Ford GT not being built inhouse either.

[LHutton]

I'm guessing that's the XJ-220? A few things went into that thing being overshadowed. The first was that engine. Everyone was expecting (and wanting) a V12, like the production car. Then when it came out, it couldn't even do the namesake claimed 220mph.
Debatable. It did 217.6mph at Nardo, where tyre scrubbing wipes about 1mph for every 10mph over 100mph on the banked oval. I wouldn't bet against 220mph at somewhere like Ehra-Lessien.

I think ultimately the Mac F1 did it in.

[MR2 Fan]

I know this is completely off-topic but about top speed runs, a 1991 MR2 (same era as the XJ220) went 218 MPH with only a turbo 4-cyl, 487hp:

http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=467708

[Freude am Fahren]

:snap: Awesome!

MR-2: Better Aero than an XJ-220!

:lol:

[LHutton]

And a modified 300ZX did over 260mph. So what? Neither did a 7:46 'ring lap. The point is that V6 supercars don't tend to be very popular.

I think the real problem with the Ecoboost V6 is the high CoG caused by a 60deg bank angle and 86.7mm stroke. And it's also heavier than rival V8TT engines in cars that cost less. It had better be really fast on track, or I don't see a good future for it. NSX had a 90deg bank angle and, oddly enough, 90deg is the bank angle arrived at through decades of F1 development too. Despite it not being the optimum angle for engine performance in V10s and V6s, it was still the angle used for reasons of stiffness and CoG.

[Godson]

:blahblah:


It'll sell, just like the LFA has sold.


The main difference going for it, is the LFA was a Lexus. Which of course never has had ANY racing or supercar heritage to pull from.

[Kchrpm]

*quick research*

Looks like LFA production was always to be limited to 500 total, and all 500 were sold before the cars started production (and presumably before anyone tested them and was underwhelmed by performance figures yet overjoyed by the sound). Seems like a reasonable goal for the GT as well.

[LHutton]

*quick research*

Looks like LFA production was always to be limited to 500 total, and all 500 were sold before the cars started production (and presumably before anyone tested them and was underwhelmed by performance figures yet overjoyed by the sound). Seems like a reasonable goal for the GT as well.
With a V6?


:blahblah:

It'll sell, just like the LFA has sold.

The main difference going for it, is the LFA was a Lexus. Which of course never has had ANY racing or supercar heritage to pull from.
It did have a 9000rpm V10 to pull from though. I don't see many journalists forgiving a car for weak performance based on the sound of an Ecoboost V6.

[Kchrpm]

I meant the 500 total units was a reasonable goal, not the sound. Presumably the people buying the LFA didn't know how it would sound either, for the most part. Hell, Lamborghini has sold cars to people without even knowing what it will look like yet.

[Kchrpm]

For comparison's sake, I looked up sales on the Ford GT on Wikipedia. The data isn't complete, but it seems they sold between 3500 and 4000 cars total (at around $150k + dealer markups up to $100k). 500 @ $400k doesn't seem outrageous compared to that, but the people in that market will have to fall in love with the styling. I have no clue if they will.

[LHutton]

Oh yeah, they'll sell 500. Hell the fact that companies like Mansory exist proves that they'll sell 500. Mansory is like Veilside, except that they start with good looking exotics, and make them hideous. If people pay for that, they'll buy anything.

[LHutton]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXfCAxihjUY

http://images.thecarconnection.com/hug/ford-gt_100496779_h.jpg
http://images.thecarconnection.com/hug/ford-gt_100496777_h.jpg
http://images.thecarconnection.com/hug/ford-gt_100496778_h.jpg
http://www.pedal.ir/wp-content/uploads/New-Ford-GT-46.jpg

[SkylineObsession]

There's no gear lever in those pics.

Me won't buy one then.

[LHutton]

We don't need gear levers where we're going.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVIGMEaY2lA/UVqvBgGGLJI/AAAAAAAABxQ/gTqvGZ0mfqM/s1600/Emmett+Brown+2.jpg

[The359]

Why are the windshield wiper controls on the steering wheel? :?

[Random]

Because they don't have any control stalks at all? (Which kinda makes sense in a car with shift paddles)

[thesameguy]

Yeah, paddles and stalks don't mix very well.

[Freude am Fahren]

No stalks, because racecar, I guess.

[Random]

No stalks, because racecar, I guess.

Plus it makes the wheel look like a F1 wheel. :up:

Or a TIE Fighter control pod! *adjusts targeting computer* *pew pew*

[The359]

The light buttons seem to be moved to the dash. Just seems odd to prioritize them there like that.

[Random]

That seems to be a Ford "world car" thing. My OG Focus has the lights on the dash and a random sampling of their current offerings (Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo, Transit, Transit Connect) seems to confirm that they all do as well.

Ford does funky stuff with their stalks when they switch LHD/RHD, so this might save them some localization hassles?

[TheBenior]

My 1998 Ford Contour (US Mondeo) had it's headlight knob on the dash as well.

[Freude am Fahren]

A bit too busy, and frankly, even if the meterials are nice, the designs is a bit cheap looking, especially the HVAC controls to the right there. A Ford GT doesn't really need infotainment controls on the wheel. Dump them and move the wipers to the dash.

Also, check out that table to the left of the main dash!

[Godson]

Ford has had lights on the dash for a long damn time. At least 18 years, possibly longer.

[Freude am Fahren]

Lots of European cars do too, I think. I knew BMW's did forever.

[KillerB]

I like the interior design and most of the controls being on the steering wheel. Kind of reminds me a bit of another US automaker's offering from the 60s, though...

http://www.ch300imp.com/images/61br4.jpg

[CudaMan]

I still think wiper and light controls work really well on "pods" either side of the instrument cluster. Z32, FC, AW11.... surely plenty of others from the 80s/90s did the same. It's a win for ergonomics, and it also happens to look rad, man.

This layout can work with paddle shifters too.

I recently rented a new Focus. Terrible in many ways, but on topic: the light switch was on the dash, low down on the left where I had to lean forward to see it and reach it (the steering wheel was blocking my view of it in a normal seating position). Who signs off on this stuff? Someone who hasn't spent a day in the car, I suspect.

[MR2 Fan]

I recently rented a new Focus. Terrible in many ways, but on topic: the light switch was on the dash, low down on the left where I had to lean forward to see it and reach it (the steering wheel was blocking my view of it in a normal seating position). Who signs off on this stuff? Someone who hasn't spent a day in the car, I suspect.

Oh yeah, some cars have that, like the 90's Neon and 80's Ford Taurus I believe....the reason I know that is because my grandmother needed a newer car many years ago and the Neon was set up so similar to her Ford, it was easier for her to adjust.

[Freude am Fahren]

Also, with many cars coming with autolights, having to actually touch the button becomes rare. Same could be said about wipers, though those can still be kinda hit-or-miss. As long as flash/highbeams, wash, and quick swipe are all on the wheel or a stalk, the rest can be on the dash.

[KillerB]

I love auto lights, but every car I've driven with auto wipers annoyed me. Something about the constantly varying rate making me mentally unable to anticipate the wiper movement just was strangely unsettling to me. I'm not sure why this is so, but if I had to guess, it's that the rhythm of standard wipers is somehow calming, where the constant variation on the auto ones was kind of jarring.

[KillerB]

I still think wiper and light controls work really well on "pods" either side of the instrument cluster. Z32, FC, AW11.... surely plenty of others from the 80s/90s did the same. It's a win for ergonomics, and it also happens to look rad, man.

This layout can work with paddle shifters too.

I recently rented a new Focus. Terrible in many ways, but on topic: the light switch was on the dash, low down on the left where I had to lean forward to see it and reach it (the steering wheel was blocking my view of it in a normal seating position). Who signs off on this stuff? Someone who hasn't spent a day in the car, I suspect.

Yeah I'm down with pods. The setup on the S2000 isn't too shabby either.

[CudaMan]

It's very good, although in regards to headlight/wiper controls it's got your standard stalks.

[LHutton]

http://www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/334/160/9/S3341609/slug/l/01-2017-ford-gt-chicago-1.jpg
http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/2017-ford-gt-very-likely-to-deliver-over-700-hp-report-says_2.jpg
http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/2017-ford-gt-very-likely-to-deliver-over-700-hp-report-says_1.jpg

The test mules are rolling and we expect the endurance-racing version of Ford’s GT supercar to be presented next month (June) in Paris shortly before the 83rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Until then, here are some tidbits of information—some new, some merely reminders—dribbled from Ford’s severely restrictor-plated PR engine at a recent media event.

The twin-turbo EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6 engine will share bore and stroke dimensions (92.6 mm x 86.7 mm, or 3.64 in x 3.41 in) with existing applications including Ford cars and trucks and RoushYates-built IMSA Daytona Prototype endurance racers. Expect at least 700 horsepower.

Ford Performance engineers are testing both carbon-fiber and forged-aluminum wheels for GT use. Five-bolt and center-lock retention schemes are also being considered. Brembo opposed-piston calipers and carbon-ceramic brake rotors are, thus far, a given.

To serve all of the things that didn’t exist when Ford engineered its second-generation GT—including four distinct driving modes (Normal, Sport, Track, and Wet), active aerodynamics, variable damping, and advanced traction- and stability-control programs—the third-gen has an elaborate nervous system consisting of:

• More than 50 vehicle sensors
• 28 microprocessors analyzing 300 megabytes of data per second
• Six CAN networks carrying 3000 digital messages distinct to the GT

The GT’s doors hinge on an axis parallel to the windshield A-pillars, making them a hybrid of gullwing and scissor pieces. This design was selected to provide a narrow cockpit surrounded by wide airflow channels to the intercoolers and the rear wing. The doors provide ample side-collision protection, although they contribute little to the GT’s torsional and bending rigidity. Expect ingress and egress to be difficult. Seating is so closely coupled that the driver can easily touch the frameless glass on the passenger’s side.

While the seat bottoms are fixed directly to the molded floorpan, the backrests adjust through approximately 10 degrees. The pedals and steering wheel have nearly eight inches of fore-and-aft adjustment range. The steering wheel also telescopes.

Multimatic Motorsports and Engineering—a longtime Ford ally and Markham, Ontario, racing enterprise—will manufacture the GT’s molded-carbon-fiber tub and exterior body panels. According to Ford, Multimatic supplied lightweight materials for the 77 examples of the Aston Martin One-77 cars built and sold between 2009 and 2012.

Car deliveries are tentatively scheduled to commence by the end of 2016 with a 2017 model-year designation.

In 2016, Ford will compete in the Le Mans GTE category, which began in 2011. Key rivals are the Ferrari 458 Italia GT2, Porsche 911 RSR, and Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, all racing versions of production-based road cars. During the past four years, Ferrari earned two wins versus one each for Porsche and Corvette.

Depending on the success at Le Mans, Ford should have little trouble selling the 250 road cars it intends to build per annum, even with a price that could be as high as $400,000. A class victory in France will extend the production program a few years, but don’t expect total volume to ever exceed 1000 GTs.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0BwOxlXM7k

Which is more complicated: keeping an airplane in the air, or keeping a car pointed in the right direction on the road? Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] engineers apparently believe it's the latter, because they loaded the new GT supercar up with more lines of computer code than some of the most modern jet aircraft.

The GT has 10 million lines of code, which is about eight million more than what Lockheed used in the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, and at least three million more than Boeing needed for its 787 Dreamliner.

The reason for that is the car apparently has too much computing power. It's rare to hear claims of there being too much of anything when it comes to other aspects of automotive engineering, but apparently that's possible when it comes to software.

Recently, aircraft manufacturers have tried to cut the amount of code needed to keep their planes in the air. Boeing reportedly bragged about using less code in the 787, but Ford can't do that. In a recent technical briefing on the new GT, Ford Performance chief engineer Jamal Hameedi said the car has more lines of code than is strictly necessary because the company used off-the-shelf components, meaning tailored software was not possible.

Yet Ford also claims the extra computing power will allow the car to provide more assistance to non-expert drivers. Hameedi said the GT will actually be faster around a track with the traction control left on—even in the hands of an expert driver.

While the GT's 50 onboard sensors and 28 microrprocessors will probably make driving easier, the roughly-estimated 600 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 will probably make more of an impression.

Based on the engine used in Ford's Tudor United SportsCar Championship Daytona Prototype, the V-6 pushes a body made mostly from lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum, and styled to look like a modern update of the original GT40 that thrashed Ferrari at Le Mans.

Ford is expected to build just 250 cars per year, priced at around $400,000 each. At least buyers will be getting plenty of code for that price.

[KillerB]

You write all that yourself?

[Random]

^C ^V, baby!

(It's polite to attribute the source of an article, Mr. Hutton.)

[MR2 Fan]

So it can calculate "your car's been stolen" 5000x faster than the old GT?

[Freude am Fahren]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGabsXD9lpY

[The359]

That...anti-lag? Sounds far worse than the DPs usually do.

[Freude am Fahren]

The popping on downshifts? That's pretty normal for turbo motors even without anti-lag, isn't it?

The flatulent sound at around :45 is the TC I think. I don't think anti-lag is allowed in sportscar racing. I could be wrong though since it makes an interesting sound on partial throttle at 1:10.

Either way, much more lively sounding than the DP's for sure.

[Godson]

The diesel sound is tc or a partial throttle flutter. I'd suspect the latter more than the former as when the throttle is opened, it goes. The noise being present at different speeds it what leads me to believe the sound is from partial throttle.

I like it.

[thesameguy]

Yeah, it's a result of the exhaust construction. You should hear it on my XR - sounds like a tractor trying to start.

[novicius]

Here's The New Ford GT Mule Just Cruising Around Detroit, No Big Deal (http://jalopnik.com/heres-the-new-ford-gt-mule-just-cruising-around-detroit-1725717675)

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--qBgEpNBU--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/1395785364113287821.gif

I know there's been a Gulf mock-up already but I'm interested in just seeing the traditional white-on-red, etc. in the flesh.

Also-also, I'm looking forward to seeing Liberty Walk mod one. :rawk:

[KillerB]

Boy, do I not miss busted-up roads "fixed" by slathering tar on top of all the cracks.

[The359]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x95ViD9AUsA

[Kchrpm]

Has a nice, unique tone. Gets on the traction control a lot, may be an issue with the rear grip or the traction control itself, but they've quite a while to figure it out, and I'm sure they will.

My early prediction is that they replicate what happened to the C7.R: early speed and results lead to overly restrictive BOP adjustments halfway through the season. Will be interesting to see just how much they get NERFed, and how it carries over to LeMans.

[XHawkeye]

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/123878-imsa-ford-s-new-gt-loaded-with-open-wheel-dna

Ford's new GT loaded with open-wheel DNA

[The359]

It looks to me like that floorboard underneath the door is going to get broken very easily.

[Sad, little man]

Considering that 95% of owners probably won't get in or out of the car after driving it into their garage for the first time and parking it there, I don't anticipate huge problems with the door thing.

Anyway, I saw my first one of these on the road last week. All of the mules they have running around are in flat gray paint. Anyway, from a distance I thought it might be one of the '05-'06 ones, but as it got closer it was clear it was a new one. The body looks really radical in the wild. It looks like something straight out of F-Zero.

Also, I had no idea the intake ran through those little buttresses between the body and the side pods. That is some crazy packaging right there.

[The359]

I meant the race car, since its wood. The road car should be slightly more sturdy.

[LHutton]

Production intent version.

http://cdn-1.motor1.com/p/static/img/mglr/600000/600000/605000/605100/605126/00.jpg

[Freude am Fahren]

Hmm, interesting the windshield appears to be asymmetrical, though only the bit hidden under the front cowl.

[LHutton]

Where do you mean? Ah, in the background right? The wipers looks asymmetrically positioned.

[Sad, little man]

Has two wipers, not a race car. :assclown:

[The359]

Got gas for the BRZ last night, was surprised by a Ford commercial for the new GT while at the pump. Did they have any commercials for the last GT?

[Kchrpm]

The Ford GT configurator is up.

https://www.ford.com/performance/gt/#configurator

https://www.ford.com/campaignlibs/content/dam/ford_com/gtreveal/config/resize1440xs922-std/whl-cbg/cal-org/opt-cbg/clr-shdblk/str-org/1.jpg

[novicius]

Sharp! :up:

(Boo to black rims tho'. :D )

[Freude am Fahren]

As well as the application to buy one. I wonder how that is going to work. I assume someone that doesn't know someone isn't going to be able to get one. They do say they don't want people to buy them just to store them. They want them driven and seen.

[21Kid]

Oooohohhh :cool::up:

[Godson]

They drop the price to something I can afford, I'll tow with the fucking thing.

[SkylineObsession]

https://www.ford.com/campaignlibs/content/dam/ford_com/gtreveal/config/resize2160xs922-std/whl-gra/cal-red/opt-cbm/clr-liqred/str-aly/3.jpg

Umming and ahhing about black or red calipers. Both looked good. The carbon wheels need to be deeper dish to look good. :(

[Alan P]

Blue with Silver stripes looks surprisingly good. But it would have to be White Stripes.

[Kchrpm]

C'mon guys, this is why you have private test tracks.

Ford GT Test Drivers Caught Going 101 MPH In A 50 MPH Zone: Police (http://jalopnik.com/ford-gt-test-drivers-caught-going-101-mph-in-a-50-mph-z-1786907323)

[Godson]

Meh. That area of I70 is fucking dumb and the way speed limits are set up are simply to draw revenue.


Fucking hate towns and shit like that

[Kchrpm]

The speed limits seem confusing, but even at the highest limit, 101 is far above it.

Not that I haven't gone that speed and more before, but I don't have access to a company test track.

[balki]

Production is starting next month, are there any details (kg, hp, ...)?

[novicius]

It's not a supercar. It's something entirely different. (http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/a31818/first-ride-the-all-new-ford-gt/)

http://gtxforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=2088&stc=1


Even under these circumstances, the car's strengths shine through. From the passenger seat, I can feel how the GT responds to Hand's minute throttle adjustments. "It tucks down really nicely in the front," he remarks mid-corner, demonstrating how the car tightens up its line with just a minute lift of the throttle. "Especially for a street car. There's a lot of street cars, man, when you come off the brakes, they just motorboat. Not this one," he says.

You're wondering about the engine noise. Fear not: The street-legal GT sounds excellent. Turbo whoosh is subtle, an undertone of boost beneath the engine note. The sound is somewhere between a silken straight-six and an exotic small-bore V8, a subdued but purposeful growl. Imagine a McLaren 570S with a higher redline and a little less rasp, and you'll be on the right track. It's worlds away from the woeful moan of the Le Mans racer.
Sounds serious. :up: :up:

[dodint]

Nifty side rail will be great for strapping down camping gear.

[Godson]

"...when you come off the brakes, they just motorboat."

Isn't that what you are supposed to do? ;)

[SkylineObsession]

'Save image as'

It actually looks bloody awesome in that pic. :up:

[Freude am Fahren]

That color :drool:

[dodint]

Production is starting next month, are there any details (kg, hp, ...)?

Awesome, now they'll be able to run in FIA WEC events.

[balki]

2890lbs and 630hp (http://horsepowerkings.com/sources-2017-ford-gt-will-weigh-around-2900-lbs-could-cost-around-400000/)
2890lbs would be very impressive
The article also says "highest power-to-weight ratio of any production car ever built." :|

[Freude am Fahren]

That's complete nonsense. I'm sure they're pushing the meaning of production car with some high number. McLaren F1 was 627hp and 2500 lb for instance.

Hell, I think all of the holy trinity beat it. And Porsche only made about 80 less cars than Ford has announced.

EDIT:

Ford GT: 2890/630 = 4.59 lb/hp.

918: 4.08 lb/hp
P1: 3.54 lb/hp
Veyron SS: 3.52 lb/hp
TheFerrari: 3.32 lb/hp

Nevermind the likes of One:1 (only 5 built, so...) and other rarities.

Source: Jalopnik article (http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-production-cars-with-the-craziest-power-to-weig-1641624397)

[dodint]

Maybe they meant "...by Ford."

[Random]

The hi-po Caterhams are also down around 4lb/hp, for that matter.

[Sad, little man]

That article is a year old. I would be surprised if Ford even knew what the final numbers would be back then.

[Sad, little man]

Ok, now we have some official numbers...

647hp
550lb ft

3054lbs dry weight
216mph top speed

[dodint]

So not even close, then. Got it.

[Sad, little man]

Yeah, I dunno why they pulled a trump when they were making claims about its p/w ratio.

Frankly, all this car was designed to do was win a LeMans trophy. Any resultant high performance numbers that came out of that are just incidental. They were never really shooting for the best p/w ratio, highest top speed, or anything else.

[Kchrpm]

I wonder if they'll offer a Le Mans package with commemorative sandbags.

[Jason]

Salty :lol:

[Freude am Fahren]

You should go post that on Jalopnik. COTD for sure. :lol:

[CudaMan]

Keith wins the internet today.

[thesameguy]

Yeah, I am turning off my computer now.

[Sad, little man]

I wonder if they'll offer a Le Mans package with commemorative sandbags.
Yes, and they'll be right next to all the LeMans replica handicap ballast weights.

[XHawkeye]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_UUm-aWKYw

[XHawkeye]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MPuzxaYig8

[novicius]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCG28gzecUM#action=share

[dodint]

:popcorn:

[Phil_SS]

Horrible color choice.

[dodint]

Yeah but it cost more. Achievement Unlocked.

[Freude am Fahren]

I actually like the color choice. Apparently it's actually a Lamborghini paint.

[Sad, little man]

Someday I want to get rich selling fancy powder to insecure men.