2016 Ford GT. Renderings courtesy of Ford Motor Company.
The rumors have been flying for months, and at a Monday press conference during this week’s North American International Auto Show, Ford laid them to rest: To commemorate the 1-2-3 finish of the original Ford GT40 at Le Mans in 1966, the Ford Motor Company will build an all-new Ford GT supercar. Better yet, it’s committed to taking the car racing, stating that the Ford GT will return to Le Mans in 2016.
Like the two-year-only Ford GT that debuted in 2005, the new version will be constructed as a halo car, a showcase of Ford’s engine technology and prowess, using lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum. The new model won’t debut until late in 2015 (as a 2016 model), so details are somewhat lacking; still, Ford has dropped the idea of a large-displacement V-8 in favor of a twin-turbo V-6. Based on the EcoBoost V-6 already used in the IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship series, the 3.5-liter V-6 in the upcoming GT model should be good for “more than” 600 horsepower in street trim.
The previous Ford GT featured extensive use of aluminum in the car’s body, suspension and space frame, but the new version will start with a carbon fiber passenger cell, to which aluminum front and rear subframes will be attached. The new GT’s bodywork will be constructed of lightweight carbon fiber, and Ford claims the ultra-lightweight construction will give the new GT “one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car.”
The mid-engine, rear-drive layout of the original and 2005-’06 variant is retained, but gone is the option for a manual transmission. Instead, Ford will equip the new GT with a paddle-shifted, seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle, and the car’s steering wheel will carry controls (directionals, wiper, high beams) normally found on steering column-mounted stalks. Why? To give drivers unimpeded access to the car’s paddle shifters.
That’s hardly the car’s sole concession to performance, either. To shed a few more pounds, seats will be integrated into the carbon fiber passenger cell, eliminating the need for steel seat frames. To fit a variety of driver sizes, pedals and steering wheel will be adjustable for both reach and height, though the passenger will likely have to make do with a one-size-fits-all footwell.
Underneath, the Ford GT will utilize a height-adjustable torsion bar and pushrod suspension, and will ride on Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tires created especially for the car. Brakes will utilize carbon ceramic rotors in all four corners, and the GT’s shape (both above and below) has been designed to direct airflow at high speeds to ensure enhanced stability. Aiding this will be an active rear spoiler, which automatically deploys at high speed and can change pitch to provide additional downforce as needed.
Pricing has not yet been set, nor has overall production quantity. Aside from a statement that Ford will race the car at Le Mans in 2016, details of its motorsport intentions are also vague as well, but given the limited time frame the automaker will need to develop a competition version concurrent with the production version. The fact that the EcoBoost V-6 has already been race-proven will certainly shave a bit of time off of powertrain development and testing.
In today’s ever-more-cost-conscious world of manufacturing, a car like the 2016 Ford GT makes little sense. However, the same can be said of the original Ford GT40, which ignited a passion for motorsports in generations of American fans. Let’s hope the new car can be as successful.
from Hemmings Daily - News for the collector car enthusiast http://ift.tt/1y9x9eW
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