Ford Ford GT at the Detroit Motor Show
01/13/2015
B ill Ford started the press conference at the Detroit Motor Show 2015 with warm words: About mobility concepts across all modes of transport that Ford has in mind, about CO2-neutral mobility, about Ford as a 'people mover'. He passed on to his CEO Mark Fields, who praised Ford as ' Innovator ”sang and rose to the prognosis that after the CES there will also be more questions about“ Connectivity and Mobility ”at this year's NAIAS than about power and torque t. In order to immediately put a remarkable rhetorical U-turn on the floor: 'If we look back on our company history, we can see where most of Ford's innovations came from: from motorsport.
Loud power bolts instead of eco-carriages at Ford
This was followed by a vigorous presentation of lots of powerful innovations from the Ford Performance Department: Ford F 150 Raptor, a pick-up with a 3.5-liter turbo V6 and significantly more than 400 hp, Shelby GT 350 R, a Mustang with a good 500 hp from a hot 5.2-liter V8 and - last but not least, that, What, according to Mark Fields, comes out when you start thinking about the ultimate high-performance Ford with a blank sheet of paper: A carbon flounder with a breathtaking body in the style of a Le Mans prototype, because there is a model despite the white paper: the legendary GT40. Ford won with it in LeMans in 1966 and took first place , 2 and 3.
Ford GT with mid-engine and double clutch
The layout of the modern GT is similar to the historic GT40: mid-engine and rear-wheel drive. A bit of downsizing is necessary: Instead of a V8, a supercharged V6 can now power the Ford GT. The 3.5-liter twin-turbo with direct injection should deliver over 600 hp. It is based on the racing engine from the IMSA Daytona prototype. The seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and paddles on the steering wheel are used to shift.
One reason for the V6 is its weight. According to Jamal Hameedi, Head of Development for Performance Vehicles at Ford, his team was obsessive about achieving one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any car on the market. That would mean about 2 kg /HP or about 1,200 kg empty weight. And also explains why a hybrid drive was ruled out as an option early on: 'Too heavy'.
Ford GT with carbon fiber chassis
That is why Hameedi relies on the chassis for the chassisextensive use of carbon fiber laminate and aluminum. The monocoque with integrated seat shells is made of carbon, the subframes and crash structures at the front and rear are made of aluminum.
The shape of the body is trimmed for downforce. The strongly tapered rear and the huge air ducts up to the wheel arches are supposed to generate a clean air flow for the extending and steeply adjustable rear spoiler. 'The main development goal for the GT was fast lap times on the racetrack,' says Hameedi. At high speeds, the body lowers, and it can be raised to overcome the pavement Ford GT
The Pushrod wheel suspensions work with active dampers and guide 20-inch alloy wheels. Deceleration is achieved with ceramic stoppers all around. Access to the interior is provided by doors that open upwards. The pedals are adjustable for size adjustment. In addition to a freely programmable one Display in front of the driver, the new Sync3 operating system is still in the Ford GT.
According to the head of development, the first prototypes will be on the road as early as spring 2015. The GT will be available for purchase in 2016. Which one Price? 'No comment on the price,' says Hameedi with a beaming smile. Officials say it will be six-digit.
