The Ford GT40 was a purpose-built car that was designed to put Enzo Ferrari in his place at Le Mans, and it did just that. Unfortunately, it was only produced for two years before being discontinued but, for 2018, Ford debuted the second generation that will be known as the Ford GT.

On the outside, there are plenty of hints that point back to the GT40, like the overhang at the front fascia and the air intakes behind the rear doors, but otherwise, the car is sleeker and looks much more modern and supercarish. Inside, the car is built for control and usability. The seats are integrated into the shell to give the drive a better overall feel, and the car features an adjustable steering wheel and pedals. There are two display screens and soft touch surfaces here and there. While it was expected to use a turbocharged version of the flat-plane crank V-8 from the GT350 Mustang, Ford decided to go with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost unit with twin turbochargers. No specifics have been provided as of yet, but it should deliver at least 600 horses.

The best news so far is the fact that Ford decided to skip going with an all-wheel-drive setup, and instead decided to stick with the traditional rear-wheel-drive orientation, making the new Ford GT a true driver’s car. All told, the new Ford GT is hands down, the best supercar to ever be developed in the history of the blue oval brand. With a legendary history behind it and modern materials throughout, the Ford GT is sure to recreate and surpass the Ford GT40’s success.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Ford GT.

2017 Ford GT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Ford GT
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 600
  • Torque: 600
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new Ford GT has a design that instantly recognizable when viewed with its older siblings. The mid-engine design lends itself to a long wedge shape, and the car has the signature sloped GT nose with the dual ducts in the front that create a menacing and memorable look. The rear of the car looks far more modern than past GTs, with round hips, crisp cuts near the taillights reminiscent of modern Ferraris, and set of flying buttress wings for extra downforce. There is also a huge set of canon exhaust outlets mounted high-center and the lower part features an aggressive rear diffuser.

The greenhouse is less open and wide than previous cars, making for a more aerodynamic design that tapers inward toward the top. Compared to old cars, the new model is much more sleek, and looks less like a fast wedge carved from a brick.

There are still lots of subtle details that harken back to the old models like the outboard circular taillamps. This new and exciting shape is made from carbon fiber to help reduce overall weight. To make sure the car is as fast as possible while maintain stability, each and every curve you see has been fine-tuned for a specific purpose. The windshield is sloped and rounded to cut drag while improving visibility, and the rear spoiler will actively adjust based on conditions.

With such a different shape, Ford had to give the GT elegant upward-swinging doors to make it easier to enter and exit the cockpit.

Ford offers eight colors for the GT's exterior. The palette includes classic hues such as Frozen White, Shadow Black, Ingot Silver, and Liquid Grey, but also bright, vivid colors such as Liquid Blue, the paint in which the concept car debuted, Liquid Red, and Triple Yellow. Those looking for a more menacing appearance can also have the supercar finished in Matte Black. All colors can be paired to a twin-stripe package that pays homage to the original GT40. Stripe color options include Frozen White, Shadow Black, Ingot Silver, Alloy, Lightning Blue, Race Red, and Competition Orange. Finally, the exterior can be further customized with front, rear, and side lower elements in either Shadow Black, Matte Carbon Fiber, or Gloss Carbon Fiber.

Wheel options include 20-inch one-piece forged aluminum and 20-inch carbon-fiber rollers. The former are available Graphite with black nuts, Gloss Black with black nuts, or Silver with chrome nuts, while the latter can be had in either matte or gloss finish. The brake calipers are offered in no fewer than five colors, a first for Ford. Customers can choose between black, silver, blue, red, and orange.

Near-Production Prototype

As we suspected from the day it broke cover, the GT shown at the Detroit Auto Show was actually more of a concept than a production model. One year has passed since its debut and what appears to be a near-production-ready vehicle has finally surfaced the Interwebz. The photo comes courtesy of Ford GT Forum and depicts an example featuring mild changes compared to the show cars. The mirrors are larger, while the front fenders received vertical turning signals. Thankfully, these appear to be the only changes, meaning that the production model will remain true to the vehicle we first saw in Detroit.

Next-Generation Carbon-Fiber Wheels

Ford used the GT supercar to introduce its next-generation carbon-fiber wheels. The second Ford vehicle to use the technology after the Shelby GT350R, the GT is available with the latest iteration of carbon-fiber wheels that feature "new advanced fiber and resin compounds that allow more intricately styled wheel options." The new technology permits greater design flexibility, which results in flowing, more intricate spokes. Of course, carbon-fiber wheels also bring numerous advantages over traditional aluminum wheels, including weight savings, improved dynamics and ride quality.

The carbon-fiber are available as optional upgrades over the standard forged aluminum wheels. Unlike the Shelby GT350R’s black-painted carbon fiber wheels, Ford GT wheels are offered in two finishes – either a matte or a glossy clear coat, which allows the carbon-fiber weave to show through and match the two exposed carbon finishes available on the side sills and front splitter.

Industry-First Gorilla Glass Hybrid Windshield

On top of being a cool-looking supercar that pays homage to the iconic GT40, the new GT is also the first production vehicle to feature a gorilla glass windshield. For those not familiar with the term, gorilla glass is a type of glass that's designed to be thin, light, and damage resistant. Developed by Corning Inc., the material has numerous applications in consumer electronics, being used as cover glass for portable devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

But unlike the aforementioned items, the GT doesn't employ standard gorilla glass, but a hybrid technology with a three-layer hybrid window consisting of gorilla glass specifically designed by Corning for automotive applications, thermoplastic, and annealed glass. According to Ford, this hybrid windshield is thinner than traditional laminate glass and will improve handling by lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity. At the same time, it makes the car's windshield tougher, more durable, and scratch-resistant. Moreover, being about 30-percent lighter than traditional glass, it reduces the vehicle's weight by more than 12 pounds, which positively impacts acceleration, fuel economy, and braking performance.

The hybrid glass is used on both the windshield and the rear engine cover of the Ford GT. The new technology was already tested over stone and in rough road conditions, and "had to endure specific projectile, rollover and wind tunnel testing."

Interior

As fitting for such a purposeful machine, the GT’s cockpit is designed for control and usability. The seats are directly integrated into the car’s monocoque shell. This provides a direct connection to the chassis, and gives the driver a better feel for how the car is behaving. With a fixed seating position, the GT has an adjustable steering wheel and pedals to make sure that drivers of various shapes and sizes can get their driving position just right.

Ford has taken a page out of Ferrari’s book, and given the GT an F1-inspired steering wheel with all the needed controls for car function mounted to it. This opens up the steering column and gives you uncluttered access to the shift paddles used to control the ’GTs transmission.

The gauge cluster is just a large LCD display that is configurable to display carious levels of information. There are multiple modes that can be chosen and activated to display different types of information depending on the type of driving, or driver preference.

Drivetrain

While everyone, myself included, expected Ford to dump a forced induction version of the new flat-plane crank V-8 found in the GT350 Mustang, the company threw all of us for a loop. Sitting behind the seats of the GT is a new 3.5-liter, EcoBoost V-6 that makes use of two turbos. This next-generation EcoBoost motor was based on the engine Ford used in its IMSA Daytona Prototype endurance racer. The turbocharged mill is rated at 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet, which is might impressive.

Ford was able to squeeze so much power out of such a small engine thanks to a huge pile of enhancements that include a combination port/direct injection system, low-friction roller-finger-follower valvetrain and of course those two turbochargers. Sending that power to the wheels is a seven-speed, dual-clutch transaxle. Sorry kids, there is no manual transmission GT this time.

Thankfully Ford has forgone using any crazy all-wheel-drive system in favor of sticking to the traditional rear-wheel-drive format. Thanks to its low weight, and its huge 20-inch alloys wrapped in sticky Michelin rubber, the GT should easily break the three-second barrier in the 60-mph sprint. Top speed is estimated at 216 mph.

Prices

The Ford GT was initially rumored to cost around $400,000, but pricing was eventually set at $450,000 before options. The GT is also a low volume supercar, with 250 units to be built each year. As a result, the first batch was sold out as soon as the supercar went on sale.

Competition

Chevrolet Corvette Zora ZR1

The rumored C8-generation Corvette->ke4930 will wear a Zora ZR1 badge and come with an engine mounted in the middle. This will mark the first major departure from the Corvette formula since the car moved to V-8 engines more than five decades ago. We expect this new machine to compete directly with Ferrari and Lamborghini, and be powered by a supercharged, V-8 engine with more than 700 horsepower. There is little known about this car, but it seems that America may soon have two mid-engine supercars to battle it out on the track.

Read our full review here.

Lamborghini Huracan

The ultimate expression of a fast mid-engine supercar. The latest machine to come from the Bolognese carmaker replaces the company’s best-selling car of all time, the Gallardo. The new Huracan makes use of a modified version of the Gallardo’s V-10 and it produces more than 600 horsepower. All that power is routed through an automatic transmission and sent to all four wheels. With a 0-to-60 time just over three seconds, and a top speed of more than 200 mph, this is one Raging Bull that is worth of the term "supercar. "

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

Ford has burst out of the gate to prove it knows how to really build a supercar. With legitimate racing technology and advanced construction techniques, the new GT should be the fastest production car Ford has ever made. With things in the supercar world heating up with the return of the Acura NSX, the new-generation Audi R8, and the looming debut of Chevrolet’s Zora ZR1, Ford has picked the perfect moment to revive this legendary nameplate.

Update History

Updated 07/06/2016: Ford revealed the exterior and interior color options for its new GT supercar, and announced that as a first for the company, Brembo brake calipers will be available in five colors. Continue reading for the full details.

Update 05/21/2016: We've made a new video detailing the highlights of the new Ford GT. Press "play" to check it out.

Updated 05/17/2016: Ford announced that the new GT supercar will be offered with the next-gen carbon-fiber wheels that save more than two pounds of unsprung weight per wheel. Continue reading for more details.

Updated 04/20/2016: Ford dropped the second episode of its "The Return" documentary. This new episode explains how the new GT supercar was designed and how the company made efforts to obtain perfect balance between the everyday driver comfort and the demands of a supercar competing on the global sports car racing stage. Hit "play" to watch it!

Updated 12/17/2015: The guys over posted an image of what appears to be the production version Ford GT. Unlike previously seen images, this one reveals the car's larger mirrors and markers.

Updated 12/16/2015: Ford and Corning announced that the upcoming GT will be the first vehicle to be offered with "Gorilla® Glass©" hybrid windshield technology. It saves more than 12 pounds from the car's total weight and positively impacts acceleration, fuel economy and braking performance. Hit play to learn more about it!

Updated 12/02/2015: Ford dropped a new video in which it highlights both the design and the aerodynamics features of its latest GT supercar. You will get to see Garen Nicoghosian, exterior design manager and Bernie Marcus, aerodynamicist, talking about how Ford honored the past while including the latest in design and aerodynamics on the all-new GT. Hit "play" to watch it!

Updated 11/19/2015: The upcoming Ford GT made a short stop at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. For the first time we get to see the GT in a very cool combination: yellow with black racing stripes. We have to admit this livery is our favorite so far!

Updated 09/24/2015: New reports indicates that the production of Ford GT will be limited to only 200 units a year, with half of them being offered to the U.S. market. (Autoweek)

Updated 09/10/2015: According to Forza Motorsport 6 the future Ford GT should deliver a total of 630 horsepower and 539 pound-feet of torque. The sports car is also rumored to weight a total of 2,890 pounds and will offer a 43-57 front-rear weight distribution.

Updated 07/07/2015: The guys from Gear Patrol offered us a cool inside look at Ford's latest GT supercar. We hope you'll enjoy it!

Updated 01/23/2015: We've added a series of new images from the car's official debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Check the new images in the "Pictures" tab.

Updated 01/02/2015: Ford trademarked an image that could reveal the new generation GT. While the company offers no details on it, the description suggest the image shows a "stylized ghosted speeding car." Check it out after the jump.

Spy Shots

2017 Ford GT caught on the road

Rendering

Patent image