FORD GT

OVERVIEW

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

Production: 2004–2006

                   2016–present

Model years: 2005–2006

                      2017–present

• Body and Chassis

Class: Sports car (S)

Layout: Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive

HISTORY

The Ford GT is a mid-engine two-seater supercar manufactured and marketed by American automobile manufacturer Ford for the 2005 model year in conjunction with the company’s 2003 centenary. The second generation Ford GT became available for the 2017 model year.

The GT recalls Ford’s historically significant GT40, a consecutive four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1966–1969), including a 1-2-3 finish in 1966.

• First generation (2005–2006)

The Ford GT began life as a concept car designed in anticipation of the automaker’s centennial year and as part of its drive to showcase and revive its “heritage” names such as Mustang and Thunderbird. At the 2002 North American International Auto Show, Ford unveiled a new GT40 Concept car. Camilo Pardo, the then head of Ford’s “Living Legends” studio, is credited as the chief designer of the GT and worked under the guidance of J Mays. Carroll Shelby, the original designer of the Shelby GT 500, was brought in by Ford to help develop the GT; which included performance testing of the prototype car. While under development, the project was called Petunia.

• Second generation (2017–present)

At the 2015 North American International Auto Show and at the unveiling of the 2015 racing video game Forza Motorsport 6, the second-generation Ford GT was shown to the public with plans for production in 2016, after a decade-old hiatus from the first generation. The car marked 50 years since the GT40 won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans and competed successfully in the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans to better celebrate the anniversary, winning the LM GTE-Pro class, taking 1st and 3rd in class.

DESIGN

The interior is similarly arresting but for a different reason: It’s extremely minimalistic and driver focused, with almost every control relegated to the race-car-inspired steering wheel. Getting inside is a challenge, but once you’re there, you’ll notice the driver’s seat doesn’t adjust. Instead, Ford engineered the pedals and steering wheel to adjust to the driver’s position in the fixed seat. The gauge cluster looks as if it were taken directly out of the Ford GT race car, and another digital display is inset into the suede-wrapped dashboard and controls the infotainment functions.

With the priority focused on driving, the GT doesn’t offer the litany of infotainment and connectivity features that most modern cars do. Still, it has a 6.5-inch touchscreen that supports Ford’s Sync 3 software. It also responds to voice commands and has built-in navigation for those who want to road-trip this $500,000 machine.

The Ford GT is a low-volume, ultra-high-performance model, so it’s not crash-tested by either agency that conducts these evaluations. Likewise, it lacks any of the driver-assistance technology that is traditionally cooked into most modern consumer cars.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE FORD GT

The GT was produced for the 2005 and 2006 model years. The car began assembly at Mayflower Vehicle Systems (MVS) in Norwalk, Ohio and was painted and continued assembly at Saleen Special Vehicles (SSV) facility in Troy, Michigan, through contract by Ford. The GT is powered by an engine built at Ford’s Romeo Engine Plant in Romeo, Michigan. Installation of the engine and transmission along with seats and interior finishing was handled in the SVT building at Ford’s Wixom, Michigan plant.

Of the 4,500 cars originally planned, approximately 100 were to be exported to Europe, starting in late 2005. An additional 200 cars were destined for sale in Canada. Production ended in September 2006 without reaching the planned production target. Approximately 550 cars were built in 2004, nearly 1,900 in 2005, and just over 1,600 in 2006, for a grand total of 4,038 cars. The final 11 car bodies manufactured by Mayflower Vehicle Systems were disassembled, and the frames and body panels were sold as service parts. The Wixom Assembly Plant has stopped production of all models as of May 31, 2007. Sales of the GT continued into 2007, from cars held in storage and in dealer inventories.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR GT?

Take an active role in maintaining your Ford GT. Get answers to common Ford GT maintenance questions and learn more about caring for your vehicle.

• When should I have Ford GT alignment checked?

You know your Ford GT better than anyone else, so you’ll know if something doesn’t feel right while driving. Have your alignment checked (and adjusted if necessary) as soon as you notice a pulling steering wheel to prevent suspension damage or uneven tire wear.

• When should I switch my Ford GT to high mileage oil?

 Do you have more than 75,000 miles on your Ford GT? If so, request to switch to high mileage oil at your next oil change. This type of oil is specially formulated to keep aging engine parts in the best possible condition.

• Can Ford dashboard warning lights wait?

 It’s better to get them addressed as soon as possible. An illuminated dashboard light means something in your vehicle isn’t functioning like it should. Letting problems linger can mean bad news for your Ford GT, so be sure to take your car in for service as soon as you notice an illuminated dashboard light.

 

Source: wikipedia, caranddriver, vehicle.firestonecompleteautocare.