The 600 horsepower monster was introduced by Executive Chairman Bill Ford and CEO Mark Fields at the Detroit Auto Show.
The new model was developed in only one year, while the typical car is brought to market in three. Ford wants to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which the company intends to compete in once again in the not too distant future.
High-performance Ford GT Supercar
Production will begin next year, with the car priced around $150,000. The twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine will be Ford’s most powerful production engine ever, with performance further increased through the use of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum.
The aerodynamics of the new supercar are inspired by aircraft fuselage, and the windshield is also curved in order to reduce drag. “We are passionate about innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound,” said CEO Fields.
A second revival
Previously, 4,000 examples of the Ford GT were produced in 2005 and 2006, following the introduction of the concept car in 2002. This concept was designed in tribute to the iconic GT40 racing car of the 1960s.
The GT40 was conceived with the specific intention of wrestling the Le Mans 24 hour crown from Ferrari, and racing car legend Carroll Shelby assisted in its design. It was a roaring success, taking the Le Mans title from 1966 to 1969, as well as the World Sports Car Championship in 1966 and 1967.
The car became such an icon that it is currently the only vintage performance car whose value increases with age, such is demand from collectors. Ford is presumably hoping to revive this slice of automotive history and instill some of its spirit into the new incarnation.
The carmaker plans to release 12 new performance cars by 2020, including an F-150 Raptor and the Shelby GT350R, which were also on show in Detroit. Ford presumably wants to add some glamour to its product line, and the revival of a classic supercar is certainly one way to grab the headlines.
