(continued)
Tungsten Grey was developed for the 2004 North American International Auto Show
Ford “Performance Trilogy” show cars – the Ford GT, the Shelby Cobra roadster
concept and the new 2005 Mustang GT. Customer demand was so overwhelming that
the color was added to the production palette.
“There’s good contrast between the colors,” says Camilo Pardo, chief designer of
the Ford GT. “But it’s a discreet contrast. In Tungsten Grey, the Ford GT is
really dressy, like a fine suit. It looks mature.”
Pardo notes that in the design studio, clay models are covered with “Dynoc”
material that is a similar hue to Tungsten Grey. The color is specifically
designed to enhance the vehicle design details for evaluation.
Unveiled at the 2002 North American International Auto Show, the GT40 concept
became an instant sensation. And just 45 days after the vehicle was unveiled,
Ford stunned the world again, officially announcing that a production version
was in the works. Ford’s GT40 concept car was created to celebrate that great
era in history and look forward to the great years to come.
Ford GT's advanced aerodynamic, manufacturing, and powertrain technologies
showcase the engineering excellence of Ford Motor Company and Ford Special
Vehicle team.
Although the new production car and the original race car both share the
mystique of the Ford GT name, they do not share a single dimension. The new car
is more than 18 inches longer and st and s nearly 4 inches taller. Its new lines
draw upon and refine the best features of Ford GT history and express the car’s
identity through modern proportion and surface development.
The Ford GT production car, like the concept, casts the familiar, sleek look of
its namesake; yet every dimension, every curve and every line on the car is a
unique reinterpretation of the original. The car features a long front overhang
reminiscent of 1960s-era race cars. But its sweeping cowl, subtle accent lines
and high-intensity-discharge headlamps strike a distinctly contemporary pose.
The front fenders curve over 18-inch wheels and Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar
tires. In the tradition of original Ford GT racers, the doors cut into the roof.
Prominent on the leading edge of the rear quarter panel are functional scoops
that channel fresh air to the engine. The rear wheel wells, filled with 19-inch
wheels and tires, define the rear of the car, while the accent line from the
front cowl rejoins and finishes the car’s profile at the integrated “ducktail”
spoiler.
The interior design incorporates the novel “ventilated seats” and instrument
layout of the original car, with straightforward analog gauges and a large
tachometer. Modern versions of the original car’s toggle switches operate key
systems.
Looking in through the backlight, one finds the essence of the sports car in a
5.4-liter supercharged version of Ford’s MOD V-8 engine. The finishing touches
are “Ford Blue” cam covers, each featuring an aluminum coil cover imprinted with
the words “Powered by Ford.”
Powertrain and Chassis
The Ford GT team knew this road car would require a stiff structure, much like a
race car. As such, they developed an all-aluminum space frame comprising
extrusions, castings and several stampings. The hybrid aluminum space frame
chassis is based on efficient use of 35 extrusions, seven complex castings, two
semi-solid formed castings and various stamped aluminum panels.
The new Ford GT is intended for the road, unlike the original 1960s race cars
that ultimately spawned a limited number of production road cars. However, the
new car required unique race-like engineering solutions – like engineering out
the aerodynamic “lift” inherent in the original car’s design – for a car that
clocks in at more than 205 mph. The new Ford GT includes racing-inspired ground
effects ducting under the rear fascia.
The Ford GT features many new and unique technologies, including
super-plastic-formed aluminum body panels, roll-bonded floor panels, a
friction-stir welded center tunnel, a capless fuel filler system, one-piece door
panels and an aluminum engine cover with a one-piece carbon-fiber inner panel.
The chassis features unequal-length control arms and coil-over spring-damper
units to allow for its low profile. Braking is h and led by four-piston aluminum
Brembo monoblock calipers with cross-drilled and vented rotors at all four
corners. When the rear canopy is opened, the rear suspension components and
engine become the car’s focal point. Aluminum suspension components and 19-inch
Goodyear tires – combined with the overwhelming presence of the V-8 engine –
create a striking appearance and communicate the performance credentials of the
Ford GT.
Under the super-plastic-formed aluminum clam shell resides the Ford GT's
supercharged 5.4-liter, 550-hp V-8.
The Ford GT engine, based on the largest V-8 in Ford’s modular engine family,
produces 550 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Both figures are
comparable to those of the 7.0-liter engine that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in
1966 and 1967.
The 5.4-liter powerplant is all-aluminum and fed by an Eaton screw-type
supercharger. It features four-valve cylinder heads and forged components,
including the crankshaft, H-beam connecting rods and aluminum pistons. Power is
put to the road through a Ricardo six-speed manual transaxle featuring a helical
limited-slip differential.
New Tungsten Grey paint scheme enhances the subtle detailing of the Ford GT
design.
Major Features and Options
Standard features include: Brembo monoblock brake calipers, BBS cast-aluminum
wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 supercar tires, carbon-fiber bucket seats with
ventilated leather seating surfaces, 6-speed manual transmission, AM/FM stereo
with CD, bi-xenon headlamps, fog lamps, driver and passenger front air bags,
ABS, leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, passive anti-theft system, power
exterior mirrors, windows and door locks, air conditioning, remote keyless entry
and rear window defroster.
Options include BBS lightweight forged wheels, McIntosh sound system, painted
brake calipers and racing stripes.
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