Ford

GT (2017)

Ford GT (2017): Born to Race

The 2005 Ford GT was a tribute. The 2017 Ford GT was a weapon. Ford wanted to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016 (the 50th anniversary of their 1966 victory). To do that, they built a race car first and a road car second. The project was so secret it was built in a basement at Ford’s HQ.

The result is one of the most extreme road cars ever built. It makes a Ferrari 488 look like a sensible sedan.

Aerodynamics: The Flying Buttresses

The defining feature of the 2017 GT is its teardrop fuselage.

  • The Taper: The cockpit tapers inward dramatically towards the rear.
  • The Buttresses: The rear wheels are mounted on separate pontoons, connected to the roof by massive Flying Buttresses. These channel air around the canopy and onto the rear wing.
  • The Intercoolers: The air intakes for the engine are actually inside the buttresses.
  • Ride Height: In “Track Mode,” the hydraulic suspension drops the car by 50mm instantly. It slams to the ground. The spring rate doubles. It is essentially a race car setup that is illegal on the street (but Ford made it road legal).

The Engine Controversy: V6?

When Ford announced it would use a 3.5-liter Twin-Turbo V6 EcoBoost, people were angry. “A supercar needs a V8!” they shouted. Ford ignored them. Why V6?

  1. Packaging: A V8 is wide and tall. The teardrop aero shape required a compact engine. The V6 fit; a V8 didn’t.
  2. Marketing: Ford wanted to sell EcoBoost F-150 trucks.
  3. Power: It produces 647 hp (later 660 hp). It features an anti-lag system that keeps the turbos spinning even when you lift off the throttle. It sounds industrial and angry, not musical, but it is brutally effective.

The Chassis: Carbon Tub

Unlike the aluminum 2005 car, the 2017 GT is built around a carbon fiber monocoque.

  • Integrated Roll Cage: An FIA-spec roll cage is integrated into the roof structure.
  • Fixed Seats: The seats are bolted directly to the chassis to save weight and lower the roofline. You don’t move the seat; you pull a strap to move the pedals and steering wheel towards you.
  • Multimatic: The car is not built by Ford. It is assembled by Multimatic in Canada, a specialist engineering firm that builds race cars.

Le Mans Victory

The gamble paid off. In 2016, the Ford GT race cars (Chip Ganassi Racing) finished 1st and 3rd in the GTE Pro class at Le Mans, beating Ferrari, Porsche, and Corvette. Mission accomplished.

The Buying Process

Ford made it incredibly hard to buy one. You had to apply. They selected buyers based on their social media following and loyalty to the brand.

  • The Contract: Buyers had to sign a contract promising not to sell the car for 2 years. John Cena (the wrestler) sold his early and was sued by Ford.
  • Value: The MSRP was $450,000. Today, they trade for $900,000 - $1.2 million.

Conclusion

The 2017 Ford GT is a race car with a license plate. It is loud, uncomfortable, hot, and claustrophobic. It has no trunk (literally none). But it is a masterpiece of aerodynamics and a Le Mans winner. It will go down in history as one of the boldest cars ever made by a major manufacturer.