ford gt

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Ford GT, Mustang GT, Focus RS and more go head-to-head in Spain

Ford Performance has a pretty stellar lineup. There seems to be a vehicle for everyone, whether you want a supercar, a hot hatch or even a Baja-blasting pickup. Sometime during pre-season testing of the Ford GT race car, all eight Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team drivers decided to have a go around Motorland near Barcelona, Spain, in all eight currently available Ford Performance vehicles (that means two Fiestas and no Edge ST). Even with a staggered start, the finishing order isn’t surprising. Watch the full video above.

The eight cars are the F-150 Raptor, the outgoing Ford Fiesta ST, the new Ford Fiesta ST, the Ford Focus RS, the Ford Mustang GT, the Shelby GT350, the Ford GT and the GT LM GTE-Pro race car. The race begins with a staggered start, beginning with the Raptor and ending with the GT LM GTE-Pro. It’s funny to watch the Raptor roll its way through the corners as the first Fiesta ST starts to close in on the rear. The end of the video was likely staged, but Ford did release all eight lap times.

For clarity’s sake, the red Fiesta ST is the outgoing model that’s currently available in the U.S.. It’s powered by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four (Ford lists the European model’s 180 horsepower rating). The new car is powered by a 200 horsepower 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-three. That model isn’t available in the U.S. and likely won’t make it over.

Car and drivers:

Driver	Vehicle	Engine	Power	Lap Time
Ryan Briscoe	F-150 Raptor	3.5L EcoBoost V6	450HP	2:30.65
Dirk Müller	Fiesta ST	1.6L EcoBoost I4	180 HP	2:19.01
Harry Tincknell	Fiesta ST	1.5L EcoBoost I3	200 HP	2:16.58
Richard Westbrook	Focus RS	2.3L EcoBoost I4	350 HP	2:11.01
Stefan Mücke	Mustang GT	5.0L V8	460 HP	2:06.19
Joey Hand	Shelby GT350 R	5.2L V8	526 HP	1:58.14
Olivier Pla	GT	3.5L EcoBoost V6	647 HP	1:50.02
Andy Priaulx	GT LM GTE-Pro	3.5L EcoBoost V6	N/A	1:40.00

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January 29, 2018 / Comments Off

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First Ford GT and Corvette ZR1 built heading to the same auction

You probably won’t need to worry about depreciation with these ones. Barrett-Jackson will be auctioning the very first current-generation Ford GT and new Corvette ZR1 to roll off their respective assembly lines. The gavel will fall Jan. 20 with proceeds for both going to charity.

The Ford GT is especially worth a look, since not only is it the first example, it will be easier to get via auction than hoping to get an application approved from Ford. It’s a great color, too, as Liquid Blue (sans stripes) was the hue it wore for the reveal and in promotional material. It was also exclusive to it and several show-car versions of other Fords. Odds are this GT will go for more than a new one from Ford, though, since all of the proceeds will go to charity. Specifically, the Autism Society of North Carolina. Obviously, whoever buys it should be able to use the car as a tax write-off.

The same high-cost, double-edged sword will apply to the ZR1 as well, though in this case the proceeds will go the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation that supports seriously injured emergency first responders. Unlike the GT, though, the buyer of the ZR1 will have the opportunity to spec out the first example however he or she likes, since the car isn’t out quite yet. It will be available as either a coupe or convertible, and with the seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. Chevy will also include an option package that adds carbon fiber interior trim, leather-wrapped instrument cowl and the performance data recorder.

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January 3, 2018 / Comments Off

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Ford sues John Cena for flipping his 2017 Ford GT

When Ford launched its Application Program for the Ford GT, observers noted the hoops and hurdles Ford set up to manage its relationship with the high-end clientele club. Well, every club has a toilet, Ford just found it, and actor John Cena left the carmaker a present. Cena took delivery of a custom 2017 GT in September, then sold the coupe not even a month later — an audacious violation of the purchase contract he signed, which bound owners to hold onto their cars for at least two years. For such treason, Ford sued Cena in U.S. District Court last week, seeking more than $75,000 in damages.

Cena paid $466,376.50 for the liquid blue coupe with the “Dark Energy” interior, and made a video about taking delivery of the car around Sept. 23. Not long after that love-fest, sometime around Oct. 20, the GT had a new owner. Ford called Cena a few days later when it heard about the sale, and said Cena copped to the flip. The ex-WWE wrestler is alleged to have later texted Ford, “I completely understand and as stated am willing to work with you and Ford to make it right. My sincerest apologies,” and explained the sale was “for cash to take care of expenses.”

Ford’s lawsuit alleges Cena never made it right, after snagging “a handsome profit.” The Blue Oval wants restitution for that profit, for “damages and losses, including, but not limited to, loss of brand value, ambassador activity, and customer goodwill due to the improper sale,” and for attorney and court costs.

The whole situation is kind of kooky, considering Cena’s car collection numbers roughly 22 cars, one of them a 2006 Ford GT. Cena’s YouTube series Auto Geeks makes a point of telling the story behind each one of his cars; we’re surprised this is the story he wants to tell about his 2017 Ford GT. Ford’s lawsuit said Cena’s Application Program appeal included the line, “[If] I were to be deemed fit for ownership I would most certainly use every vehicle of communication to let the world know about the car, the brand, and the experience.” Now the only words he has for Ford come from his wrestling days: “If you want some, come get some!”

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December 4, 2017 / Comments Off

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Sunday Drive: Still thankful for supercars

The Thanksgiving holiday meant that last week was pretty short on stories, but apparently our readers are still thankful for supercars. The biggest news of the week was the new Aston Martin Vantage, which is clothed in a new look that Autoblog readers are still very much unsure of. It’s a radical departure from past Aston Martin models, and while everyone seems to agree that the profile is lovely, the squinty headlamps are a particular source of contention. Its 503 horsepower and 512 pound-feet of torque cannot be argued with … oh, and a V12 may be coming soon.

Moving along is a nearly new 2006 Ford GT for sale that’s expected to fetch around $300,000 at auction. It’s so unused that it still has plastic wrap covering the leather interior. The Ango-American theme continues with the McLaren 720S, though not in road-going form. Still, renderings of the upcoming 720S GT3 racer round out this supercar-rich recap.

As always, stay tuned to Autoblog for all the latest automotive news that’s fit to print.

All-new Aston Martin Vantage turns up the volume

This 10.8-mile Ford GT could be yours

McLaren 720S GT3 race car shown off in renderings

November 26, 2017 / Comments Off

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This 10.8-mile Ford GT could be yours

A car is only ever new once, and some owners try to keep that feeling as long as they possibly can, such as with the above 2006 Ford GT. The car will be offered by RM Sotheby’s at the company’s Fort Lauderdale auction, and it astonishingly has just 10.8 miles on the odometer. With so few miles, this car practically is new, despite being over a decade old.

To complete the like-new feel, the car still has the original plastic wrap that covered the leather seats. And the tag around the shifter warning drivers that the car is low and could scrape and be damaged. The engine bay is thoroughly clean, too. RM Sotheby’s also notes the car is nicely equipped with optional stripes, painted brake calipers and forged BBS wheels.

We admire the current owner’s remarkable restraint to keep from piling on the miles with this car. We’d be daily-driving it and then some, if it were our car. But on the other hand, we can’t help but feel that the owner really missed out on something by never driving it. At least he’ll have the car’s high value to make up for it. RM Sotheby’s expects the car to sell for between $300,000 and $350,000. These numbers almost identically reflect the $307,000 to $348,000 valuation from Hagery Insurance. But for bargain hunters, there’s the slim chance it goes for less, since the car is being offered at no reserve, which means whatever the highest bid is, it takes the car home. Those interested in purchasing the car could check out the auction in April 2018.

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November 21, 2017 / Comments Off

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Can’t get a Ford GT? You can at least get a Ford GT watch

It’s not easy or cheap to get a Ford GT, since you have to apply and spots are in extremely short supply, but you still have a chance to own a bit of Ford GT memorabilia at a much lower price. The car company teamed up with Autodromo, a watchmaker that specializes in automotive-themed watches, to create two lines of timekeepers inspired by the GT and the GT40.

The first line is the Ford GT Endurance Chronograph. Each watch in this line is available in one of five designs. Three of them are based on the Le Mans winning race cars. There’s a black and white one to commemorate the 1966 winner, a red and white one for the 1967 winner, and a red, white and blue one for the class winner in 2016. If none of those appeal to you, there is also a simple blue one with white stripes, and a blue one with red and white hands, a tribute to the American and French flags. The cases are made of stainless steel, and the faces are covered with sapphire crystal. It also uses a Seiko mecha-quartz movement. The watches are available now for pre-order, and will run $695 a piece.

If you’re a lucky owner of a new Ford GT, you’ll be able to order an Owner’s Edition Chronograph. Each of these watches can be customized by owners to match the color of their cars. They also get the same serial numbers as the owners’ cars. The face has a “honeycomb” texture based on some of the aluminum components in the GT’s chassis, and the buttons and crown are based on the GT’s shift paddles and scroll wheels. These watches have a ceramic and stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal dial and hands, and they use a Swiss Made automatic flyback chronograph movement. They will be available next spring, and pricing hasn’t been released yet. Considering the more exclusive clientele and construction, it will probably cost quite a bit more than the Endurance Chronograph.

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November 16, 2017 / Comments Off

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Take a Ford GT factory video tour with Forza Motorsport

A lot of time, effort, and money goes into building the new Ford GT. The car is hand-assembled by Canadian automotive engineering and manufacturing company Multimatic at its facility outside of Toronto. Turn 10 Studios, the company behind the Forza Motorsport video-game series, has ordered a car of its very own. Follow along with studio manager Alan Hartman and vehicle art director Gabe Garcia as they tour the Ford GT assembly line.

Their video gives some some insight into the car and the people at Multimatic. While the exterior may not have the flair of Maranello or Sant’Agata Bolognese, the factory line looks close to those of some Italian manufacturers. The car is mostly assembled by hand, meaning it takes about nine full days to build from start to finish. One car is finished a day, and with a full run of 1,000 cars expected, the people at Multimatic have years of work ahead of them.

Turn 10’s Ford GT will be one of the Heritage Edition models, with a paint scheme that recalls the original GT40s at Le Mans. Fans of the Forza series voted online, and according to Hartman the Heritage Edition was the overwhelming favorite, though he appears to be quite fond of Ford’s Liquid Red paint and carbon fiber wheels. Watch the video for more cool details, including the final inspection and the high-pressure leak test.

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June 8, 2017 / Comments Off

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Ford GT Competition Series sheds weight and slathers on the carbon fiber

Ford unveiled Thursday the most track-focused version of the GT that you can still drive on the road, called the Competition Series, promising impressive weight savings and clever use of carbon fiber. Ford revealed the GT model this week in Daytona ahead of the Daytona 500 and weeks after the GT’s class victory at the Rolex 24.

Ford took aim at cutting weight from the upper part of the GT in a bid to lower the center of gravity. The Competition Series has a Perspex acrylic engine hatch cover and uses Gorilla glass for the bulkhead behind the driver, which is slimmer and lighter than on regular GT models. The engine compartment also has a manual latch and carbon-fiber prop to further slash weight. Finally, Ford deletes the air conditioning, infotainment system, cupholders, radio, and storage bins. Optional equipment on the regular GT, like titanium lugnuts and exhaust and carbon-fiber wheels, are standard on this model.

Design-wise, the GT Competition Series gets gloss carbon-fiber striping, A-pillars, and mirror caps, and the lower body trim is exposed, glossed carbon fiber. The cabin gets more exposed carbon fiber and Alcantara suede with red accents. The supercar will be sold in six colors, black, white, silver, blue, gray, and yellow.

The Competition Series continues with the 647-horsepower twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 used in the other GTs. It will weigh 3,054 pounds, a spokesman said. The GT is a limited-run model, with 250 produced per year during the car’s four confirmed years of production. The Competition Series will be a slice of that allotment, and its price was not revealed.

“The Competition Series was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match,” Ford product chief Raj Nair said in a statement.

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February 23, 2017 / Comments Off

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Is a Ford GT Competition Series lightweight variant coming?

It seems Ford might have another version of the GT coming soon, and the secret lies in the owner’s manual. There are two places that mention a “competition series” model, and the main difference has to do with the rear hatch. Reading the tea leaves, this yet-to-be-announced variant seems to be focused on reduced weight.

We first caught light of this from the DragTimes YouTube channel. We took a look at the owner’s manual ourselves, which you can see here, and sure enough, there are two places where the competition version is mentioned.

Page 42 of the manual is where this other GT competition series first crops up. Apparently, it uses a slightly different key fob that lacks a remote hatch release, as well as the “key-blade” inside the fob for manually opening the rear hatch. The reason you might need to do this is if the battery dies and you need access to the manual door releases inside the engine bay.

Screenshot from Ford GT owner's manual

The reason the competition GT doesn’t have those features on the fob is because the rear hatch is fastened with a locking AeroCatch-style hood-pin latch. So instead of a fob with a key and remote hatch button, Ford simply provides a traditional key for the external latch. We also noticed that the latch system illustrated here is different from that found on the GTE race car, further supporting the idea this is a new type of GT. This is all explained on page 149 of the owner’s manual, which also provides details that indicate the competition model could be a lightweight variant.

Screenshot of Ford GT owner's manual

The manual shows that another characteristic of the competition GT is that the rear hatch won’t hold itself open. Whatever struts or tensioners Ford used to keep the standard hatch up have been removed in favor of a surely lighter two-piece prop. The prop stows in the small cargo area behind the engine bay.

We’ve reached out to Ford for information regarding this possible competition model. At the time of publishing, we haven’t received a response. We’ll update this post as soon as we hear more.

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February 20, 2017 / Comments Off

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