Upon its unveiling at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, everything about the new 2016 Ford GT. Its mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive setup, and sleek, aerodynamic body design place it squarely in the performance category. Once you dig deeper, however, this racing icon has a few surprises. To honor the 50-year anniversary of the Ford GT40’s runaway victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race – in which GT40 Mark II’s placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd – Ford’s new performance division has broken new ground in the field of supercar design.
The highlight of the new Ford GT’s next-
generation design is undoubtedly its EcoBoost engine. Unlike the majority of Ford’s high-performance stable, which is built on the power of the V8, the 2016 GT packs the most powerful production V6 EcoBoost engine Ford has ever created. Bolstered by twin turbochargers and direct dual fuel injection, the GT’s 3.5L V6 EcoBoost power plant unleashes a jaw-dropping 600 horsepower. Most of its internal frame is composed of carbon fiber, which offers incredible strength and durability while keeping the overall weight of the car relatively low. The low weight and high impact strength of carbon fiber result in a very impressive power-to-weight ratio and enhances the GT’s acceleration, handling, and level of safety in a major way.
Ford Performance is the newly-minted high-performance division of Ford Motor Company, and they are wasting no time in building anticipation for their work. In addition to revealing the new GT, Ford Performance has announced that no less than twelve new performance vehicles will make their debut by 2020. Those will be joining an already impressive lineup of high-powered models, including the Ford Raptor, Shelby GT350R Mustang, and the ST versions of both the Fiesta and Focus. Dallas drivers and auto enthusiasts ought to keep their eyes open over the next year or two, because there are going to be some head-turning Ford creations roaming North Texas roads before too long. Once these mean machines hit the dealerships, come by Prestige Ford in Garland and check them out!