Production of the Ford GT is planned to end this month, and 1,350 units will have been built since the model was launched in 2016. One of the final models is the GT Mk IV which has the highest levels of performance, handling and advanced technology as it is a track-only car. Developed by Ford Performance and Multimatic, it is a radically advanced supercar with its unique bodywork, powertrain and suspension.
There will be only 67 units available, the number honouring the original 1967 GT Mk IV racing car which won the Le Mans 24-Hour race.
If you saw the 2019 movie ‘Ford vs Ferrari’, you will know that in the 1960s, Ford entered the Le Mans 24-Hour races and won, the only American racing car to win the classic endurance event. Now, as a tribute to the Ford GT prototype that was used to develop the racing cars, Ford is introducing a Ford GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition.
6th Heritage Edition model
The limited-edition mid-engine supercar comes as the model enters its the final year of production. It is the sixth in the ultra limited production series related to the Le Mans cars. Many of the cars have the Gulf paint scheme that was distinctive in that era of motorsport.
Another version in the Ford GT Heritage Edition, this one inspired by the 1966 GT40 MK II in the background.
This latest Heritage Edition is based on the 1964 Ford GT prototype that debuted at the New York International Auto Show in April 1964. It has Wimbledon White paint with Antimatter Blue graphics, including an over-the-roof triple racing stripe. Exposed carbonfibre components are prominent, including 20-inch Antimatter Blue-painted carbonfibre wheels, a touch unique to Ford GT, as well as an exposed carbonfibre front splitter, side sills, mirror stalks, engine louvers and rear diffuser finished in gloss. Brembo brake calipers lacquered in silver with black graphics, plus black lug nuts further modernize the aesthetic.
The world’s first mass-produced carbonfibre wheel application that debuted as standard equipment on the 2015 Shelby GT350R Mustang is also available for the Ford GT.
Carbonfibre all over
Carbonfibre is also used around the cabin, for the door sills, lower A-pillars and console, along with matte registers, and Lightspeed Blue Alcantara-wrapped seats featuring silver stitching. The instrument panel is wrapped in Ebony leather and Lightspeed Blue Alcantara, while pillars and headliner are wrapped in Ebony Alcantara. Antimatter Blue appliques on the instrument panel, door register bezels and seat X-brace are coordinated with the unique wheels. The steering wheel is finished in Ebony Alcantara with black stitching, while dual-clutch paddle shifters are clear and polished.
The narrow-profile canopy reduces frontal area and caps a purposeful interior that provides state-of-the-art technology to ensure control, comfort and safety. The 2-seat cockpit is accessed by upward-swinging doors, and features driver and passenger seats integrated directly into the carbonfibre passenger cell.
This configuration significantly reduces seating hardware and weight, and provides a consistent and direct sensory connection to the chassis. The fixed seating is combined with adjustable pedals and steering column to accommodate a very wide range of driver heights.
An F1-style steering wheel integrates all necessary driver controls, creating a stalkless steering column that allows uncluttered access to the transmission paddle-shift controls. A fully digital and configurable instrument cluster provides a wealth of driver-focused data. The display is configurable for multiple driving environments and different driving modes.
700 ps EcoBoost engine
The engine behind the cockpit is a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged Ford EcoBoost V6 with a power output of up to 700 ps and around 750 Nm of torque. The Powershift transmission is a dual-clutch unit made by Getrag. Ford’s high-performance division, Ford Performance, has been directly involved in the car’s development.
The current Ford GT is actually the second time Ford has built such a model. The first one was produced between 2005 and 2006 to celebrate the company’s centenary, with 4,038 units built. The second generation was introduced at the end of 2016 and production was planned to be 250 units a year until 2022. It is built at the factory of Canadian-based Multimatic, a specialist manufacturer.
During 2005 and 2006, Ford built around 4,000 units of the first generation Ford GT which was for the company’s centenary celebration.
America has many races of its own and understandably, the American carmakers have focussed more on their domestic events. In as far as the legendary events in Europe are concerned, American cars have not featured strongly though many have been entered.
However, where the classic Le Mans endurance race is concerned, Ford has participated in the past and also present and the Ford GT is America’s only Le Mans-winning car. That was back in 1966 and Ford won another three years in a row.
Ford Performance recalls this achievement in endurance racing with two new enhancements today for the 2021 Ford GT. One is the first ever Heritage Edition inspired by the original model’s first endurance win at the 1966 Daytona 24 Hour Continental race, plus an all-new Studio Collection package offers even more exclusivity and design enhancements.
“For this Heritage Edition, the Ford Performance team went deeper into the Ford GT’s race history and crafted a limited-edition model that stylistically honours the 55th anniversary of the Daytona 24 Hour endurance race that would eventually lead to our successes at Le Mans,” said Mike Severson, Ford GT program manager. “Plus, for customers who want to highlight the carbonfibre body and functional cooling ducts that help deliver Le Mans-winning performance, the Ford GT Studio Collection offers another new way GT fans can personalize their supercars.”
The Daytona-inspired Heritage Edition
The latest Heritage Edition to join the Ford GT supercar family is a tribute to the winner of the 1966 Daytona 24-Hour Continental, where Ford achieved its first 24-hour endurance win, which is captured in the 2019 film ‘Ford v Ferrari’ – or ‘Le Mans ’66’, as it is known in Europe.
Inspired by the bold white, black and red exterior of the 1966 GT40 MK II racing car, the Heritage Edition features Frozen White exterior paint with exposed carbonfibre bonnet adding stark contrast. Asymmetrical Race Red accents on the front fascia and roof edge, driver’s side door and underneath the rear wing add distinct visuals, while exposed carbonfibre shapes the signature 98 roundel graphics and highlight the lightweight body.
Unique Ford graphics on the lower rear-quarter panels plus one-piece Heritage Gold 20-inch forged-aluminium wheels paired with red lacquered Brembo monoblock brake calipers complete this new exterior livery.
Inside, the lightweight driver-centric interior features unique appointments including black Alcantara suede wrapping the instrument panel, headliner and steering wheel rim, while anodized red paddle shifters and red Alcantara suede performance seats add dramatic contrast to the interior.
For customers wanting an even bolder look, an optional Heritage Upgrade Package includes 20-inch exposed carbonfibre wheels with a unique gloss red-painted inner accent barrel, while monoblock brake calipers are lacquered in black and detailed with Brembo lettering in red. Inside, ghosted 98 roundels provide a subtle contrast on both driver and passenger carbonfibre door panels of this this package.
Ford GT Studio Collection
Ford Performance has also created an exclusive series for the supercar line-up known as the Ford GT Studio Collection. This all-new graphics package with customizable colours highlights key styling elements, including the functional cooling ducts that helps the 2021 Ford GT deliver all 660 horsepower during the most strenuous, high-temperature sessions at the track.
The body and graphics can be customized with seven standard colours or further personalized with an extended palette offering endless colour combinations for even greater exclusivity. Only 40 cars are slated to receive the Studio Collection package across the 2021 and 2022 model years.
Ford originally planned to make just 500 units over two years from 2016. But demand was so great (some 6,500 people wanted to buy one when it was announced) that another two years of production were added, raising total output to 1,000 units. Then in 2018, the company again extended the production period that was to have ended in 2020 to 2022, and added another 350 units.
Ford GT40 at Le Mans in 1966.
So for now, production is to end in 2022 with a total of 1,350 units delivered. But with a new President, Jim Farley, coming on board and one who is a car guy – and even goes racing himself – things may change. We might even see more sports-focussed models in coming years…
Visit Sime Darby Auto ConneXion to know more about Ford models available in Malaysia, including the Mustang which comes with full aftersales support.
There are still another two years of production to go for the Ford GT supercar and the engineers at Ford Performance haven’t stopped trying to make it better. For 2020, upgrades include increased power of 660 bhp with improved cooling for the 3.5-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine.
“Ford GT continues to be the pinnacle of Ford performance,” said Ed Krenz, Ford Performance Chief Program Engineer. “GT is always the ultimate expression of Ford racing innovation, and as we know from the 1966 Le Mans through today, that means constantly raising our game for our customers as well as earning the checkered flag.”
Continuous EcoBoost Innovation
Beyond producing 13 more bhp than the EcoBoost engine in the 2017 – 2019 GT, the 2020 GT’s engine has a broader torque band and revised engine calibration. There are also mechanical upgrades that include gallery-cooled pistons and higher-energy ignition coils, thanks to lessons learned from the limited-edition, track-only GT Mk II.
Additional engine cooling and airflow updates includes new buttress air ducts designed to increase airflow by 50% while larger intercoolers keep charge air temperatures cooler, preserving peak power for the most strenuous, high-temperature sessions at the track.
Suspension damping is increased in track mode to further enhance handling and body control, particularly for those high-speed transient sections of closed-course circuits.
New standard Akrapovic titanium exhaust
Ford Performance is also introducing the premium Akrapovic titanium exhaust as standard equipment for GT. Boasting the signature craftsmanship of these renowned race experts, this exhaust provides a 4-kg savings in weight over the previous system while delivering that deeply resonant, unmistakable sound emanating from the more powerful EcoBoost engine.
Liquid Carbon
Newly available Ford GT Liquid Carbon places an emphasis on GT’s lightweight sculpted carbonfibre body completely free of paint colour. A special clearcoat punctuates each GT’s unique carbonfibre weave in this limited-edition appearance option.
“This next chapter in the Ford GT story allows us to fully demonstrate our mastery in both the art and science of carbonfibre craftsmanship and finishing,” said Angus Smith, General Manager of Multimatic Niche Vehicles, North America. “The results of this ongoing partnership between Multimatic and Ford Performance speak for themselves, as each visually stunning and unique Liquid Carbon GT is a manufacturing marvel, showcasing the characteristics and nuances inherent in carbonfibre composites.”
Ford GT Liquid Carbon features carbonfibre wheels as standard equipment. Owners can choose titanium lugnuts, 6-point racing harness anchors, 5 interior options and 5 caliper colours. Further personalization is available through two over-the-top stripe options – the dual centre stripes offered on the standard Ford GT or the single stripe found on the Carbon Series, as well as optional painted mirror caps.
Updated Gulf Racing Heritage Livery
Ford Performance is also updating the GT’s iconic heritage livery with a new design (shown above) that includes a black pinstripe to divide the distinct blue and orange colours, recalling the 1968-69 Le Mans-winning GT40. The optional carbonfibre number switches from 9 on the 2019 model to 6 for 2020, matching that of the historic back-to-back winning car, chassis No. 1075. For the first time on a heritage model, carbonfibre wheels are available in place of aluminium alloy.
The folks from the Petersen Automotive Museum will be auctioning off the last public allocations for the new Ford GT in the name of charity. This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as the winning bidder gets to choose any available specification or trim which also includes the rear Heritage Edition and Carbon Series! (more…)
The new Ford GT supercar is coming! The new Ford GT supercar is coming! That’s now how Ford exactly made the announcement, but we imagined that someone in the company might have done it already.
That’s right, folks. The boys and girls from Ford will be making a very special appearance at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed this 4 July 2019 to celebrate everything fast and of course, the Independence Day of America. (more…)
John Cena, a well-known World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler, is being sued by the Ford Motor Company for breach of contract, according to an article by wxyz.com. See, Cena recently took delivery of a Ford GT, a supercar that requires and invitation from Ford itself, to purchase.
Unlike regular vehicles, one can’t simply walk into a Ford dealership and buy a Ford GT. The automaker gets to decide who is ‘worthy’ ro a own the car after a lengthy vetting process. Those who have owned the previous version are more likely to be placed higher on the list than someone who hasn’t.
Each individual owner who takes delivery of the car, has to sign a contract that prevents them from selling off the Ford GT for at least for 24 months. This clause was put in place to prevent buyers from flipping this rare and rather special car for a substantial profit. In Cena’s case, he sold the car after a few weeks.
And its for this very reason, Ford is taking him to court. The automaker feels that he didn’t honour the agreement and instead, bought the car to profit from its resale value. Cars that require an invitation to own, are far more valuable than those that can be purchased from the showroom floor.
Cena admitted to the act but clarified that it was done to clear other outstanding debts. He also stated that he is willing to work with Ford to make this right. Nobody knows exactly how this will play out though, but the automaker should have an iron-clad case against the wrestler due to this contract that he willingly signed.
The latest Ford GT builds on the success of its predecessors by offering cutting edge tech, efficient aerodynamics and bucket loads of power. Under the hood is an Ecoboost V6 engine that provides similar power figures to a V8 but weighing significantly less.
The Blue Oval has announced that it will be offering a heritage edition of its latest supercar, the Ford GT. Called the Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition, it is an attempt by the company to pay homage to the legendary 1967 GT40 Mark IV that made history by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Mark IV GT40 has a special place in the hearts of many Ford fans, because the car was a dominant force of the famous endurance race, outpacing Ferrari mind you, and taking home the crown four times in succession.
And as such, this new car, will feature the same paint scheme as well as unique interior features that not only set it apart from the regular car, but invoke a sense of heritage that can be traced all the way back to the mid 1960s.
“In creating a worthy successor to the ’66 Heritage edition, we logically looked at our next historic Le Mans victory with the all-American team of Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance.
He later added, “The Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition pays homage to that win, with a modern take on one of the most important vehicles in Ford’s storied history of racing.”
Buyers of the Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition will get a car that has a gloss-finish ‘race red’ paint scheme that is accented with contrasting white stripes and exposed carbon-fibre trim pieces. The number 1, will be placed on the hood, and doors of the car, which is a nod to the championship winning ’67 racer.
Apart from that, other aesthetic tweaks include a 20-inch forged aluminium wheels in silver satin clear coat with black wheel nuts as well as red calipers and silver rear view mirror caps.
On the inside, the car features a new leather trim with red accent stitching for the carbon-fibre seats, which is the same colour scheme adopted for the steering wheel. The seatbelt webbing is red in colour and the paddle shifters are anodized grey.
As proof of the car’s authenticity, there will be a unique serialized identification plate denoting the production number of the specific vehicle with respect to the total production number. Other bits include an exposed matte carbon fibre door sills and air register pods.
The new car is the second iteration of Ford’s homage to the 1967 Mark IV GT40 with the first being, its predecessor, the original Ford GT. The Ford GT ’67 Heritage edition can be viewed at FordGT.com using the configuration tool.
