When the Detroit Motor Show is done, Ford’s new GT could be the one people remember, but not necessarily for those in South Africa where there’s no word of its arrival. And while previous GT models have always put grunt and metal before tech and carbon fibre, the latest Ford GT will be different. Very different in fact to the original GT40 which in 1966 took every step of the podium at Le Mans.
We say this because there’s a new Ecoboost engine and not the puny type either or an in-vogue hybrid version but instead a substantial 3.5-litre V6 twin turbo which to us brings back memories of the Noble M400 with its turbo Ford V6 engine. No exact figures yet but 450kW has been reported and 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds
The latest 2016 Ford GT makes extensive use of carbon fibre and Ford say the new GT will have one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car. Are you thinking Noble again? Aside from cutting weight, the new Ford GT focuses heavily on aero and maximising cooling efficiency to the tightly packaged engine while that huge rear wing is adjustable between top speed and maximum downforce.
Some brave souls have even hinted about possibly getting one ready for Le Mans…
