The Ford GT concept debuted at the Detroit Auto show yesterday and was announced to sport a twin turbo V6 sourced from the Ford Taurus and then fettled with to the tune of 600hp. 0-60mph will be dealt with in 3 seconds. But enough about the numbers and typical stuff you can read anywhere. This car is very important to Ford in more ways than one.
To reference the title of this post, a halo car is a term that refers to the highest model in a make's lineup that usually defines the company image for the time it is in production. Halo cars are usually a leap forward for the manufacturer in one way or another and require a ton of research and development. This, of course, costs a ton of money. So to help spread this cost, a manufacturer will "trickle down" safety and performance technology over time. Styling for the other models in the lineup usually has one or two hat tips to this halo car also to help give the lineup a bit of continuity.
To understand a little more, crack open the dusty history books and you will find that the original Ford GT40 (named for it's 40 inch height) was designed to kill Ferrari at Le Mans. Ford had wanted a Le Mans racing program. You see, Ferrari was up for sale in the early 60's and Ford and Ferrari were coming close to a purchase agreement. When negotiations fell thru for Ford to buy Ferrari, Henry Ford II was furious and Ford pooled resources from the UK and collaborated to create a mid mounted supercar to last the grueling 24 hour endurance race. Ferrari had swept Le Mans from 1960 to 1965 claiming consecutive championships, so naturally they had the bulls eye on their back. After a few years of dismal results for Ford, the GT40 finished 1-2-3 in 1966 shocking many, including Ferrari.
The Mark I and Mark II were powered by mid mounted V8's from the Mustang (4.7L for the Mark I) and the Galaxie (7.0L for the Mark II). The most recent Ford GT sported a supercharged V8 massaged from the version in the Cobra.
So then, you can see where a many internet benchracers are have complained in various comment outlets because this GT "ain't gotta V8". Sure, it looks great, has a hugely updated interior and ticks most of the supercar boxes. But let's talk about that engine a little more and why it is so important. Traditionally, this is a confusing choice for Ford since the original variations and the retro styled modern GT all sported mid mounted V8's. But the answer is this: the EcoBoost platform and, perhaps more importantly, the F150.
The EcoBoost range of engines for Ford has been a godsend for their lineup. Good performance with good fuel economy. They have put it in everything - the Fusion, Focus, Fiesta, Flex, even the Mustang. But we all know what Ford's bread and butter is - the F150. With more pressing emissions regulations, manufacturers are having to sway buyers away from their V8's. Trucks make up a huge amount of this market, so it makes sense that Ford would be pushing this more ideal blend of performance and economy.
By putting the EcoBoost V6 in the Ford GT, Ford is hoping that brand loyalists and new customers alike will see the same engine that is in their Taurus and F150 also shows up in the supercar sitting in the showroom.
So then it may not seem so odd to hear that the Ferrari 458 replacement will also be pushing a turbo V6....
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