A Thought On the Ford GT

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
05/25/2016 at 19:45 • Filed to: Ford GT

I was thinking it was sort of odd that we still haven’t heard any real figures on this unabashed plagiarism of the best parts of my dream diary that Ford simply designated as “GT.” I don’t know about you, but usually when a ‘Murican automaker does performance, they do it as an obvious bargain compared to the market. So that got me wondering, “What if that $400k price point is still a performance bargain?”

At $350k starting, the McLaren 675LT’s curb weight of 2,950lb, 666hp, and 516lb-ft of torque seem like a troff full of performance to me. That’s a power-to-weight ratio of 4.43 lb/hp . Obviously the name of the game is “power-to-weight ratio” with a focus on the weight part as opposed to the power part.

Knowing that Ford is aiming to have “the best power-to-weight ratio,” what would you guess the Ford GT’s curb weight and horsepower to likely be around?

Let’s think more along these lines, 499 LaFerraris were made. Those cars had a curb weight of 3,500 lbs (the mid-2000s Ford GT weighs in at 3,350 lbs by the way) and a total system output of 950 hp. That’s a power-to-weight ratio of 3.68 lb/hp . Obviously Ford is going to beat the Ferrari, or else what’s the point! Doesn’t a $400k car with the same or MORE performance as a $1.4 million vehicle (well I think they are hitting $5 million now) sound like that good ol’ fashion ‘Murican performance value we know and love?

Let’s say the Ford GT sets a curb weight matching the Alfa Romeo 4C at 2,450 lbs. If that 3.5L V6 is making 700 hp we’ll have a power-to-weight ratio of 3.5 lb/hp , which bests that FerraLaRari. Plus, as long as the GT can hit 218 mph from the factory, we have something that’s faster than the LaFezza and the BatMacca. I don’t see why Ford wouldn’t take the opportunity as well in making sure the engine is over 707 hp and becoming the “most powerful, fastest, lightest, most exclusive, most aerodynamically advanced, most carbon intensive, most superlative havingness ” American production performance car...EVER!!

DISCUSSION (25)

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 19:56

Wait, you think that the GT will weigh 2450 lbs? That seems really low.

LongbowMkII > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 19:57

I don't know. This just seems like a make up for not fully cashing in on the last GT.

dsgolson > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 19:59

There is no way the GT will weigh under 2,500lbs

Wobbles the Mind > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
05/25/2016 at 20:02

The weight isn’t what I’m interested in because it’s obviously going to be under the 675LT. It’s the power figure because it has to be over 700 hp for it to be the power-to-weight incredibleness Ford was hinting at.

Wobbles the Mind > dsgolson
05/25/2016 at 20:07

My thought too, which is why I’m thinking that V6 is being pushed to some crazy figure above 700 hp. I’d be surprised if the GT weighs under 2,800 lbs. But I also don’t know the size of the thing either though...the Alfa is crazy wide, it’s only the wheel base that makes it believable. The GT is using a lot more structural and aerodynamic technology than the $50k Alfa, so I can see it getting a dry weight around 2,400 lbs, but not curb weight...

CRider > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 20:07

They claimed to aim for the best power to weight of any car. I don’t know how they plan on doing that but it’ll sure be fun to watch them try. They also must be aiming to make it the most powerful Ford ever built, so 662 is the baseline power figure.

Kinja'd!!!

Blondude > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 20:09

I’m betting 630 hp and ~2,900 lbs for the GT giving it a 4.6 lbs/hp ratio.

That’s close to what Forza 6's stats are for it and the SVT Raptor’s real life specs ended up being pretty close to the in-game specs (450 hp and “500 lbs lighter than the outgoing model” aka 5600 lbs vs. 451 hp and 5699 lbs).

Wobbles the Mind > CRider
05/25/2016 at 20:11

I can’t imagine they were thinking of that at the time. I think the Veyron had a 3.37 lb/hp, and I kind of believe Ford is going for that. But that means the car has be well into the 700 hp range or this thing weighs far less than a base Fiesta. Or BOTH!

Wobbles the Mind > Blondude
05/25/2016 at 20:14

That was my thought too, but it seems weird that Ford have a car that gets beaten in every spec by a 675LT. Why make the buyers do a song and dance routine for it then?! I think if Ford can hide an entire car, they can hide weight and engine output, which are the only two things most of us need to know to figure out it’s performance cred.

Hot Takes Salesman > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 20:41

I’m hoping that the Ford’s carbon tub chassis brilliance can beat out other cars with more power

CRider > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 20:44

LM GTE Pro rules set the base weight of a race car at about 2,800 lbs. I’m expecting the street car to be at least that heavy.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 20:59

This was really interesting. I’m sure they considered performance value when the pricing was decided on. But another angle on the price is the business perspective. When they made the first GT, it needed to be a bargain because Ford was exploring uncharted territory with that car. Now though, they’ve established a legendary reputation for the GT, so they can ask more for one.

Also, the GT became an instant classic, and is already worth a shitload of money. I’m sure they’ve noticed that too, and also factored that into the pricing. Personally, I don’t think the next GT will appreciate like the the original did, but that’s something Ford knows is definitely on all of the buyers’ minds. So the price goes up as a result of the original’s unintentional success as an investment too.

My bird IS the word > dsgolson
05/25/2016 at 21:03

They are going to put helium in the tires

dogisbadob > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 21:09

One part Skaycog, one part For Canada.

The finest Canadian supercar ever. It will be a fine competitor to the American NSX. The reason Ford is charging 450k is because Canadian prices are higher,.

It will probably weigh about 3200 lb, or 1500 kg, that would be my guess. Hopefully the snow performance will be what you’d expect from a Canadian car.

But I still don’t think it will be worth 400k. Their configurator is good evidence of this, as really premium cars let you build it any way you want. The color selection is way too limited. The interior quality will also show. At this ultra-elite exotic price range, it’s about more than just the performance. It has to feel special. Otherwise, just get a Shelby Mustang or a Hellcat.

With all the applications Ford received (about 7000), their Canadian contractor Mutlimatic will have at least 10 years of work, even if only a fraction of the applicants can actually afford one. And then they have to pick it up at the same lot as a 14k Fiesta.

GT is kind of a lame name. Why not GT60 (the original GT40, then maybe the one from 10 years ago could’ve been GT50, so the upcoming car would be GT60)? or perhaps GT Multimatic?

Too bad Ford never made the GT90. That thing is awesome.

Nauraushaun > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 21:12

There’s no logical reason to believe it will be as light as the alfa. To my eye it’s a much bigger car, has a much bigger engine, and when have American cars been known for their lightness?

wafflesnfalafel > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 21:16

I’m kinda hoping for more in car performance adjustability - you could get 1000hp out of it if you wanted to but that kind of blow would have blown most things up 20 years ago. Now with all sorts of digital control you ought be able to maximize power where it isn’t going to cause other problems and dial it back to make sure you don’t vaporize the drive train. And maybe a mode just to shoot flames out the back even bigger than a Lambo.

Wobbles the Mind > Nauraushaun
05/25/2016 at 21:22

True that! But if a Koenigsegg One:1 can get under 3,000 lbs, I don’t see why Ford can’t get a V6, carbon fiber, gorilla glass, wholely sided glider to the same weight. I can see a dry weight matching the Alfa’s curb weight though.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 21:23

It’ll probably be around 3000 lbs, and over 662 Hp. I’m not sure how much they can push that V6.

Wobbles the Mind > Hot Takes Salesman
05/25/2016 at 21:27

I’m thinking it will be like the LFA, plenty of performance but not enough to kill anything on track of paper. But the EXPERIENCE makes it priceless, just like the last Ford GT from what I hear. Or LFA, from what I hear. Or last NSX, from what I hear...damn I don’t get to experience anything!

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Wobbles the Mind
05/25/2016 at 21:40

Nothin’ like that V6 supercar experience!!

Wobbles the Mind > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
05/25/2016 at 21:42

Hey, the XJ220 is my favorite supercar so I can’t say anything!

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > Nauraushaun
05/25/2016 at 21:44

You say that but you realize the Sonic weights the same as a Mini, right?

Also I don’t think the GT will be that light either. I’d guess 2,9xx lbs

Nauraushaun > Wobbles the Mind
05/26/2016 at 00:18

But the One:1 is still >50% (500kg) heavier than the 4C. Getting a car to that sort of weight requires using a tiny carbon tub, tiny engine, and not much else.

I think the GT will be 1500kg, more than the One:1. And I don’t really see it being a solid competitor for the current breed of performance cars. Mclaren are smashing it at the moment - if specs are all you care about.

Nauraushaun > Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast
05/26/2016 at 00:23

I do now. But the Mini isn’t especially light either, it’s an open secret that the current car is only Mini in name.

Look at other American performance cars. The cherished Hellcat weighs over 2000kg somehow! The current ‘Vette and Viper are reasonably lean. But saying that, they’ve got 700kg on the 4C.

hike > Wobbles the Mind
05/26/2016 at 08:06

I'd probably laugh my ass off it Ford rated the engine at 708 hp and called it the most powerful American production car ever. But realistically, I'd expect it to way about 3300 pounds.