Feuds between some of the world’s richest and most powerful industrialists are guaranteed to produce some spectacular results.
That’s exactly what happened when Henry Ford decided to throw down and create a vehicle that could break Ferrari’s yoke in the high performance world of Le Mans.
And that’s exactly what they did.
The resulting GT40 (so named for being only 40 inches tall) went on to become one of the icons of the ultimate endurance race and showed that American muscle could best Italian performance, even at a fraction of the cost.
Ford revived the icon in the 2000s as the Ford GT, but limited production cut short a glorious return to road and track by the cult classic. Now Ford are well on their way to releasing the latest incarnation of this fire-breather, just in time to shake up the 2016 Le Mans grid.
The new GT looks fresh and furious, while retaining its heritage with its sweeping body punctuated with razor sharp edges and the sexiest flying buttresses we’ve seen in a while.
The carbon-fibre body takes a slight departure from previous GT40 and Ford GT designs. Almost as a sign of its induction into the supercar garage of fame, the doors now swing upwards and outwards.
Powering the blue oval latest g-force gladiator is a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 derived from Ford’s Daytona prototype race cars.With 600 hp and a seven-speed dual clutch trans-axle transmission at your disposal, getting those 20 inch moving should be a cinch and with carbon ceramic brakes, stopping shouldn’t be a problem either.
With fully active suspension and aerodynamics, the new GT is absolutely purpose built to thrill, while offering you more (or less if you so choose) control over your car’s set up via a beautifully crafted cockpit with a layout that makes a clear statement of intent.
Fast, functional and not overly fancy such as what one may expect on the interior of something obnoxiously red or yellow.
Though Ford isn’t admitting it just yet, rumours are doing the rounds that the car will compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016, embracing its heritage as America’s greatest contender.
