NEW CAR PRICES AND RESEARCH

2005 Ford GT
Writer's Notes 2005 Ford GT Specifications Base price: $150,000 (estimated) Engine: 5.4-liter supercharged V8 (500 hp @6,000 rpm, 500 lb.-ft. torque @4,500 rpm) Transmission: 6-speed manual Wheelbase: 106.7 in. Length: 182.8 in. Width: 76.9 in. Height: 44.3 in. Head/hip/legroom: 35.4/57.8/44.6 in. Curb weight, lbs.: 3400 Fuel economy: 12 city/21 highway mpg (estimated) Safety equipment: Driver and passenger frontal airbags; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS 5 questions about the 2005 Ford GT Why is the Ford GT so important? The new 2005 Ford GT is the street-racer version of the legendary Ford GT40, the car that allowed Ford to dominate Le Mans, and the rest of the European race circuit in the late 1960s. Never before in its 33 years of this endurance event had this race been won by an American-built car. When was the new GT introduced and when will it be available in dealerships? Codenamed Petunia, the Ford GT debuted at the Detroit auto show in January 2002. Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Chairman, gave the go-ahead for production of the new model a few months after its unveiling, and the first three cars were revealed in June, at Ford's 100th Birthday Party, in Dearborn, Michigan. One of the three, a white-with-blue-pinstripe model, was made exclusively for Bill Ford. Ford expects to build some 1500 cars that will be available as 2005 models next year. Why was the original called the GT 40? GT stood for "Grand Touring" and the 40 referred to the car's height in inches. Because it was so low, Ford installed the famous "Gurney bubble" on some versions, so that the tall racer, Dan Gurney, could fit inside. The new Ford GT is slightly taller at 44.3 inches, with 35.4 inches of headroom. What is the engine and transmission on the GT? The engine is a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that was derived from the Ford's existing 5.4-liter SOHC supercharged V8 in the SVT F-150 Lightning. For the GT, a new aluminum block with high-flow, four-valve cylinder heads was developed. The new engine gets dual overhead cams and utilizes a forged-steel crankshaft, stronger con-rods, and forged aluminum pistons to handle the massive output of 500-hp. and 500-lb.-ft. of torque. That power arrives through a supercharger by Eaton that supplies up to 12.0-psi of boost, and dual 70mm throttle bodies direct the air/fuel mixture. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. How does it handle? We drove the new GT at the GingerMan Raceway, in South Haven, Michigan on a 1.8-mile-long asphalt track, and on nearby roads through the countryside. Not unexpectedly, it's the most attention-getting mainstream model we've ever driven on the street. It is far more mannered that we expected, however, with superb handling in every facet of its drive. Its power is exhilarating and comes on in a steady stream of low-end torque, even when motoring in third gear. Its Brembo brakes are strong and match its go-power, but are measured and come with a great pedal feel. Rack-and-pinion steering is tight, but not twitchy, even cornering at speed in hard bends. Low slung, it is not for those who loath small spaces, and this 5ft. 2-inch tester needed a rubber cushion to reach all pedals, but it was a small price to pay for a performance ride. Hopefully, Ford will lengthen the seat tracking. Comments or suggestions about this review? Send an e-mail to: editor@autobytel.com Autobytel Inc. operates the popular automotive websites Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, Carsmart.com, and Autosite.com. xxx	South Haven, Michigan: I watch as Chrysa Agroyianni bends low and places her cell phone near the exhaust pipes of the new Ford. "I'm letting my son listen to the new GT," she explains, with a wide smile, as I make a mental note; this is the first time I have ever seen someone so excited about the exhaust note of a Ford. Agroyianni is the Public and Government Affairs Manager for Ford of Greece. So, it's really no surprise that she's bullish on the road-ready version of the famed Ford GT 40. But, her teenaged son is thousands of miles across the ocean, in Greece, and she reports that he is over-the-moon about this legendary two-seater, whose rebirth has been long awaited by enthusiasts around the world. Soon, others in our covey of international auto writers and public relations folks, who are all helmeted and eager to drive the highest-priced street model Ford on the planet, follow Agroyianni's lead-a cadre of cell phones transmit the exhaust note of a new car that represents some of the greatest hopes and dreams ever of the Blue Oval. In the realm of six-figure supercars, Ferrari exemplifies the gold standard. Other manufacturers look to the prancing horse when developing their own street-legal racers. Ford's new entry, the 2005 GT, hopes to forego gold status and instead gain instant platinum recognition by out-machining the similarly priced Ferrari 360 Modena. 2005 will not be the first time that Ford takes aim at Ferrari. In the early 1960s, the Italians were dominating European racing circuits and winning several championships, including the coveted 24-hour Grand Prix d'Endurance in Le Mans, France. To contend seriously at Le Mans, Ford needed a car that could both reach 200-mph and maintain high speeds for an entire day of work. Initially Ford hoped to buy Ferrari but, when the sale fell through, they established their own racing program. After only a few years of development, the Ford GT40, with its mid-mounted 7-liter V8 and aluminum construction, won the endurance race at Le Mans in 1966. It was the first time the U.S. experienced victory in this international classic. And, not only did Ford win, this American nameplate took the top three places. The GT40, dubbed "GT" to represent Grand Touring and "40" for its height in inches, continued to win, beating the Ferraris for four consecutive years through 1969. The GT returns Just as the original GT40s outperformed Ferraris on the track, Ford hopes the new GT will win the championship crown on the street. The exterior styling of the "Centennial Supercar" remains true to its '60s predecessor, and yet, at the same time, the two do not share a single dimension; the new model is more than 18 inches longer and close to 4 inches taller. Ferrari may recognize the skin of its 60s opponent, but the guts of the new Ford GT are truly modern. Both forward- and rearward-facing functional air scoops contribute to the hood's sculpted appearance. The front overhang is long and uses an integrated bumper, maintaining the classic look while conforming to modern safety standards. The headlights are mounted in clear enclosures that promote wind flow, but unlike the old lamps, the new units are bi-xenon with integrated signal lights. Along the sides, door scoops, like those seen on a classic Mustang and the GT40, retain the old look while effectively moving air. Smaller air ducts above them on the quarter panels supplement these scoops. The original car used the same layout. Around back, the rear clip tapers back from bottom to top, and single round taillights with centered reverse lights maintain the 60's look. A floating bumper meets safety regulations without compromising the angle of the tail. To reduce lift, a subtle decklid spoiler has been added. The structure and drivetrain layout of the GT is also consistent with those of the original racer. Aiming to optimize front/rear balance, the vehicle is RWD with a mid-mounted engine. The GT uses an all-aluminum space frame that was developed with both rigidity and lightness in mind - two essential qualities of a racecar. Additionally, the body panels are made of aluminum, but the necessary shapes were beyond the means of the normal stamping process. Instead, "super plastic forming", a technique that involves heating aluminum and blowing it with air over a one-sided mold, was employed in creating the skin. Although the engine is visible through the rear window, opening the massive clamshell reveals it in full. The mill is a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that was derived from the Ford's existing 5.4-liter SOHC supercharged V8 in the SVT F-150 Lightning. For the GT, a new aluminum block with high-flow, four-valve cylinder heads was developed. The new engine gets dual overhead cams and utilizes a forged-steel crankshaft, stronger con-rods, and forged aluminum pistons to handle the massive output of 500-hp. and 500-lb.-ft. of torque. That power arrives through a supercharger by Eaton that supplies up to 12.0-psi of boost, and dual 70mm throttle bodies direct the air/fuel mixture. Two components of the engine are essential to the GT as a whole. A dry-sump oil system provides the best lubrication even under extreme changes of direction, says Ford, and a twin-plate clutch minimizes pedal effort while providing adequate torque handling. When compared with the SVT Mustang Cobra, the engine in the GT sits 4 inches lower, thanks to these pieces. As a result, the center of gravity resides lower, and the short profile of the tail end is preserved. Bolted to that special clutch is a 6-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential. Effectively transferring all the power to the pavement requires the right shoes, and Ford has fitted the GT with 315/40ZR19 tires on 19-inch wheels at the rear. Up front, 18-inchers are used, with 235/45ZR18s. Brembo brakes, with 14-in. rotors at the nose and 13.2 inchers out back provide stopping power, and the configuration gets four-channel ABS. Suspension, both fore and aft, features unequal length control arms, coil springs, and anti-roll bars. Climbing into the interior requires opening the unique front-hinged doors. Although they swing in the traditional direction, the sheetmetal of the doors extends into the horizontal plane of the roof. The look with the doors open is reminiscent of the 't-top' roof of a Datsun 240Z or Chevy Camaro. Once inside, occupants are supported by Sparco carbon fiber seats, with leather surfaces. A brushed magnesium tunnel splits the cockpit, and the 6-speed shifter is offset to the left towards the driver. A large tachometer is center mounted behind the wheel, and five toggle switches, as in the old car, control functions such as the headlights and rear defroster. Standard features inside include a leather-wrapped, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, a single disc CD player, power windows and locks, remote control outside mirrors, remote keyless entry, and manually controlled air conditioning. For those looking to upgrade, a better 260-watt sound system with an 8-in. subwoofer is available. If luxury is in mind, the Leather Interior option provides black leather on the instrument panel, headliner, door panels, and center console armrest. Both driver and passenger frontal airbags are standard, although they can be shut off via an airbag deactivation switch on the center console. Headroom in the interior has slightly increased, lending to an overall height about 4-in. taller than the 60s GT40. One of Ford's primary goals in developing the GT was assuring that it was true to the original GT40. In a sense, the car was conceived from the outside-in, since the classic look had to be maintained. But while external appearance has been preserved, the internals respond to modern standards and demand. Ferrari may recognize the skin of its 60s opponent, but the guts of the new Ford GT are truly modern. --Photos Courtesy of Ford North America --Story by Sue Mead Sue Mead works as a photojournalist and features writer for more than two dozen publications. She has written for Parade, Popular Science, Open Road, the Road & Track Buyers Guide, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics and Diversion and she has worked as an auto editor for CNN/fn. Sue has co-driven in two of the world's toughest off-road races, the Baja 1000 and the Paris-Dakar Raid. She attended four Camel Trophy adventures for Land Rover North America and has participated in several long-distance adventure drives. She recently completed her first book, "Monster Trucks and Tractors" published by Chelsea House. Sue lives in New England.