We love it when manufacturers take the time to make short "behind-the-scenes" clips about a new model. And when that new model is the 2017 Ford GT, for us gearheads, a glimpse into the production process is just what the doctor ordered. The following video shows the 2017 Ford GT out on track, and we have to say... that exhaust note is sick! Sick like "can I make that my ringtone?"
Garen Nicoghosian - here's a name you don't run into every day - the man in charge of the GT's exterior look, talks about the challenges of designing the next iteration of the iconic sports car.
"We designed the GT as a road car, but early on it was very obvious that it'll make a heck of a GT racer. So we started to really think about making it a little more hard-core."
Now that's what we like to hear about an upcoming sports car! By all means, Ford, make it as hard-core as it can be! But are we talking Corvette-level hard-core? Ferrari? Aston Martin?
In the video, aerodynamicist Bernie Marcus talks about coming up with the perfect-shaped car to win competitions. Ford means business with the new GT, campaigned by Chip Ganassi Racing, and promises to enter two cars in the North-American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and two in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Next June, all four are also set to compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours race. That's where the GT really needs to shine if it hopes to walk in the GT40's shoes. More so since 2016 will mark the 50th anniversary of the GT40's Le Mans victory.
The 2017 Ford GT, which premiered at this year's NAIAS, is powered by a mid-mounted 3.5 liter V6 EcoBoost engine. Ford says it's the most powerful EcoBoost unit it has ever made, with over 600 hp (630, according to at least one source). All sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. Less than 1,000 Ford GTs are planned for production, at an estimated price of around $400,000.
We're going to leave you with this awesome quote from Garen Nicoghosian:
"What we would like to do is make sure that whatever we pass off is worthy of little kids' posters 10 years from now, 15 years from now."
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