The 2017 Ford GT: “Driven by the Aero”
The more we see of Ford’s ever-looming supercar, the 2017 GT, the more we like, especially since we know a lot of the advanced tech will soon trickle down to the rest of the company.
The latest extremely likable example comes to us via the Ford Performance video below, which delves into the development of the GT. We also get some never-before-seen footage of the supercar’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine on the dyno. And best yet, we get to revel at a prototype rocketing around Sebring for a first test.
“This car’s function is to win at Le Mans,” says Raj Nair, Ford’s Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Global Product Development. Nair then goes on to explain how form follows function. “We started with aerodynamics. And the fact that it came out beautiful is fantastic, and the team did a great job, but it was driven by the aerodynamics first.”
Even the engine choice was “driven by the aero.” And for all those folks that think the twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine seems small for a supercar, Ford addresses your concerns head on.
“It’s the right decision to go with the one that’s race proven,” says Dave Pericak, Director of Ford Perfomance.
If the function of the car is to win at Le Mans, it’s kind of hard to argue with him, considering the success the engine has already had. We’ll know in 2016, when Ford plans to enter the GT in the LM GTE Pro class, 50 years after the car’s historic 1966 overall victory.
Till then, we’ll just have to watch the video below, over and over and over…
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
Via [Ford Performance]
