The GT features a hand-built aluminum 5.4-liter DOHC supercharged V8 developing 500-hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. A rear-mounted Ricardo 6-speed manual transaxle drives the rear wheels.
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| The GT features a hand-built 500-hp aluminum 5.4-liter DOHC supercharged V8. (Photo: Ford Motor) |
The powerful V8 combined with the GT's lightweight aluminum/composite construction yielded a 3.3 second 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) sprint, according to Car & Driver magazine. During the same test it crossed the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at 128 mph (206 km/h). Of interest the GT's legendary rival Ferrari, a USD$193,000 (CAD$252,526) Challenge Stradale being the test car in the same C&D test, only managed 0 to 60 mph in four seconds while being 0.8 seconds and 13 mph (21 km/h) slower over the quarter mile.
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| "The 2005 Ford GT is the result of a dream that has existed within Ford Motor Company since the day the GT40 program ended more than 30 years ago." (Photo: Ford Motor) |
Ford is no doubt happy with the C&D results, besting its prancing horse motorsport competitor once again.
"The 2005 Ford GT is the result of a dream that has existed within Ford Motor Company since the day the GT40 program ended more than 30 years ago," commented John Coletti, director of Ford SVT programs.
The GT is one of five new Ford cars and crossovers set to debut in 2004, including the Five Hundred flagship sedan, Freestyle crossover SUV, updated Focus, redesigned Escape SUV, Escape Hybrid, as well as the much anticipated, entirely new 1960s inspired Mustang. This is an unprecedented new model lineup for Ford, which the brand hopes will translate into a banner year financially.