New Ford GT to serve as test bed for future models

Ford's most anticipated new model to date – the 647bhp, 216mph (345kph), 1,000-units and Rs 4.13 crore GT supercar – which was revealed recently is to serve as a test bed for new technologies and advanced lightweight materials for future vehicles across the Ford model line-up.

“When we began work on the all-new Ford GT in 2013, the team had three goals,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice-president of product development and chief technical officer. “The first was to use it as a training ground for our engineers as we develop future engine technology and stretch our understanding of aerodynamics. Then to push the boundaries of advanced material usage such as lightweight carbon fibre. Finally, we set out to win the Le Mans 24 Hours, referred to by many as the ultimate test of endurance and efficiency.”

The American carmaker combined several of its performance teams – Ford SVT, Team RS, Ford Racing, performance vehicle parts and merchandise licensing – into a single group called Ford Performance. “Without this kind of integrated teamwork and combined organisation, it would have been impossible to deliver the all-new Ford GT in its current form,” said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “This kind of collaboration was critical to not only bringing Ford GT back to life but for experimenting with the kind of innovations needed to create the ultimate supercar.”

The 2005 Ford GT featured a lightweight aluminium alloy body that helped reduce weight to improve performance, which led to the innovative use of high-strength aluminium alloy in today’s Ford F-Series pickup trucks – shedding hundreds of kilograms of weight, while also improving capability, performance and fuel efficiency.

A key goal was to reduce drag and optimise downforce – giving the supercar stability and grip on the track while accelerating, cornering and braking. Ford is working with partners, including Multimatic and DowAksa, to develop new ways to enable faster, high-volume production of carbon fibre parts in the future.

Stretching the aerodynamic envelope
The Ford GT team optimised every shape to make it as aerodynamic as possible. A key goal was to reduce drag and optimise downforce – giving the supercar stability and grip on the track while accelerating, cornering and braking.

The GT’s aerodynamics change on demand to meet varying driving conditions, thanks to moveable elements around the body, including special ducts in the front, and a large deployable wing. The flaps open and close depending on whether GT’s wing is up or down, so the car remains aerodynamically balanced from front to back at all speeds. When the wing is up, the ducts close to increase downforce; when the wing is down, the ducts open to decrease downforce.

The supercar’s wing includes all-new Ford technology – a patent-pending design that changes the shape of the aerofoil for maximum efficiency when fully deployed. The unique design also includes a small gurney flap which, when combined with the shape change, results in a 14 per cent improvement in overall efficiency.

The compact six-cylinder design of the car’s EcoBoost engine aids GT’s aerodynamics, and allowed the team to taper its fuselage to more efficient dimensions than a larger V8 configuration engine would have allowed. The low placement of the engine’s turbochargers and outboard placement of the turbo intercoolers ahead of the rear wheels help to taper the fuselage around the engine.

The GT's aerodynamics produce positive downforce in all conditions. At high ride height, the downforce has a balance of 30 per cent front. In low ride height, the downforce balance is maintained at 29 percent front.

Most powerful EcoBoost
The GT’s 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine is the company’s most powerful EcoBoost ever, delivering 647bhp. The team also created innovative anti-lag turbo technology that can help maximise the GT’s ability to power out of corners. This technology works by keeping the throttle open when the driver is not pressing the accelerator pedal. The fuel injectors are off, but turbo speed and boost are maintained for faster engine response and acceleration as soon as the driver hits the accelerator pedal.

“All of the weight savings and engine advancements served a singular purpose – creating the fastest, most-efficient Ford GT ever,” Pericak said. “Once that was achieved, we reinvested some of those weight savings in truly innovative technology that made the car even faster and more fun to drive.”