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2005 Ford GT Fastest Ford Brand Car Ever
By Robb Mahr << click for bio

DEARBORN, Mich., June 7, 2004 (FCN) -- It's official -- the Ford GT is the fastest
production road car ever produced to wear the Ford badge.

During engineering testing for
high-speed stability and
powertrain durability at Italy's
Nardo test facility, the Ford GT
supercar was certified for a top
speed of 205 mph. In 1966, the
Ford GT40 reached a top speed
of 201 mph on the Mulsanne
Straight during the 24 hours of
LeMans endurance race in
France.

"The engineering team has once
again outdone themselves," said
John Coletti, director of Ford SVT programs. "This is a major accomplishment and
puts the Ford GT among the ranks of the greatest sports cars in history."

The Ford GT engineering team took two cars to the Nardo test facility to conduct the
high-speed stability evaluations and run a 500-mile durability test. The team
decided to pay careful attention to the aerodynamics of the 2005 version because
the 1966 GT40 race car exhibited major lift at high speeds.

In order to not disturb the exterior design seen at the 2002 Detroit International Auto
Show, the engineering team made most of their aerodynamic changes on the
underside of the vehicle. As a result, the only difference between the show car and
the production version is a subtle rear spoiler extension, front and side splitters and
venturi tunnels wrapped under the rear clip.

Mark McGowan, Ford GT vehicle dynamics supervisor, who drove during the
Nardo testing said, "Driving at speeds above 200 mph was remarkably uneventful,
which is a very positive outcome."

How does it feel to drive at that speed?

"Fast!" said McGowan. "It's quite the experience, but the car is very stable. At 205
miles an hour it's basically flat to the floor (with the throttle). You can leave it there;
the only constraint on this car is how much fuel you have."

McGowan said the car, with its 550-horsepower 5.4-liter double overhead cam
(DOHC) supercharged engine, really moves. The GT covers a quarter mile in
approximately 11 seconds and achieves 128 miles an hour in that distance.

"But getting up to the 205 certified high-speed limit takes about four miles, because
of aerodynamic drag," he said.

The engine also was put to the test at Nardo. The engineering team required a
500-mile test at or near maximum speeds to prove-out the strength and durability of
the powertrain. Not only did the engine exhibit strong acceleration, but also passed
the durability test without any significant problems.

"The Ford GT is performing at levels of super exotic sports cars that cost three and
four times as much money, and it still meets all the engineering and quality
requirement of any Ford vehicle program," said Coletti. "That's no small feat, but a
showcase of the passion and talent that resides within the company."

The 2005 Ford GT is being built at Ford's Wixom (Mich.) Assembly Plant.
Production will begin this summer