Europe: Meet The Ford GT

[Don]

NEWSDAY

Tom Incantalupo
ROAD TEST
Europe, meet the Ford GT

September 5, 2004


For those who live life in the fast lane, Ford has built a 200-mph-plus Ferrari-fighter, the 2005 GT. But, except on tracks, there are few lanes in the world where one can let this remarkable sports car flex its muscles.



Ford thinks most owners, though, will race them on tracks at some point. The rest can only dream of open roads with no speed limits.



Not that there ever will be many GT owners. Prices start at about $140,000 plus freight. Not including a radio, by the way. The heavily optioned tester stickered at almost $156,000, including a $2,100 federal gas-guzzler tax.



Ford plans to produce only about 4,500 GTs over the next three model years.



That the GT is fast is no surprise, given the 550-hp. V-8 that sits just behind the passengers. Ford says top speed is 205 mph (as governed for retail sale; GTs have attained about 212 mph in tests, Ford says.) Zero to 60 took an amazing 3.3 seconds in Car and Driver's testing.



The 5.4-liter engine is a heavily modified version of those used in the SVT Mustang Cobra and F-150 Lightning, and it is boosted by a supercharger. There is no discernible lag before the supercharger does its thing. Peak engine torque of 500 pounds- feet is attained at 4,500 rpms.



The real surprise is how drivable the GT is through everyday traffic, with a clutch that's heavy but not overly so, steering that requires only moderate effort even at parking-lot speeds and a ride that's firm but not nearly as punishing as one might expect. The very hard Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires on 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rears produce what discomfort there is and also seem to set off some rattles and squeaks from the body and interior pieces. An aluminum space frame provides the car's structure, while aluminum panels make up the skin.



Brakes are extra powerful Brembo discs. There's a limited slip differential but no traction or stability control.



The only real difficulty one encounters in driving the GT is in reversing or changing lanes; rear visibility is poor in part because of the bracing around the engine for structural rigidity. Through the rearview mirror, the driver sees a narrow, short piece of road and the top of the engine. And the body section aft of the windows almost blocks the view over the right shoulder for safe lane changes.



It took only a few minutes to become proficient at the clutch and six-speed shifter during an all-too-brief drive last week in a GT being shuttled around for reporters to sample.



The GT's seats, though are a disappointment; even for this kind of money, they have few adjustments - fore and aft and backrest angle. No height adjustment, no thigh support adjustment, no lumbar support adjustment. If the reason was the save weight, then why include power windows, mirrors and locks? At least the steering wheel is height-adjustable and telescopes.



The hard leather seats are ventilated for drivers lucky enough to be able to explore this car's limits and who are likely to work up quite a sweat doing so. Whether it was for aesthetics or to help passengers avoid undignified noggin bashing, the doors extend well into the roof.



The trunk is up front - big enough for a couple of weekend bags. Weekend? Sure, this car is comfortable enough and quiet enough for a long weekend trip.



Quiet, that is, until the engine is revved toward its 6,500 rpm redline, at which point the stereo and any conversation are drowned out by the roar from the huge dual exhaust pipes. But, with the transmission in sixth gear at U.S. highway speeds, this engine is barely above idle.



There is no spare tire, but the car does come with a repair and inflation kit.



Toggle switches similar to those in the original Ford GT control lights, windshield wipers and the rear defroster. Gauges include a large tachometer directly in front of the driver, with the speedometer off the right. The GT has front air bags but no side or curtain-type units. A Ford spokesman could not explain why.



Considering competitors' prices, the GT isn't all that expensive. Ferraris start at about $150,000, but the closest in horsepower to the Ford is the 540 hp. $248,000 612 Scaglietti, although that's a two-plus- two. The Porsche that comes closest in both horsepower and price to the Ford, the 477 hp. 911 GT2, costs about $192,000.



More than horsepower goes into making a sports car a great sports car, though.



For the record, Car and Driver in its January issue deemed the Ford GT superior overall in track testing to a $193,000 425 hp. Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale and a 380 hp. $100,000 Porsche 911 GT3.



Expensive sports cars are Ferrari's and Porsche's bread and butter, of course, but for Ford, the GT is pure public relations. Its history begins with Henry Ford II. He decided in 1962 that Ford should get back into racing after a five-year hiatus. In so doing, it would take on the European automakers that then dominated road racing. Henry II first tried to buy Ferrari but was rebuffed by Enzo Ferrari. So, Ford had to start from scratch.



Thus was born the original GT. It was strictly for racing, and it was a smashing success: GTs placed first, second and third in their first race, the 1966 24 hours of LeMans, where speeds in excess of 200 mph are common. And the GTs won that race the next three years.



Although its styling evokes the original's shape, the new GT is 18 inches longer and 4 inches taller.



The first delivery of a GT to a private owner was in August. The buyer, a retired Microsoft executive, had paid $557,500 at an auction last year, with the profits going to charity. TV host Jay Leno got the second one, Ford says.



Those of you interested in joining them as GT owners will have to hurry; Ford says the first year's production is almost completely spoken for.



2005 Ford GT

Engine: 5.4-liter V-8,

supercharged, 550 hp.

Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.

Safety: Dual air bags; 4-wheel, four-piston Brembo brakes with antilock and electronic brake force distribution; fog lamps.

Place of assembly: Wixom, Mich.

Weight: 3,485 pounds

Trunk: 1.6 cu. ft.

EPA fuel economy rating:

13 mpg city, 21 highway.

Price as driven: $155,845,

including destination charge.

Email: tom.incantalupo@newsday.com
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.
























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