LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: This 2019 Ford GT Proves that Less can Sometimes be More

Prepared by impartial automotive journalist Steve Statham

The 2017-22 Ford GT was created with a singular function in head: to go fast. Scratch that. It really experienced a dual purpose — to go fast and glimpse good although executing so. The point that it gained races and recognized by itself as Ford’s halo car or truck were being the direct success of that uncompromising company vision.

As a highway-going supercar, it was challenging to increase on the GT. Granted, the model is not acknowledged for plush accommodations, but in the functionality qualities that count, it was engineered ideal to the redline. The exterior was an aerodynamic tour de pressure, even though the carbon-fiber passenger shell and human body panels, as very well as the carbon-fiber Sparco seats, held its body weight in verify. An integrated tubular steel roll cage was an appropriate structural factor for these types of a monitor-oriented sporting activities car.

The GT’s mid-mounted 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 puts out 647 horsepower and 550 ft/lbs of torque. It is mated to a 7-pace Getrag dual clutch automated transmission. The combination was able of sub-11-second quarter-mile instances and a described prime speed of 216 mph. Aerodynamic aids this sort of as a velocity activated splitter and underbody aero shields, along with Ford’s AdvanceTrac with electronic stability management process, contributed to the shocking overall performance numbers. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes introduced the GT back again down to earth next any large-velocity operates.

The Shadow Black 2019 Ford GT showcased in this article, Chassis No. 42, made available with No Reserve at the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, January 21-29 at WestWorld, has all these developed-in abilities and far more. Or, in this circumstance, the much more is considerably less. Ford engineers on the GT software have been regularly motivated to shave a further fraction of a 2nd off acceleration occasions or uncover an added mph of prime speed. One way they completed this was by weighing almost everything critical and then having a scalpel to lower away every single past needless ounce. This GT is the beneficiary of that focused interest, in the form of an optional deal of light-weight equipment.

This solution did not have a fancy title on the Window Sticker, just Tools Team 600A, a $70,000 upgrade. Shown in this team had been titanium lug nuts, a titanium exhaust and a light-weight Alcantara steering wheel. Gloss exposed carbon-fiber 20-inch wheels, a polycarbonate rear hatch and a carbon graphics bundle with dual stripes ended up also bundled.

A standard 2019 GT weighed about a single perfectly-fed bulldog over 3,000 kilos. By the time that lightweight gear group was included, the bulldog had been banished back to the lawn and the GT was that significantly more quickly on its feet. By comparison, a 2005 Ford GT, no slouch in its own ideal with 550 horsepower, weighed about 3,350 lbs.

Ford released the lightweight gear bundle for the GT as the Carbon Sequence in a push release dated Oct 30, 2018. These lightweight GTs were stated by Ford to be close to 40 pounds lighter than a standard GT, and the lightest possibility offered that was not an outright competitiveness product.

The carbon-fiber areas are obvious from the exterior, but the carbon-fiber concept extends into the interior as very well. This GT has carbon-fiber accents on the doorway sills, centre console and air register pods. The F1-encouraged steering wheel has a flat top rated and base, as properly as an integrated LED rev indicator. The paddle shifters guiding the steering wheel fall quickly to hand.

In addition to the light-weight devices, this GT has the optional purple brake calipers and the Ford GT indoor vehicle protect. It is also exceedingly light-weight on miles traveled, with 10 actual miles. It will come with the Window Sticker and factory develop photographs.

It is also early to phone this 2019 GT a museum piece, but Ford no extended would make these cars, and a 10-mile case in point is about as untouched as they come. Which is the element that transforms this light-weight GT into a heavyweight collectible. Register to bid for your chance to safe this GT for oneself at the 2023 Scottsdale Auction, January 21-29 at WestWorld.