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May Hot Car – 2017 Ford GT
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Ford gave this new car everything they had. After creating multiple concept cars and renderings, this new GT has been in the works for quite a while. Since the mid 2000s, Ford knew they had a tall order to fill in redesigning their extremely popular GT series. How do you follow up on an icon, that also had to follow an icon before its time? Go back to the drawing board, redefine what is possible, and what Super Car means, and that is exactly what Ford has done.
Looking at the build sheet, Ford has included all of the right numbers. For starters, the car packs a Ford “Eco-Boost” V6 engine, wait what? A V6 engine, in a super car, what is this madness, and why does it say eco?! Yes folks, that is right, Ford has opted to stray from the beaten path on this model. Their engine choice means the loss of two cylinders from previous years, but the gains are so much higher. Once you lose the mindset that V6 engines mean low power — slow cars like the Toyota Camry model — you open up to a world of possibilities. Nissan GTR fans this is your place to chime in! Once Nissan showed that you could have insanely fast cars with their Twin Turbo V6 engines and still maintain easy drivability, reliability, and MPG, as well as win races, Ford knew that it could enter this new forward thinking engine game as well.
After a questionable sales year with the eco-boost Mustang, Ford announced that the GT would have the Eco-Boost V6, and it was received only so-so by those viewing the car at the various auto shows. All of this changed, however, when the car was first driven, and once its true inner beast was revealed. Confident that the 600 horsepower available was more than enough to get the job done, Ford decided to get back to its roots and go racing. Entering the car in multiple races this year, Ford has already proven with multiple wins that the car is more than fast enough for anyone that wants speed.
Ford has an all new car, and an all new way to get it to consumers. Since 500 will be produced, and 500 great owners should be selected, hopefully this means we will see it soon. Estimated delivery dates are supposed to be late 2017.
More about Matt
Matt Wetzel is a twenty-year-old automotive photographer based in Buffalo, NY.
To see more of his work visit www.facebook.com/mattwetzelphotography