2020 Ford GT

Ford adds more power and new livery options to its ultra-exclusive hyper car...

2020 Ford GT

Since it was introduced as a 2017 model, Ford’s truly exotic GT has become one of the most desirable supercars on the market. Essentially, a track-focused machine that’s road legal, the current GT, designed and engineered by Dearborn’s finest and assembled by well-known Canadian racing specialist Multimatic, pays homage to the original Le Mans winning GT40 of the Sixties, while incorporating the very latest in racing car technology.

For 2020, the Blue Oval has upped the ante, adding more power to its 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, improved cooling, standard titanium exhaust system, plus a new Liquid Carbon model and an upgraded Gulf Racing heritage livery option.

Upgraded engine

The mid-mounted EcoBoost V6 is now rated at 660bhp and 550ft-lb of torque. The power improvements come courtesy of upgraded, galley-cooled pistons, as well as higher capacity ignition coils, plus engineers have also played with the engine’s electronic calibrations, resulting in a fatter and arguably more usable torque spread.

There’s also a standard Akrapovič titanium exhaust system, which saves 9lb in weight and provides a deeper and throatier resonance. Mid-engine cars often suffer from engine cooling issues due to packaging restrictions and on the 2020 GT, Ford engineers have improved cooling performance, thanks to new buttress air ducts.

There are also larger intercoolers to lower the air intake charge and maintain peak engine performance for longer periods − especially important during the rigours of track driving. There’s also been tweaks to the suspension with improved damping in track mode, designed to enable even better handling, especially during high-speed transition stages on racing circuits.

Carbon spectacular

The new Liquid Carbon edition is designed to showcase the GT’s exotic construction and features a carbon fibre body that is simply clearcoated, fully exposing each individual GT’s unique carbon fibre weave skin. Naturally, the Liquid Carbon edition features standard carbon fibre wheels, while those lucky enough to get their hands on one can also choose items such as titanium lug nuts, five different colours of brake calipers as well as five different interior options, and six-point racing harnesses, as well as the option of single or twin racing stripes if you want them. As is often the case, the truly exotic things in life don’t come cheap, and the Liquid Carbon edition carries a $250,000 premium over the standard $500,000 GT.

Heritage changes

Another noticeable change on the 2020 GT is a revised version of the Gulf Oil heritage appearance package which features a slightly updated finish, including a black pinstripe for the orange racing stripes, while the carbon fibre racing number is changed from 9 on the 2019 model to 6 for 2020, paying homage to the historic (and back-to-back 1968-1969 Le Mans winning) GT40 Mk I, chassis #1075. Additionally, for the first time, the Gulf Oil livery can be combined with carbon fibre wheels.

Since Ford announced the new GT at the 2015 North American International AutoShow, it has continued to draw fans via its combination of advanced composite race car design, powerful V6 engine and a true back-to-basics approach to driving. Inside, the cockpit is refreshingly minimalistic, with the only odes to modern distractions being a 6.5-inch touchscreen and Ford Sync3 voice command software. Even the seat position is fixed, with pedals and steering wheel being adjustable to suit the driver.

Even quicker

The EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 is coupled exclusively with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, designed to provide fast, ultra-crisp shifts. With the engine improvements added to the 2020 model, 0-60mph times are expected to take less than three seconds under optimal conditions, with the standing quartermile taking somewhere in the low to mid 10-second range (official data was not available at the time we went to press).

Although conceived primarily as a racing car, Multimatic’s considerable experience with damping and chassis tuning means the current GT delivers stellar handling without resulting in an ultra-stiff ride by exotic or sports car standards. That being said, its racing heritage means that you’ll still feel shocks and vibrations from inside the cockpit and the GT is happiest on the racetrack.

Although Ford originally planned to build just 500 examples of the current GT, a dint of orders later saw this total increased to 1350 units. Multimatic continues to assemble the cars at the rate of four per week, and Ford says production of the GT is expected to continue through 2022.

When that production run does come to an end, there’s no question that the current GT will become one of the most sought-after collectable cars on the planet, taking its rightful place alongside not only its V8-powered 2004-06 predecessor, but arguably the original Le Mans winning GT40 which has become one of the most celebrated sports/racing cars of all time.

“ITS RACING HERITAGE MEANS THAT YOU’LL STILL FEEL SHOCKS AND VIBRATIONS FROM INSIDE THE COCKPIT AND THE GT IS HAPPIEST ON THE RACETRACK.”