Skip to main content

Here’s Everything We Know About The 2017 Ford GT Supercar

More than two years after Ford revealed its next-generation GT supercar, the automaker has announced official performance specs.

Straight into the numbers we go. A 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 will be rated at 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque (90 percent of that torque is available from just 3,500 rpm). The GT will be paired exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and will apply all force to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.

The 2017 Ford GT won’t run out of breath until 217 mph, and though Ford is still being coy about its 0 to 60 mph time, the GT is certain to come in under 3.0 seconds. The finalized curb weight is 3,054 lbs, which is notably heavier than the 2,712-lb McLaren 675LT. Quick to address the difference in heft, Ford has declared its car is quicker around a circuit than both the McLaren and a Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Though the Ford GT uses a smaller, lower-displacement motor than many of its rivals, it returns an mpg of just 11 city, 18 highway, and 14 combined. That’s so lousy that the V10-motivated Dodge Viper scores better by EPA’s standards.

The Ford GT gets a fancy digital driver display

Ford GT’s Digital Cluster Featuring 5 Drive Modes | Ford GT | Ford Performance

Ford will indulge in the recent trend of digital driver displays with its halo GT model. Replacing a traditional analog gauge cluster will be a vibrant 10-inch screen that can be reconfigured based on five driving modes: Normal, Wet, Sport, Track, and V-Max. Each mode prioritizes different information based on driving conditions, and the driver toggles between them using controls on the steering wheel.

The display itself was designed in concert with Conjure, which handled graphical design, and Pektron, which was responsible for the design of the electronics. Ford says it even asked racing driver Scott Maxwell for some feedback. Maxwell works for Multimatic, the Canadian motor sports firm charged with actually building the GT on a special assembly line in Markham, Ontario.

Ford GT deliveries begin

Almost two years after it first dropped jaws at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the Ford GT is finally going into production. Ford had hoped to start delivering cars before the end of 2016, and it just barely made that deadline.

The first GT, painted black with orange racing stripes, was driven off the line by Ford Chief Technical Officer and performance czar Raj Nair in December. According to The Detroit News, that car will go to Ford chairman Bill Ford Jr., while the second GT will go to CEO Mark Fields. Being the boss has its perks, apparently.

Ford will add two more years of GT production

After closing the application process for Ford’s initial batch of 500 GT models, the automaker announced it will extend production another two years, meaning another 500 units are up for grabs (provided you have $400,000 in hand).

The third year of GT production will be set aside for buyers that were wait-listed during the first round of applications. Others can apply for the fourth year of production, but Ford won’t begin accepting applications until early 2018. The Ford GT will be founded on exclusivity, similar to Ferrari’s tactic with its most expensive/highest-performing models. Even with 1,000 total cars on the table, thousands of applicants will soon get a rejection email from Ford.

The 2017 Ford GT sold out for two years in 30 days

Ford announced it has 6,506 applications for the 500 Ford GT units it will produce in the first production run. The production cycle will last for two years with only 250 cars built each year.

The application process required filling out a questionnaire that asked about how the car was going to be used. Ford wants people who buy the GT to actually drive it, not resell for a quick profit. They also don’t want investors to just stash them away looking for huge gains years down the road.

The next step for the fast-acting 6,506 applicants is a further screening process based on how people answered the questionnaire. Ford has said they will let everyone on the list know within 90 days whether they made the cut.

For those lucky 500 who get confirmed orders, the first deliveries will be later this year. Firm prices haven’t been announced, but you can expect them to be north of $400,000. For that hefty pile of cash, the teardrop-shaped, carbon-fiber-bodied supercar will make 600-plus horsepower with its 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 engine. The only transmission is a 7-speed dual clutch automatic.

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Lamborghini sells its last fully gasoline-powered supercar
All fully gasoline-powered Lamborghinis have now been sold
2023 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica front end angle from passenger's side parked on the road with buildings in the back.

 

Earlier this year, Lamborghini said goodbye to its last V-12 gas-powered supercars. The writing was on the wall — Lamborghini is transitioning toward electric vehicles after 60 years of manufacturing some of the fastest gas-powered supercars in the world. With its gas-powered V12 engine supercars off the market, the Lamborghini Huracan and Urus models were still available for sale.

Read more
8 things you didn’t know about buying (and owning) a new Ferrari
Red Ferrari's lined up.

If you know anything about vehicles, you've probably noticed Ferrari's exceptional craftsmanship. They are often regarded as among the world's most spectacular and aesthetically beautiful cars. So, if you've got an overwhelming urge to buy one of these beautiful works of art, it's understandable, especially if you have a strong interest in luxury vehicles. It's also understandable that you'd want (or need) to know more before committing to such a costly investment. 

Known for their use of competitive car technology, primarily their early adoption of V12 engines, Ferrari balances both comfort and performance flawlessly. Although Ferraris are similar to Lamborghinis and other premium vehicles, they are easily distinguished by their prestige and elegance. This is predominantly so given their scarcity, as these vehicles are sought after by many car enthusiasts, with many Ferraris getting more expensive with age. See why we say a Ferrari is actually an investment? 

Read more
Audi Q7 Prestige: 5 things we love about it (and 3 things we hate)
High-tech, ultra-luxurious, and pleasant to drive — it's hard to find fault with the Q7
Front end angle of the 2022 Audi Q7 Prestige from the side in front of trees.

Enthusiasts, myself included, are quick to turn our noses up at three-row midsize SUVs. No other body style in the market encompasses everything that’s wrong with buyers and the automotive industry than three-row midsize SUVs. That’s the mentality I carried with me to a week with the 2022 Audi Q7 55 TFSI Prestige, and even I, an enthusiast who curses at every midsize SUV I pass on the road, still came away impressed with Audi’s family hauler.

What makes the Q7 so noteworthy is just how luxurious and plush it feels. Luxury brands really have thrown everything into their arsenal to ensure their vehicles are more upscale than ever, as mainstream brands like Mazda, Kia, and Jeep have all stepped things up immensely to where they feel like they’re on par with luxury vehicles from just a few years ago. With how much tech and luxury the Q7 is packing, it feels more like a budget-friendly version of the incredibly high-end Bentley Bentayga than a gussied-up Kia Telluride.

Read more