Is this the most sought-after car in the world? Ford recently opened up the application process for its next generation GT, which will start shipping at the end of the year. With production limited to just 500 units, demand for the car has already outstripped supply, despite it carrying a price tag of over $550,000 CAD.
As a result, the screening process for potential owners will be stringent. Applicants are being treated as potential brand ambassadors for the automaker, with the company specifically seeking online ‘influencers’ who command a significant following through blogs and social media. Ford is even asking for a 60-second video from every candidate to convince them they would be a “good Ford GT owner.”
But is the GT worth all the hype? Read on to find out everything auto mechanic students need to know about the car everyone is talking about.
Race-Ready Design: A Look Inside the GT For Auto Mechanic College Students
Given that it takes its name from the classic GT40 racing cars of the 1960s, it’s no surprise that the GT’s engine will pack quite a bit of punch. The new generation model boasts an EcoBoost direct injection 3.5 liter V6, along with twin turbochargers. While there are no official numbers from Ford yet, experts are estimating it will probably have around 630hp.
Students in auto mechanic college will find the GT’s complex exhaust system equally interesting. The flying buttresses in front of the rear wheels direct air from beneath the car into the turbochargers, before exiting through unique vents in the car’s taillights. The main exhaust pipes are actually located on the rear bumper in the midsection of the vehicle, in order to maintain airflow over the top of the body.
The Aerodynamic Auto Mechanics Behind the GT’s Lightweight Body
The GT’s lightweight carbon fiber body has been constructed in what Ford calls an “aerodynamically optimal teardrop shape” in order to minimize drag, and every aspect of the design has been carefully considered to maximize performance.
The flying buttresses at the rear of the car serve to create increased downforce, while the rear spoiler can also rise vertically and tilt in order to capture extra downforce and drag when needed. Ford’s Global Performance Engineer Jamal Hameedi has said that his team is aiming to produce “the best power-to-weight ratio of any car on the market,” and has opted against including some components that would add to the weight of the car, such as electric motors and batteries.
How Auto Mechanic College Students Can Design Their Own GT
While students pursuing a car repair career might dream of owning a GT, they can still have a lot of fun customizing their very own model of the car with the online configurator on Ford’s website. Auto enthusiasts can choose from eight exterior colours, including optional racing stripes, as well five different wheel options, different coloured brake calipers, and four distinctive interior designs.
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