Ford GT – 2016 New Supercar

April 30, 2015 by

The new Ford GT supercar for 2016 has been slated as the Lambo-Aventador Killer by some (based on price mainly) …but “Carbon-fiber Monster” is considered more apt by others because of its 3.5 liter engine that spits over 600 horsepower from the rear exhaust pipes.  This neo revival was last seen in production some 10 years ago…and staunch Ford GT fans are clamoring.

This is the ultimate Ford, a new halo…The ultimate embodiment of all our innovation – everything from the wheels, aerodynamics, engine. All this new technology is important for future Fords.  The GT is the flagship for this innovation, and that’s why we’re building it.  ~~ Raj Nair – Ford CTO

Only 250 units will be produced…built in Canada by Multimatic Motorsports…Ford’s long time racing partner of 30 years.  Power comes from a mid-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine that develops more than 600bhp and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The car’s body – predominantly carbonfibre, with aluminum structures at either end to house the engine and suspension – is expected to result in a light kerb weight. Indeed, Ford says the GT will have one of the best power-to-weight ratios “of any production car”.

Read More

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,

Ford F-150 Goes Aluminum for 2015

January 31, 2014 by

Ford pioneered the use of aluminum bodies while it owned Jaguar, before selling it to Tata Motors in 2008.   CEO Alan Mulally announced this month that lightweight aluminum has become “the material of choice” at Ford Motor Co. and eventually, the company will use it across its entire model lineup.  Some aluminum industry advocates are saying that Ford’s new F-150 pickup, the first high-volume vehicle to be built with an all-aluminum body, is becoming the best news for a troubled metals industry since beer cans were converted from steel in the 1970’s.  But some opponents are saying that “Superman Wasn’t Called the Man of Aluminum” …for a reason.

With 763,402 units sold in 2013…a huge number for just about any product in any industry…the reality is…that’s the number of F-150s that Ford sold in 2013 alone….and it’s actually 40 percent of the US truck market, capping off the 37th consecutive year as America’s best-selling truck.  It’s also the 32nd year of holding the distinction as best-selling car of any kind in the US.

Like the 2015 Ford Mustang, the 2015 Ford F-150 has been redesigned to save weight…about 500-700 pounds worth. In fact, the F-150’s body is made almost entirely of aluminum. (Only a few, tiny panels are made of anything else.) Coupled with a new high tensile-strength steel frame, the massive weight savings accounts for over a 12 percent drop in weight compared to the 2014 F-150.

Aluminum bodies are hardly a new phenomenon, it’s the notion of placing them on a work horse type of vehicle like a pick up truck seems counter intuitive at best. Though the rust-free nature of aluminum is an obvious advantage, it’s the durability factor of aluminum that’s lower than steel…and more highly suspect.

Read More: 2015 Ford F-150: The world’s best-selling truck goes aluminum to be lighter, faster, and stronger

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , ,