A Ford supercar

[Road_Warrior]

So amongst all this you-beaut One Ford homogenised standardised pasturised world of global corporate cars, I got to thinking: would Ford build a supercar?

They've done it before, first with the GT90 concept, an utterly amazing vehicle for its time:



And of course much later, the Ford GT:



Now that they almost have their house in order, could they develop another top-of-the-tree halo car to take on the Euros at their own game? Especially with the powertrain and vehicle systems tech Ford now has at its disposal.

Discuss.

[FalconXV]

With supercars evolving into hybrids like LaFerrari, Porsche 918, BMW i8, new NSX etc, maybe a plug-in hybrid supercar would be a nice bellweather for the company.

A 1.0 Ecoboost would be a good range-extender. There should be input from every major engineering centre in the Ford world- which is a concept I think would be great for a Phaeton-esque luxury flagship.
The GT90 is one of the most dramatic Ford designs ever, and I'd like if they head in this direction for a supercr. I do think, however, Ford needs to wait until their next design language before making one- the current Aston look would make it look...like an Aston.

[Gaz]

The GT-90 was definitely out there.

It apparently drove like a piece of crap but some of the idea's and things they implemented on it were pretty awesome for the day.

I'd like to see them do something more along the lines of GT-90 again, over the standard GT. Make it sleak, mean and have some outside the box technologies but make it a limited run production car.

Something like the veryron (but lets face it, I doubt we will see something that over the top again). Where it's not a money maker but a 'holy crap look at that'

[Bossxr8]

There were rumours Ford were working on another Ford GT, so we may see another one.

[Wretched]

I'd like them to make a new flagship super car/halo car.
Though I'd like to see a clean sheet, no retro design and utilise a hybrid technology similar to that of the 918 Spyder.

[Nikked]

...hmmm....


Those Mad Max concepts...

[FPV GTHO]

I don't think they'd do it just because they could. Even the GT was done because of the centenary celebrations.

They probably won't do it until Lincoln is sorted, unless its actually a Lincoln supercar.

[351ciofgrunt]

There was also the Ford Indigo, concept car

[SSD-85]

Someone had to do it....

[blackf6]

Already been done bud. BF GT

[Kayos]

How can anyone not love the Ford GT, they should bring it out at 100k RHD... ok I'll wake up!

[chevypower]

I would love to see another GT with the same styling, but on a new chassis with a new engine. An 8.0L V12 EcoBoost could put it up there with the Veyron. (5.3 Coyote with 4 extra cylinders).

[Moby Vic]

Ford doesn't have the cash for a supercar at the moment. But the current GT500 has the most powerful production V8 from any manufacturer ever.

The only thing that would make sense for that kind of investment at the moment is a knockout concept Lincoln slated for production. Mulally wants to save Lincoln before he retires. The MKZ isn't going to do it. Ford needs to go big or go home with Lincoln.

The formula would be simple: large rear-wheel-drive sedan (and convertible) with immaculate workmanship and massive, smooth power (preferably from a V12). Production could be limited to 1921 units a year (the first Lincolns were 1921 models). Lincoln's prestige would be restored in a heartbeat.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Ford doesn't have the cash for a supercar at the moment. But the current GT500 has the most powerful production V8 from any manufacturer ever.

The only thing that would make sense for that kind of investment at the moment is a knockout concept Lincoln slated for production. Mulally wants to save Lincoln before he retires. The MKZ isn't going to do it. Ford needs to go big or go home with Lincoln.

The formula would be simple: large rear-wheel-drive sedan (and convertible) with immaculate workmanship and massive, smooth power (preferably from a V12). Production could be limited to 1921 units a year (the first Lincolns were 1921 models). Lincoln's prestige would be restored in a heartbeat.

If any car company could afford it at the moment it would be Ford.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Ford doesn't have the cash for a supercar at the moment. But the current GT500 has the most powerful production V8 from any manufacturer ever.

The only thing that would make sense for that kind of investment at the moment is a knockout concept Lincoln slated for production. Mulally wants to save Lincoln before he retires. The MKZ isn't going to do it. Ford needs to go big or go home with Lincoln.

The formula would be simple: large rear-wheel-drive sedan (and convertible) with immaculate workmanship and massive, smooth power (preferably from a V12). Production could be limited to 1921 units a year (the first Lincolns were 1921 models). Lincoln's prestige would be restored in a heartbeat.

Ford are raking in around $2 billion dollars a quarter, they have plenty of cash, don't worry about that.

[Moby Vic]

They're just one major recall fiasco away from desperation again.

In the US they're facing a class action lawsuit because people don't like MyFord Touch.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

They're just one major recall fiasco away from desperation again.

In the US they're facing a class action lawsuit because people don't like MyFord Touch.

Is there anything technically *wrong* with MyFord Touch? Or do they just not like it? If they just don't like it, no one forced them to buy the car.

[happy1]

[QUOTE=Ford needs to wait until their next design language before making one- the current Aston look would make it look...like an Aston.[/QUOTE]

I wasn't fully aware of this either, but it looks like Ford since 2007 only owns 10% of Aston Martin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin

I'm thinking the purpose of a 'super car' would be as a show-case for some of the technologies of the manufacturer, or to improve overall 'image' of the brand. Look at Audi R8 as an example.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_(road_car)
The R8 is practically hand-built, and the factory builds only 8 to 15 cars per day. The R8 shares platform with Lambo Gallardo, but there are probably very few parts that are the same.

I doubt there would be any money to be made for someone like Ford to design something like an R8 competitor. It would have to be more 'wow' factor than a new Mustang, and it would have to be more affordable than the GT40. Ford already sold most of Aston Martin. This indicates to me that Ford
is a little bit interested in super cars, but not enough to make one from scratch themselves.
Also one problem would be depreciation. No one would like to pay $ 250.000 for Ford supercar if the value after 1 year, 2 year follows the same curve as a Falcon or Mondeo. Not sure how for example a Mustang keeps its value.

Anyway, this was just some thoughts from my end. Don't think we will see a Ford supercar at this point in time. It is also kind of politically incorrect to make a Ecoboost V12, even if it would have been cool.
Cheers,

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

Is there anything technically *wrong* with MyFord Touch? Or do they just not like it? If they just don't like it, no one forced them to buy the car.

It depends on who you ask: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100896791

But obviously lawyers think they can make some money off it.

The basic technology of the underlying Ford Sync infotainment platform has actually won raves over the last few years—and has led other makers to add similar systems. But Ford's biggest issue appears to have been its decision to migrate from conventional knobs, switches and buttons to screen-based controls.

The results of the IQS found that such an approach—by Ford and other makers—has created frustration by consumers because it can be much more difficult to handle simple tasks like changing a radio station, adjusting the climate control or programming a navigation system. Complicating matters, Ford's technology has been accused of being slow and sometimes freezing up entirely, requiring repeated reboots.

Ford has announced the return of a knob, on the Focus, I think.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Ford has announced the return of a knob, on the Focus, I think.

From the sounds of it, there is already knobs controlling the My Ford Touch/Sync...

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by happy1

I wasn't fully aware of this either, but it looks like Ford since 2007 only owns 10% of Aston Martin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin

I'm thinking the purpose of a 'super car' would be as a show-case for some of the technologies of the manufacturer, or to improve overall 'image' of the brand. Look at Audi R8 as an example.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_(road_car)
The R8 is practically hand-built, and the factory builds only 8 to 15 cars per day. The R8 shares platform with Lambo Gallardo, but there are probably very few parts that are the same.

I doubt there would be any money to be made for someone like Ford to design something like an R8 competitor. It would have to be more 'wow' factor than a new Mustang, and it would have to be more affordable than the GT40. Ford already sold most of Aston Martin. This indicates to me that Ford
is a little bit interested in super cars, but not enough to make one from scratch themselves.
Also one problem would be depreciation. No one would like to pay $ 250.000 for Ford supercar if the value after 1 year, 2 year follows the same curve as a Falcon or Mondeo. Not sure how for example a Mustang keeps its value.

Anyway, this was just some thoughts from my end. Don't think we will see a Ford supercar at this point in time. It is also kind of politically incorrect to make a Ecoboost V12, even if it would have been cool.
Cheers,

Depreciation isn't an issue, Ford GT's still sell for a lot of money.

It wouldn't need to be from scratch either, they could just modernise the GT platform.

Ford never made money on the GT, but they didn't lose any either, it paid for itself, and the image boost for the company was worth the spend alone.

[Chopped]

Galpin Ford GTR1 (1200hp)





http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/16/g...monterey-2013/

[Fireblade]

Originally Posted by Chopped

Galpin Ford GTR1 (1200hp)

image

image

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/16/g...monterey-2013/

mmm... Horrible recreation of the GT by Galpin, but judging by what they did in Pimp my ride I'm not surprised really. The biggest thing that stands out is its 1200hp but thats nothing new in company made specials like Hennesey, Lingenfelter etc etc

[Road_Warrior]

So do we think a new Ford supercar should be mid engined or front engined?

RWD or AWD?

V8, V10 or V12?

Should hybrid/electric come into the equation at all to acknowledge cutting edge tech, or should it remain true to being a supercar and be a balls-out piston engine experience?

[Fireblade]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

So do we think a new Ford supercar should be mid engined or front engined?

RWD or AWD?

V8, V10 or V12?

Should hybrid/electric come into the equation at all to acknowledge cutting edge tech, or should it remain true to being a supercar and be a balls-out piston engine experience?

Hybrid with KERS like the F1 giving an extra performance boost. But with boost (Turbo) technology giving power and economy these days most will probably go that way first before looking at changing over to electric/hybrid.

I'd like to see the V10 designed and built by Ford Racing for the Shelby Cobra concept make an appearance in a production supercar by Ford.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

So do we think a new Ford supercar should be mid engined or front engined?

RWD or AWD?

V8, V10 or V12?

Should hybrid/electric come into the equation at all to acknowledge cutting edge tech, or should it remain true to being a supercar and be a balls-out piston engine experience?

Not that it would ever happen but I would like to see either a small capacity V12 (for refinement) or a small capacity V8 combined with a Hybrid system.
Petrol driving the rear wheels and two electric motors at the front wheels with a "BOOST" button for a KERS style short term increase in power.

[chevypower]

How about a V10 EcoBoost with hydraulic-hybrid assistance?

[FPV GTHO]

I think the easiest thing for them to do would be take an S550 Mustang, stretch the wheelbase for stability, and give it the Ecoboost V8 and badge it as a Lincoln Grand Tourer.

[Bossxr8]

Ecoboost Coyote twin turbo, rear-engine RWD. True to the GT40 roots.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Chopped

Galpin Ford GTR1 (1200hp)

image

image

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/16/g...monterey-2013/

Looks like a cross between a Gt and GR-1 concept...I like.