DRIVING INNOVATION THROUGH PERFORMANCE: Our friends at Ford talk about the new GT and the rest of their Performance lineup
June 30, 2015
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Courtesy of Ford Motor Company
The Ford Performance lineup.
After announcing the new Ford Performance division at the end of 2014, Ford Motor Company dropped a bombshell at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show in January 2015 with the surprise reveal of the all-new Ford GT. Capping off an already impressive showing with the new Shelby GT350R Mustang and Raptor, the Ford GT stole the show for Ford.
The new Ford Performance organization unifies Ford SVT, Team RS and Ford Racing globally. The new group not only creates new performance vehicles for Ford Motor Company, but also develops technologies and innovations that can be applied to Ford’s entire product portfolio. Aerodynamics, light-weighting, EcoBoost powertrain performance and driver-centric electronics are focal points of the team’s efforts. With engineering centers around the world and a new technical center in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Ford Performance team is Ford’s first truly global performance initiative.
The all-new 2016 Ford Focus RS stopped by iconic New York City landmarks when it arrived on U.S. soil for the 2015 New York International Auto Show.
The new performance models that owned the auto show in Detroit are just a small portion of the commitment the new Ford Performance division has pledged to bring to market. Under the leadership of director Dave Pericak, the division plans to produce more than 12 new models worldwide by 2020. In addition to the Shelby GT350R, Raptor and Ford GT, Ford introduced the new global and all-wheel-drive Focus RS at the Geneva Auto Show this year.
Starting in early 2016, the all-new Focus RS will be available to customers globally in major markets for the first time. This is a distinct part of Ford’s plan to quickly deliver even more performance vehicles, parts and accessories to customers around the world.
“Ford remains committed to innovation through performance,” said Dave Pericak, director of Ford Performance. “Our new global Ford Performance team ties together racing, performance vehicles and parts. It will allow us to more quickly introduce products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world, on the road and on the track.”
EcoBoost technology plays a heavy role in the Ford Performance models, powering everything from the Fiesta ST with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost all the way to the new Ford GT, which is powered by the next-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 producing more than 600 horsepower. Since its introduction in 2009, Ford has produced more than five million EcoBoost engines globally.
“EcoBoost is a strong example of how we are migrating technology and engineering across our lineup, ensuring our vehicles are fun to drive – not just our Ford Performance lineup,” said Pericak. “From our most nimble Fiesta to our hard-working full-size pickups and racing vehicles, our complete vehicle portfolio benefits from the innovations we deliver at the track and at the limit.” For instance, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine powers the IMSA TUDOR Daytona prototype car, which recently won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring races, as well as many Ford cars, trucks and utility vehicles.
The new Ford GT race car for WEC and LeMans competition was unveiled in early June at LeMans, France. The Ford GT race car will debut in 2016 and will be campaigned by Chip Ganassi Racing.
The big news on competition side of Ford Performance was the new Ford GT race car unveiled in June, and set to be unleashed in 2016 in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. The two Ford teams will be operated by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and both teams intend to compete at the world-famous 24 Hours of LeMans race in 2016, with a four-car effort in the LM GTE Pro class.
Ford Performance utilizes its racing operations as an important proving ground for cultivating passionate engineers – allowing them to innovate in top-level competition as they face challenges that require successful solutions in short time frames. Many innovations these engineers develop make their way into Ford Performance and eventually the entire Ford lineup. Just one example of innovative technology can be found in the new Shelby GT350R Mustang, which features the first standard carbon-fiber wheels from a major auto manufacturer.
The Ford Performance team develops some of the most engaging vehicles on the road. In addition, this new group fully understands the collectability of the models over which they obsess in labs, in offices and, of course, on the track. The strong relationship Ford Motor Company has with Barrett-Jackson as a top-tier sponsor means many first retail versions of these hot new models will continue to be seen crossing the auction block at Barrett-Jackson events, sometimes even before arriving at dealerships.
See what new models Ford has on display August 6-8, 2015, at the Hot August Nights Auction presented by Barrett-Jackson in Reno Tahoe.