This is the 2018 ford mustang gt premium equipped with the 10 speed automatic transmission. Test car drivers typically work for major auto manufacturers, drive at high speeds for several hours a day, and traverse obstacle courses that require expert driving ability and quick reflexes. Testing out the superformance ford gt40, which was featured in ford v. Unmistakably still a mustang, fords hugely successful pony car has been given a round of updates for the 2018 model year, which sees more power from the big v8 engine, a new automatic. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the institute based on a test conducted by ford as part of frontal crash test verification. We take the ford gt to the le mans circuit in france, plus log full test numbers. With the exception of the bastardized pinto that became the mustang ii, ford s pony car hasnt strayed from the original blend of herbs and spices that made it a hit in 1965. A thinly disguised racecar in streetcar camouflage, the gt features bespoke engineering from tip to tail.
Dec 17, 2017 today we take a look at the brand new 2018 ford mustang gt premium. As youd hope, it does an excellent job of reminding the driver what the road is doing and how the car. They considered including the 238 hp rx8, 240 hp accord v. The ford gt isnt just a sports car that races at le mans. Read the latest updates in our longterm road test of the 2015 ford mustang gt as our editors live with this car for a year. Ferrari seems to abruptly show ken miles deadly car crash.
Car and driver gt350 long term test wrap up after 40k. Horsepower is nothing if the rest of the car makes. After the death of walt hansgen in a jcar ford while testing at le mans in april. For 2019, ford makes active exhaust standard equipment, and bundles a new 1,000watt audio system with some. Defied my expectations of how i thought fords pony car could handle. As a direct result of miles death, the car was renamed the ford mk iv and outfitted with a steel rollover cage. Heres what we thought of the fords updated mustang gt during our first drive. Nov, 2017 the 2018 ford mustang continues to offer a v8, rearwheel drive, two doors, and a manual transmission.
The 2006 ford mustang lineup probably seems more complicated than it really is. Miles died in a testing accident in the jcar later to become the mk iv at riverside ca raceway just two months later. You dont need a masters degree to become a test car driver, but it helps if you have a love for cars and excellent mechanical knowhow. The most powerful ford ever is as happy on a twisty track as it is on a drag strip, fox news. And thats because the ford gt is all about packaging and aerodynamics and driving behaviour its a chassis car, not an engine car. While the french do a healthy business in shrugs and even, when equipped, mustache twirls, they are for the most part an undemonstrative people. Its entire reason for existence is to win le mans, and it was built.
Our resident pro driver, randy pobst, had reported issues with the damping and. The 2020 ford mustang shelby gt500 is no onetrick pony. Kenneth henry miles 1 november 1918 17 august 1966 was a british sports car racing. With terrific traction, 500 horsepower, and a weight anticipated at less than 3400 pounds, we expect 0to60 times of about 3. Driving the shelby gt500, the most powerful car ford has ever. The lack of the brake vectoring youd find in a mclaren 720s or porsche 911 turbo put the onus on the driver to properly place the. Car and driver gt350 long term test wrap up after 40k miles. They mostly send it to rental car fleets, and sell it to buyers who care more about mustang coolness than. He was tasked by henry ford ii to build a car to defeat ferrari at the. This one is my favourite drivers car of the big three, because it feels the most lively at the tips of your fingers and toes. This generation of ford gt was built in model years 2005 and 2006.
Nov 15, 2019 superformance gt40 and cobra movie car test drive from ford v ferrari. In le mans that year, miles led in a ford gt40 mkii at the end of the race, with. Ford motor company had been working to develop and perfect a 7liter 427 cubic inch engine. Oct 29, 2019 the 760horsepower shelby gt500 is the most powerful factoryproduced car ford has ever made. Interestingly, the first seven produced had a vin number beginning with ford gt, while the cars after those had a vin beginning with ford gt40. The gulf livery car i drove for this story was powered by a ford 427 v8 with fuel injection and a ceramic coated bundle of snakes exhaust system good for. Car and driver tested the gt in january 2004 and recorded a 060 mph 97 kmh acceleration time of 3. But the ford gt may just have the most linear steering of any car ive tested, feedback is excellent, its well weighted, but, most of all, a specific amount of steering input has a. At the test track, the automatics advantage was clear as it better harnessed the 460 horses and 420 lbft of fords latest and melodious 5.
The pretty highs and hot lows of driving a replica vintage race car. Ken miles, the driver behind fords victory over ferrari. We finally got to drive fords new gt supercar, and holy crap. Request a test drive for either a car or commercial vehicle here. Lunn and his team had worked an engineering marvel to fit the larger engine in the midengine car while retaining aerodynamic integrity. Oct 29, 2019 there were about 20 cars to test on the track and road at this event. Detroit news auto columnist henry payne traveled to utah motorposrts campus to test the 2017 ford gt supercar. One like our test car equipped with the new digital instrument cluster, power leather seats, the latest sync infotainment system, magneride dampers, and the gt. Still, even in death, ken miles was an unsung racing hero. Le mans engineer ken miles and his role in 1966 race victory daily. If youve spent the last year following our longterm test of the2015 ford mustang gt, you know.
Id quickly swap its boring black wheels for some sleek basketweave alloys. Weve just tested a 2020 ford mustang shelby gt500 on a test track, and it shot to 60 mph in 3. With terrific traction, 500 horsepower, and a weight. Apply to delivery driver, business development representative, fordlincoln veteran careers program and more. May 25, 2018 the mustang isnt fords bestselling car, but it will be soon. You can get a practically brand new mercedesbenz certified 2014 c63 with 15k miles for less than the price as tested mustang gt. Fiesta st, allnew fiesta st, focus rs, new mustang gt, mustang gt350r, ford gt road car and ford gt race car go headtohead in a staggered time trial around one lap of the 5. The svt v8 produces 390 horsepower at 6000 rpm, with 390 poundsfeet of torque at 3500 rpm. Jan 02, 2019 the gt with the automatic gets 162519 mpg and 18 mpg with the 6speed. Ken miles and phil remington flew from le mans to dearborn to test the car at the romeo test track. As for crashworthiness, especially important in a car like this, the nhtsa gives the mustang five stars overall, with five stars in every test.
Driving the shelby gt500, the most powerful car ford has. As youd hope, it does an excellent job of reminding the driver what the road is doing and how the car is responding to the road. Superformance gt40 and cobra movie car test drive from ford v ferrari. Jun 19, 2017 glenn drives one of his dream cars, the 2006 ford gt. We finally get the chance to take it for a test drive in southern california. From interstate cruising, to rush hour traffic, to carving up mountain roads like i am now, ive spent several hours behind the wheel of the ford gt, and i cant find a weak spot in its game anywhere. As the mustangs odometer rolled past 40,000 miles, though, our preferences had yet to coalesce, the choice between the two still very much dependent on which brand youvesoldyoursoulto,accordingto 2016 ford mustang gt premium. Dec 28, 2018 you dont need a masters degree to become a test car driver, but it helps if you have a love for cars and excellent mechanical knowhow. The great mix of style and performance, a mustang staple more embellished than ever. The camaro comes with antilock brakes, the mustang offers it as an option out test car had abs. I got a chance to drive a 2014 ford mustang gt, before the new model erases our memory of the highly influential and successful ninth generation 2005 2014. Pumping out 647 horsepower and 550 lbft of torque, the v6 is mated to a sevenspeed dualclutch automatic transmission. Dec 22, 2005 it created the pony car genre, and after 40plus years of competition with the barracuda, camaro, firebird and others, its the only one left. Superformance gt40 and cobra movie car test drive from.
Mar 29, 2010 2011 ford mustang gt test drive in the face of increased competition, ford revitalizes the original pony car with two allnew engines. New ford mustang could offer v8 hybrid power and allwheel drive. He played a key role in the development and success of the racing versions of the shelby cobra 289 in scca, usrrc and fia sports car racing between 1962 and 1965 as well as the daytona coupe and 427 versions of the cobra and the ford gt gt40. Jan 21, 2018 we take the ford gt to the le mans circuit in france, plus log full test numbers. Glenn drives one of his dream cars, the 2006 ford gt. The 2018 ford mustang continues to offer a v8, rearwheel drive, two doors, and a manual transmission. In a new video from ford performance, filmed at the motorland race circuit near barcelona, spain, the ford f150 raptor. May 12, 2017 what you learn after driving the ford gt. Finally, after 10 years ford managed to get the mustang gt 5.
We, and a few hundred thousands others, are glad its still here. Plus, you wont have to worry about the car depreciating as fast as the mustang. The gulf livery car i drove for this story was powered by a ford 427 v8 with fuel injection and a ceramic coated. Unlike the supercharged v8 in the previousgeneration gt, the new car is equipped with a twinturbocharged 3. Ford motor company limited uses cookies and similar technologies on this website to improve your online experience and to show tailored advertising. The basics youre probably familiar with, but lets go for a brief recap because theres a reason the controversial v6 is the right engine for this car. That undercuts the ferrari 360 modena, a wonderful car that the gt should be able to leave in its dust. Pumping out 660 horsepower and 550 lbft of torque, the v6 is mated to a seven speed dualclutch automatic transmission. Apr 20, 2011 when racing, a smaller steering wheel is fitted, but for todays test the widediameter, periodtype lies before the driver, with its ford gt boss reminding the driver that he is at the controls of what was then motor racings equivalent to a saturn v. The mustang shelby cobra made today is what many stang fans lust for. The ford mustang was redesigned for the 2015 model year.
The lack of the brake vectoring youd find in a mclaren 720s or porsche 911 turbo put the onus on the driver to. The ford gt40 is a highperformance endurance racing car. Climb inside our screaming yellow test car, and what you. There were about 20 cars to test on the track and road at this event. Car and driver brings the worlds largest car magazine to youtube. The new ford gt is technically wonderful, brilliant to drive, and to be admired. Ken miles was a race car driver hired by shelby as a test driver. Early issues with the car were apparent as the ford motor. Cobra comes shod with p27540r17 tires and loaded with special interior and exterior trim. Fast cool cars z28 vs gt, car and driver comparison test. Heres what we thought of the ford s updated mustang gt during our first drive. Find out how you can get behind the wheel of a ford vehicle for a test drive today. This happens on first clutch depression when the car has been shut off regardless if the car is in accessory mode or not.
The ford gt is built for the track, ready for the street and very nice garage. Mar 11, 2020 defied my expectations of how i thought ford s pony car could handle. Comparison car and driver test, december 1993 pony wars. Superformance gt40 and cobra movie car test drive from ford v. Jan, 2014 i got a chance to drive a 2014 ford mustang gt, before the new model erases our memory of the highly influential and successful ninth generation 2005 2014. He became the chief test driver of shelbyamerican in 1963. When driver mario andretti crashed the car at le mans 1967, the cage is believed to have saved his life. Caranddriver 2018 ford mustang gt manual test reddit. Its a nice compromise for someone who uses their mustang as. Bruce mclaren driving the ford gt40 during the 1966 le mans race.
The ford gt is a midengine twoseater sports car manufactured and marketed by american automobile manufacturer ford for the 2005 model year in conjunction with the companys 2003 centenary. The second generation ford gt became available for the 2017 model year. Pumping out 660 horsepower and 550 lbft of torque, the v6 is mated to a sevenspeed dualclutch automatic transmission. The 760horsepower shelby gt500 is the most powerful factoryproduced car ford has ever made. Ken miles, the driver behind fords victory over ferrari at. The 2017 ford gt may have faults, but you need to be an f1 driver to figure them out. New zealander bruce mclaren was the initial test track driver as the car was put through its paces.
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