Ford Launches GT Supercar 2016 and Two Others
Ford on Monday unveiled a 600 horsepower GT 2016, which is set to race in prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
According to CNET, new GT revealed at the Detroit Auto Show features a 3.5 liter V6 twin-turbo Eco Boost V-6 engine that the company claims can deliver over 600 horsepower. The last GT that was launched in 2005 featured a 550 horsepower V-8 engine. The company hopes to relive the legacy of the GT40 which marked consecutive wins at 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s. Ford's launch of the car next year is meant mark 50th anniversary of the company's win at the racing event.
Bloomberg Businessweek reported that the car's body is mostly made of carbon fiber. The car was showcased by executive chairman Bill Ford and chief executive officer Mark Fields who took over as CEO last year. The new car is said to deliver both power and fuel efficiency though its executive chairman said it is not a car to buy for fuel economy. The 2005 GT delivered just about 12 miles per gallon when driven in the city.
Besides the GT, Ford also unveiled two other cars. The F-150 raptor and the Shelby GT350R Mustang were showcased. Ford has promised to deliver another 12 performance vehicles by the end of this decade.
With the economy looking up, automakers are hoping to improve sales. USA Today reported that Ford wants to take advantage of the 70 percent increase in US's performance vehicle sales and 14 percent increase in that of Europe.
