2018 Ford GT

The mid-engine 2018 Ford GT supercar, into its second year, carries over unchanged. The flagship sports coupe leads Ford's sporty lineup including the Mustang coupe and convertible, Taurus SHO sedan, Fusion Sport sedan, Focus ST and RS hatchbacks, Fiesta ST hatchback, and F-150 Raptor pickup.

This limited-production sports car included some special-edition versions since it first debuted, including the Competition Series. The Ford GT is powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and has a top speed of 216 mph. This sports car features a carbon fiber chassis, incredible active aero, and an all-new turbocharged V6. This is the return of the all-American supercar.

The 2018 Ford GT is available as a single trim coupe only. The MSRP of the standard GT is 453,750. Last year, Ford showcased two additional special trims—the ’66 Heritage Edition, and the Competition Series which adds titanium exhaust, carbon fiber wheels, plus exposed carbon fiber lower body panels.

The 2018 GT comes unchanged with a standard mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine and rear-wheel drive. The supercar comes with standard features such as Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, an adaptive suspension, and adjustable drive modes. Interior features carbon-fiber Sparco seats and a central touchscreen display with Ford's Sync 3 interface.

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The GT sports coupe is available in a single trim level and small options list. So, there is little available for customization, and for its exclusive pricing, it comes equipped with track-ready options. 

The Ford GT uses a mid-mounted twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, adapted from the F-150 Raptor. The GT's Ecoboost develops 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque and comes mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the rear wheels. The GT takes under 3 seconds to sprint from 0-60mph, and flat out you'll hit 216mph in V-MAX mode with the rear wing retracted for minimum drag.

It may be a six-cylinder engine in this domestic supercar but it offers plenty of power. More important is the GT's aerodynamic properties, as Ford has optimized every surface to reduce drag and/or increase downforce. For the noise, the GT wails gloriously at full tilt.

By comparison, Ford and Nissan offer six-cylinder engines in their flagship sports coupe, with the GT generating more power than the GT-R NISMO. However, the pricing of the Nissan GTR is almost one-fourth of the Ford GT.  The Lamborghini Aventador is the most powerful among the rivals, rated at 691 hp from its V12 engine. Even Aventador is cheaper than the Ford GT. The Lambo Aventador leads the pack at both 0-60mph and quarter-mile timings at 2.7 sec and 10.4 respectively. Even the Nissan GT-R Nismo manages to undercut the Ford GT’s 0-60 mph time by 0.2 seconds.

2018 GT Handling and Braking

The new Ford GT is a track-ready sports car with a functional form which is one of the best in its category. Step in, press a button, and the GT's ride height drops literally 2 inches to be race-worthy. For such a stance, cornering is a flat-out affair, with zero body roll. Handling this sports coupe is easy and fun. The steering is ideally weighted and is tuned for a full race spec. There's also the car's suite of active aero improvements, which include a large-sized rear wing that rises at high speed (above 70 mph) to provide more downforce. 

The grip is ideal both in front and rear. The rear uses a 325/30 profile Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s glued to the surface by a massive hydraulically actuated rear wing. The GT uses a lot of carbon fiber and aluminum suspension elements for lightweight construction but it isn't. With a dry weight of 3054 pounds and a curb weight of around 3200 pounds, the GT is a comparatively light race car.

It can go fast, it can corner, and thanks to carbon-ceramic brakes as standard, it stops too – exceptionally well. With less weight and low inertia, the GT takes under 98 feet of distance to stop from  60 mph. The GT-R Nismo stopping in 1 foot less than the GT at 97 ft and the Aventador needed  99 ft.

The Ford GT is EPA-rated 11 mpg in the city and an 18 mpg highway. Though for such a race car fuel economy is a matter of total indifference. However, on a race track, fuel consumption is important, as running out of gas in the middle of the lap could be game over.

Ford's EcoBoost is not as efficient as one may expect. The Lambo too is floating on the same boat while the GT-R Nismo takes away the cake with the combined fuel economy of 18 mpg.

Unlike the GT-R or the R8, or the NSX, the Ford GT is not a touring car. The cockpit of the GT is shaped and designed to be aerodynamic, making the Ford GT's cabin one of the most cramped in its class. From head-room to elbow room, the space is limited while the seats are bolted to the carbon fiber chassis. n the driver's seat, the ample adjustments will keep you comfortable, so does the grippy steering wheel which adjusts for rake and reaches. The foot pedals are adjustable as well. 

Both the front seats are well-bolstered and very supportive in tight cornering but not conducive to long-distance comfort. The sports coupe also neglects small-item storage options which reduce the utility of the race car. The cargo space in the standard GT is almost non-existent. The laughable 0.4 cubic ft of space available is not even enough to store half a duffle bag let alone anything bigger. 

There are limited tech features and amenities inside the standard GT: HVAC, radio, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system with a central display. Most of the controls are fortunately steering mounted, s the driver doesn't need to stretch too far for anything. A digital experience is limited to a fully digital instrument cluster. Key Ford GT Interior features include:

• Carbon fiber tub with integrated roll cage
• Carbon fiber racing seats
• Adjustable pedals
• Infotainment screen
• Rotatable instrument cluster

The Ford GT's aerodynamic design earns it massive respect. Ford has worked upon the 2005 GT's downsides and refined every shape and surface to reduce drag and/or increase downforce. Every crease and every vent is functional and channels the air over/under the car efficiently and supports the intercoolers of the twin-turbo V-6 for cooling.

The profile of the GT40s that scored four straight overall victories at Le Mans is still highlighted, though it has been defined and refined by aerodynamic priorities. Some key elements include a big rear wing that multiplies grip at the rear of the car. Another being the active shutters which manage airflow over the front splitter, to balance the wing. In track mode, the static ride height drops from 4.7 inches to just over 2.7.

The high pricing of the Ford GT is more justified by heavy use of carbon fiber including the central passenger tub, all the body panels, the seats are lightly padded carbon fiber, and the brief option list includes carbon fiber wheels. There is a lot of stuff happening on the exterior of the Ford GT. Some of the key highlights are

• Active rear wing
• Active air intakes
• Active front spoiler
• Big dual exhaust
• LED headlights

Like every other exotic car, the 2018 Ford GT has not been crash-tested by the NHTSA and the IIHS. Ford hasn't released the safety features list the car has. However, features like ABS brakes with EBD, electronic stability control, and traction control are all standard, along with that inbuilt roll cage – FIA approved. Few key features include- 

• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• automatic post-crash fuel shutoff system
• frontal, side-impact, and knee airbags
• 3-point safety belt restraint system for all seating positions
• Personal Safety System for driver and front passenger
• SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System

2018 Ford GT Vs 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo

Like the Ford GT, the 2018 Nissan GT-R uses a Nismo-tuned V6 powerplant, rated at 600 hp. Though the GT-R NISMO is less powerful than the GT, the Nissan has its own strengths. Starting with the affordable pricing than the Ford GT, the JDM race car starts as low as $100,000. Driving the GT-R is fun, and the handling is superb. The GT-R offers two rows of seating while the Ford GT offers only a single row. In terms of practicality, the Nissan is a better everyday companion while the Ford GT is meant for an exclusive audience. 

Also, Nissan packs the 2018 GT-R with more convenience and advanced safety features which are mostly missing in Ford's supercar. If there is one car that beats the business of the GT-R, It's the Ford GT, especially its active aero features and carbon fiber construction. With its racing-inspired design on the inside out, the car is just a live wire.

2018 Ford GT Vs 2018 Lamborghini Aventador

Both the Lambo and the Ford have their nuances and are different from each other in many categories. Starting with the pricing of both Ford GT and Lamborghini Aventador are comparable, not much difference here. The Ford GT comes with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost that develops 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, with the Aventador sporting that sublime-sounding naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter, V-12 with 690 horsepower and 507 pound-feet of torque.

Also, the Ford GT is a rear-wheel drive while the Aventador is a bit more sophisticated in that regard - it sends power to all four wheels. On the other hand, the Aventador rolls around with a single clutch gearbox, while the GT comes on with a fantastic double clutch. Overall, the Ford GT is all about aero efficiency and lightweight carbon fiber construction. It tips the scales at 3,400 lbs, while the Aventador officially weighs at 3,700 lbs.

If the price isn’t a deterrent, availability is disappointing. is discouraging. The new Ford GTis an instant collectible, and a genuine supercar, with a daunting price tag. The MSRP is about $200,000 north of Ferrari’s 488 GTB, the GT’s rival last summer at Le Mans. However, buying a GT is less about dollars and more about emotion and lust. It's a track day weapon that represents an impressive achievement by Ford in terms of aerodynamics and performance technology.