Ford GT 2005 Car Review
When I approach an exotic car that can go 204 MPH with a roof
line that is only as high as my belt, I have low ergonomic
expectations. I’ll probably get some bruising from the
suspension and hopefully be distracted by the acceleration to
forget how uncomfortable everything else is. I was only right
about the acceleration.
The Ford GT is the remake of the 1966 Le Mans champion car
called the GT40. The original GT40 was a great looking car, but
this new GT has a spectacular exterior design. I’m normally
quick to whine about a benign design concept, or a trunk line or
the shape under the front bumper, or at least some little picky
thing. But the more I looked around this car, the more
admiration I have for this work of art. And the designers &
engineers had to factor in stable aerodynamics at 200 MPH that
would have flipped the original model on its top.
The 5.4-liter engine fills the entire back half of the car, and
the supercharged V-8 produces 550 horsepower. For the
performance fans: the GT’s 0-to-60 time is only 3.3 seconds, and
it takes only 11.6 seconds to pass a -mile. The engine note is
pretty plain; no NASCAR guttural tones or Formula-1 scream that
I could tell; the glass partition between the interior cab and
the engine deaden the sound. (From the inside you can turn your
head to see a giant belt turning, to what I presume to be the
superchargers).
Under the front hood is plenty of storage room for a sports car;
about enough for 6 tennis balls or a pair of flip-flops, but not
both at the same time! Once inside the car, you realize that the
only storage is in the front trunk. There is no glove box, no
side-pocket, no cup holder, but I suppose I could slide a few
envelopes under my seat. But this is exactly what I want in a
true sports car - all business at propelling me forward and
nothing flying around the cockpit as I take big g-forces in the
turns.
The interior was much more comfortable than I expected, and the
black and silver knobs and dash have an edgy look to them. It
has the usual big red “Start” button that many expensive cars
have made popular (again), and toggle switches like a space
shuttle for the rear defroster and hazard lights. The tachometer
is the big dial in front of the driver and that irrelevant
speedometer is off to the right, nearly next to the passenger.
Don’t forget to set the temperature controls before you start
moving because they are under your right elbow in the center
console and awkward to reach while driving.
When driving the car, the biggest surprise I had is how
comfortable it takes the potholes and uneven surfaces. I’ve
ridden in sport BMW sedans that don’t ride this smoothly. The GT
is easy to launch and shift, with power delivered without a
noticeable spike from the superchargers. I didn’t get a chance
to throw the car around many corners, but the low profile and
wide stance would indicate an adeptness with lateral-speed.
If you are trying to avoid attention, I can’t think of a bigger
mistake than being in this car. Everywhere I drove some people
were staring and pointing, and at nearly every stop light,
someone had a question about the car - a lot more public
attraction than any other unique production car I’ve piloted.
But for the GT most of its features are extremes, and I am very
pleased that Ford has proven it can compete in the +$150,000
world market.
