Ford planning LeMans Return + Ford GT revival

[CodeRedR51]

Also, the silver is good, but I really want to see this in black, can you imagine?

This car + Black paint = Batman's next street car. Screw the Lambo's.

 

[Niku Driver HC]

This car + Black paint = Batman's next street car. Screw the Lambo's.

Well, at least then the Batman could go full USA on the villains if that happened. A true American badass car, no less.

 

[05XR8]

Silver anyone? More here.

View attachment 309044

Imagine this as a three-wheeler? Photoshop anyone? Anyone?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

The word "easy" rarely applies anywhere in racing.
It was anything but easy 50yrs ago and it will be even more so now.

Only if you want to be literal in the sense, I was basically saying that knowledge doesn't lead to or quantify into success, at least not quickly. Yes they know how to run for 24hours but in a specific rule set and setup and region, but that doesn't translate like you would seem to depict. All I've been saying.

Proof?
My first post admits it is speculative.[/quote]

Then why keep pushing it forward as if it's the reason or solution, when my point is just as valid if not more. Considering R&D centers are built and used for various things in the world of engineering, not just one thing.

I don't think Ford is going to be content with that this time around.
If they are moving to increase their presence and dominance in NASCAR, which they as much as stated a few years ago, then Chip's association is the best and an excellent addition to that end.
I'll have to check that out in the NASCAR thread.

Two things I personally can take away from this for future use, one you're blue with Ford bias it would seem and two you seem to have a Chip on you shoulder (play on words cause your a Ganassi fan as well) that leads to additional bias. If Chip is such a great addition then surely he shouldn't have trouble running beyond what he has, this past year was the first in a long time that his team has had a legitimate shot at the chase.

Luckily they had a good driver in Larson, but what happens when he leaves for something that is actually a good team with consistency.

Once again we can hash this out on the NASCAR thread, last time I offer after this I'm just going to pretend these parts of the post don't exist.

Yes it will be interesting to see how it shapes up over the coming months.
All I'm saying is at this juncture in time, the unveiling of a new FordGT with eco boost V6 power is more than just a coincidence, and the landscape seems to indicate the best possibility for a Lemans effort points in the Ganassi direction.

Yes it does seem to be beyond coincidence, due to it being rumored and then coming true in one of the two capacities so far. The Ganassi iteration of it seems to be your creation alone.

 

[Northstar]

Obviously Chevy took notice of Chip's Ford connection in IMSA , and partnered Ganassi with Hendrick support last year, improving his Cup program considerably.

Ganassi switched to Hendrick for the 2013 season, the switch to Ford DP's was in '14...

Or maybe more.

Of course it's possible, I just think there are plenty of other, better, options for Ford to choose from.

 

[SuperCobraJet]

Only if you want to be literal in the sense, I was basically saying that knowledge doesn't lead to or quantify into success, at least not quickly. Yes they know how to run for 24hours but in a specific rule set and setup and region, but that doesn't translate like you would seem to depict. All I've been saying.

Obviously, your point is valid one.
Although at this point in time Chip is the only 24 hr connection Ford has, that we know of.

Proof?
My first post admits it is speculative.

Then why keep pushing it forward as if it's the reason or solution, when my point is just as valid if not more. Considering R&D centers are built and used for various things in the world of engineering, not just one thing.

Only because again its the only 24hr connection to be made at this point in time and
Lemans 2016 is not that far out.

I'm agreeing with your R&D point.
It may have been built in the heart of NASCAR operations, but it can certainly be used for other racing applications.
Lemans car classes come to mind.

Two things I personally can take away from this for future use, one you're blue with Ford bias it would seem and two you seem to have a Chip on you shoulder (play on words cause your a Ganassi fan as well) that leads to additional bias. If Chip is such a great addition then surely he shouldn't have trouble running beyond what he has, this past year was the first in a long time that his team has had a legitimate shot at the chase.

Yea, I'm a blue oval fan allright.
As far as Gannasi, or any other team for that matter, if they are running Fords, I'm a fan.
Although I'm not sure bias really enters into this yet since an official Leman's effort is still yet to be established.

Gannasi has proven to be a top team and dominant force in INDY as well as IMSA.
NASCAR is a much tougher nut to crack, as Chip has no doubt found out.
With Hendrick support he has improved somewhat, but he isn't the force there, he is elsewhere.
Even so he is the best possible NASCAR Cup addition Ford could make.

Luckily they had a good driver in Larson, but what happens when he leaves for something that is actually a good team with consistency.

No doubt that could be a big problem for Chip in the future.
IMO, Kyle Larson is the most talented young driver to come into NASCAR since Kyle Bush.
But without all the negatives.
He may not need to worry about it if he could get similar results as the Captain did last year with just two blue oval cars.
Gave the Hendrick juggernaut a run for their money.

Yes it does seem to be beyond coincidence, due to it being rumored and then coming true in one of the two capacities so far. The Ganassi iteration of it seems to be your creation alone.

Again at this point in time, that's just because it is the only 24hr dot that's connected.
Well hold the phone.
Here is another tidbit that came out yesterday
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/02/12/ford-gt-to-be-built-by-racing-outfit-multimatic/

I found this also:
http://autoweek.com/article/sports-cars/new-ford-gt-will-race-le-mans-chip-ganassi-2016

 

[Stephan]

In my opinion about the new Ford GT, well first of all, its V6....so not my problem but my concern is about the bodywork. It doesn't even come close to its predecessors. Its like the GT40 and the GT90 had a baby and the results....this GT.

 

[GranTurismo guy]

In my opinion about the new Ford GT, well first of all, its V6....so not my problem but my concern is about the bodywork. It doesn't even come close to its predecessors. Its like the GT40 and the GT90 had a baby and the results....this GT.

The gt90 looked.... Different. This looks amazing.

 

[Stephan]

Yeah but the rear part reminded me of the GT90.

 

[BrunoI_SRE]

if any bit of it reminded me of the GT90 I would hate it , luckily it doesn't remind me of the GT90.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Want one of these? Hopefully you have $400k.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/05/2017-ford-gt-price-report-geneva-2015/

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Want one of these? Hopefully you have $400k.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/05/2017-ford-gt-price-report-geneva-2015/

O_O

Wow, that's a surprise. I guess Ford isn't going for the working class supercar theme.

 

[Blackbird.]

O_O

Wow, that's a surprise. I guess Ford isn't going for the working class supercar theme.

The only one that exists now is the R8 and I suppose the GT3

 

[McLaren]

Working class supercar was never the GT's market, even at $150,000 for the '05 car.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

The only one that exists now is the R8 and I suppose the GT3

um...what? R8?

 

[Mt. Lynx]

Looking at the numbers being built, I'm not sure the GT will go to Le Mans. For homologation purposes, 300 cars has to be built. If Ford only makes 250 GT's, that leaves Le Mans out of the question. A GT3 effort would make more sense in that case.

 

[Blackbird.]

um...what? R8?

Based on $150,000 but nevermind. Plus the R8 starts at $115k even though we both know no one gets a base R8.

 

[RandomCarGuy17]

Based on $150,000 but nevermind. Plus the R8 starts at $115k even though we both know no one gets a base R8.

Oh yeah, right; you're mentioning my comment about working class supercars.
For some reason, I thought you were referring to something else. Though, with that said, the R8 isn't the only one of that kind left. Remember the Nissan GT-R, Chevrolet Corvette, & Dodge Viper? They all start at cheaper prices than the Audi R8.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

In a time when $1-4 million dollar cars are becoming fairly common, $400k doesn't seem so bad. But still....I feel it's a bit much. I was hoping for another 150-200k car.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

In a time when $1-4 million dollar cars are becoming fairly common, $400k doesn't seem so bad. But still....I feel it's a bit much. I was hoping for another 150-200k car.

I find it amusing that people are as caught up over price as they are. How many of were actually gonna buy this car at 200k?

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

With a lot of these cars it's more a case of old saying, if you have to ask then you can't afford it.

 

[SuperCobraJet]

Considering the asking prices on the last iteration of the Ford GT are in the 250 to over 400 range, the price doesn't really sound out of line.

Particularly since the new version appears to be quite a bit more advanced build than the last.

 

[Keef]

The last car really was worth vastly more than they asked for it, obviously. This one will be even more scarce, apparently.

 

[Exorcet]

I find it amusing that people are as caught up over price as they are. How many of were actually gonna buy this car at 200k?

Well, wealth is a spectrum. Being able to afford a $200,000 car doesn't mean you can afford to pay double that. The initial price and available will also impact the price of the car in the future as well.

I can't say I'm happy with a really limited and expensive production run, but it's Ford's choice.

 

[McLaren]

If Lamborghini can sell 1,000 Aventadors in just over a year's time at $398,000 a piece, Ford will have no trouble moving the GT at the same price point. They sold over 200 GTs/month 3 times with the last car at $150-$200,000 & this car is limited to that number on a year to year basis.

Looking at the numbers being built, I'm not sure the GT will go to Le Mans. For homologation purposes, 300 cars has to be built. If Ford only makes 250 GT's, that leaves Le Mans out of the question. A GT3 effort would make more sense in that case.

250 units a year. If 300 is the minimum needed, Ford will achieve it likely based on order numbers alone.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

Well, wealth is a spectrum. Being able to afford a $200,000 car doesn't mean you can afford to pay double that. The initial price and available will also impact the price of the car in the future as well.

I can't say I'm happy with a really limited and expensive production run, but it's Ford's choice.

We all know Ford will sell this car without much trouble. They probably figured they could sell at 400k without problem, so why limit yourself at 200k.

 

[Exorcet]

I'm sure they did research when setting the price. I don't like limited production runs though. I'd rather there be a lot of them than a few. That tends to lower price as well.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

I'm sure they did research when setting the price. I don't like limited production runs though. I'd rather there be a lot of them than a few. That tends to lower price as well.

But that would defeat the purpose of a halo car. Cars like these are never meant to be attainable because they will appreciate in price over time. Ford purposely wants to make it exclusive, and believe it or not, people who will buy rather pay the extra 200k for the exclusivity.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I think supercar prices are inflating way ahead of the general economy.

In 2005, a Ferrari 360 cost around $160k USD and it was essentially the Ford's #1 target (even though the Ford was really quite a bit beyond the 360 in terms of performance)

The 2015 Mclaren 675LT (which is arguably in the same class as the 360, or perhaps the 360CS) will cost a staggering $350k USD and it seems to be Ford's target this time, maybe.

USD-160k in 2005 is USD-191k in 2015 according to normal inflation. For reference, the 458 Italia costs between USD-233k-260k. Even considered relatively, these supercars (I still call them exotic sports car, despite how increasingly ridiculous this is beginning to be) are more closely resembling 'hypercars' every year in both performance and price. If the Huracan and 488 are to keep up, then I'm not sure there's room for the Aventador and F12 at the top. Mclaren can do this because there is a huge gap between the 6** range and the P1.

Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Mclaren*, let's see a sort of mortal-performance line of supercars around 500hp and $150k. The rate of performance increases between generations of performance cars in the last 10 years is quite literally numbing. It's hard to appreciate any of it anymore.

*I know Mclaren are already working on it

 

[Exorcet]

But that would defeat the purpose of a halo car. Cars like these are never meant to be attainable because they will appreciate in price over time. Ford purposely wants to make it exclusive, and believe it or not, people who will buy rather pay the extra 200k for the exclusivity.

I know, but I still don't like it. Rarity does nothing for me, all I care about is the car. If I was able to shell out millions for a car, exclusivity would not be a concern of mine.

Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Mclaren*, let's see a sort of mortal-performance line of supercars around 500hp and $150k.

They could do a lot better than that (GT-R's, Corvettes, 911, Vipers, even the old GT beat that), but it would require them to change their stance in the market, which they probably won't do. I think I'd rather see more entry level supercars aim a bit higher. I like the Dodge Viper because it's mostly a sports car and doesn't try very hard to be a luxury car at the same time, but it always seems like it's built to a budget. I'd love to see one with a composite monocoque and fully developed underbody/internal aero. It would be significantly more expensive than what it is now, but probably less than something equivalent from McLaren, etc. Of course, I wouldn't be in a position to buy one right now.