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by Ross Finlay (05 Apr 04)
In the cagier way companies often express these things, the GT-R "signals a potential future race car . . . [and] also hints at a turn-key grassroots racing package that could be retailed through Ford Racing's parts catalogue and distribution network". But look - there's very little of the future conditional about this project. Ford is obviously going for it, and although the GT-R is mainly for the North American market, it will be a surprise if determined characters on this side of the pond don't manage to import some of the cars, once they go into production. The standard 2005 Mustang which goes on sale in the States this autumn contributes about 85% of the GT-R's body components, and they're already designed to make the basic structure much firmer than before. Specialist Builders Construction of the concept car was entrusted to Saleen of Troy, Michigan, which has turned out competition cars under its own name as well as running race-prepared privateer Mustangs, and some of the team involved in the GT-R project are also building sub-assemblies for the Ford GT production supercar.
Under the bulging carbon fibre bonnet of the show car, surrounded by race-tuned suspension, other lightweight body panels, front and side splitters, and 20" wheels with Pirelli racing slicks, is one of Ford's off-the-shelf competition engines. This is a 4995cc aluminium-block V8 - the classic 302 cubic inches in American measurement, with a power output of 440bhp. Basically, it's one of Ford's MOD 4.6-litre engine family, bored out to get closer to five litres. |
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In other words, these are guys who know about racing and performance machinery, and the way Ford is chucking out names of championships - ALMS, Trans-Am and GrandAm, not to mention the FIA - whose rules might accommodate a suitably modified GT-R makes it perfectly clear that the thing's as good as wrapped up.
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