What's the news?
Just when you thought Ford's GT supercar couldn't get any more super, it does. Ford has taken the GT, which is basically a Le Mans racer with numberplates already, and made it a bit lighter for increased performance.
Now, we're not talking about a dramatic weight loss here. In fact, the total is 18kg, which is 1.1 per cent of the car's 1,500kg kerb weight. Ford has added lightness mostly through using a new set of carbon fibre wheels, which are held on to the hubs with new titanium nuts. There's a titanium exhaust too, and a new polycarbonate rear hatch.
Called the Carbon Series, Ford reckons that this road-going version of the GT is the closest you can get to the actual race car, while still being able to tax it. You can still get it with such fripperies as air conditioning, SYNC3 infotainment, and a radio but the cupholders have been removed so, we guess, bring a bottle or something.
The Carbon Series also features more exposed 'natural' carbon fibre weave on show than the standard model, and you can choose from new highlight colour options. There are two exposed carbon stripes running along the body, with matching A pillars, lower body panels, and those wheels. The interior is basically a mass of exposed carbon as well, and there's silver stitching for the seats and steering wheel, as well as a special plaque for the dash. You can pick from four accent colours - silver, orange, red or blue - for the mirror caps, centre stripe and brake calipers.
"The Ford GT Carbon Series will stand out on the road with its striking, carbon-fibre-rich design and on the track with its athleticism," says Hermann Salenbauch, global director, Ford Performance. "It is yet another example of how we can bring to life our Le Mans-winning supercar in new and exciting ways so our customer can share in that magical legacy."
"This is an example of how we listen to our customers", said Lance Mosley, marketing manager, Ford Performance. "While the Ford GT Competition model appeals to hardcore racing enthusiasts, we found more customers asking for more exposed carbon fibre with the air conditioning and radio still intact. So we developed the Carbon Series to satisfy that need, while providing a distinct look."