It’s the end of an era for this famous Ford racecar – and it’s getting the sendoff it deserves. Ford is giving the 2023 GT a proper send-off by calling back to its roots and letting this iconic car go with a bang (of an engine). Known for its cutting-edge developments in aerodynamics, the GT may be racing off the race car scene, but it is always going to be known in the history books. And while this final iteration of the GT in 2023 may not be street legal, we’ll give you an inside look at what it’s like to be behind the wheel of the GT.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The final version of the Ford GT will be a track-only model.
- The GT is still living up to its racecar roots, with a powerhouse of an engine producing 800 hp.
- This model focused on ground-breaking aerodynamics and “razor-sharp” handling.
- Only select clients will be chosen by Ford to purchase the GT with a starting price of $1.7M.
EXTERIOR DESIGN: FORD’S RACING HISTORY & LEGACY
First and foremost, the GT is a supercar. To pay homage to its legacy, the design of the final edition of the GT is based on the 1967 Ford GT Mk IV racer car. This historic car won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, only just a couple of years after being introduced on the racing scene. It was up against the best of the best, like Ferrari, and no one would have assumed the American underdog would have come out on top against its European supercar competitors. Now, the 2023 GT is no exception, and making heads turn for its new, impressive features.
ENGINE & POWER
The 2023 GT has a lot of updated features when compared to last year’s model. Gone are all the interior comforts that the super-fast, but street-legal 2022 model had: no more entertainment features, comfy cabin, or 6.5-inch infotainment system. It’s just not needed anymore – the last goodbye of the GT will be solely for the racetrack. Therefore, all of its features are built around the high-powered twin-turbo V6 with a whopping 800 horsepower. Last year’s model’s horsepower was 660. To make the 2023 GT a racecar standard - Ford added a Multimatic’s Adaptive Spool Valve, better suspension, an extended wheelbase, and center-lock wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport racing slicks. Instead of that comfier interior from years before there’s now track safety equipment such as a roll cage, racing seats, and safety harnesses.
SELECT DRIVERS ONLY FOR THIS SPEED-MOTIVATED RACECAR
If you thought you were going to get your hands on this collector’s piece, it may be time to reconsider. Or at least, give it some time. Ford is handling their final make of this racecar in a very specific way; only select drivers will have the chance of purchasing the 1.7 million dollar car, with only 67 being produced. And yes, that is 67 cars in homage to the historically important year for Ford 1967. We can expect that the client selections for this have already been chosen, as Ford mentioned they would be at the start of 2023. Each car will be hand-built; no assembly line on this one. Ford has ditched last year’s race-track version of the car that sported a vintage “red and white stripe” look, with carbon fiber, futuristic blue that builds on the idea of an innovative future-forward outlook for the company.
ALL GREAT THINGS COME TO AN END
With all the bells and whistles stripped away from the 2022 GT, it’s impossible to ignore what the GT truly is and what it was originally built for – a racecar. It’s a humble end to the way this legacy started, bringing full circle to its claim to fame in the first place. The end of a final chapter that results in a closed book, means there’s only another great story to be told. The future is bright for Ford as it continues to lead the way in automotive innovation. Time will only tell now what is in store for the future of racing, as it’s only a matter of time until Ford innovates something just as iconic as the Famous GT.