We’re not trying to start a horsepower war, since we know the Ford GT would more than likely spank a 2017 C7 Corvette Z06 around a road course with superior driving dynamics and layout. But numbers are numbers.
Ford Authority reports the 2017 Ford GT has officially been rated with a very healthy 647 hp figure, and 550 lb-ft of torque to boot. That makes it Ford’s fastest production car ever built. But, the C7 Corvette Z06 is also producing 100 extra units of twist at 650 lb-ft thanks to its beefy 6.2-liter LT4 supercharged V8 engine.
However, let’s not forget the GT is accomplishing these mad numbers, including a top speed of 216 MPH, will just a 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine.
In all seriousness, it would be interesting to see a straight line race from a dig, even though we know the Z06 has a few issues putting power down to the rear wheels. We’d place our money on the Ford GT, also knowing it tips the scales at nearly 500 pounds less than the monstrous Corvette.
Ford will more than likely have to watch its back, though, since Dearborn isn’t the only place a mid-engine supercar is being developed. All signs point to a mid-engine C8 Corvette surfacing for 2019.
Comments
Yeah, despite the minor HP difference, it’s a pretty safe bet to assume the GT shames the Z06 in every conceivable performance metric! The only thing I don’t understand is the abysmal fuel economy of the GT! How can a 500 lb lighter, turbocharged V6 powered supercar be less fuel efficient than virtually every comparable exotic car in its class? Even the previous GT model was slightly more efficient! But as we all know, fuel efficiency is the last thing on anybody’s mind who’s purchasing one of these. So….
The GT’s mileage is a result of always or nearly always being “on boost”. While the GT engine is technically an EcoBoost, it is tuned WAYYYY more toward boost than eco.
Its just the prestige factor.
Horrid reliability compared to the C6s and C7s.
It’s eco or boost. It takes 647hp worth of fuel to create 647hp regardless of what type of engine produces it. It’s a myth that a smaller engine turbo’d will guarantee noticeable better fuel economy. That’s why the ecoboost truck doesn’t actually get any better mileage than the GM V8’s.
They also have an anti-lag system that uses fuel to keep the turbo’s spooled up. That much boost would lag horribly without it.
Should be a great performer, I just wish they’d of turbo’d a small 8 instead of a 6 so it did’t sound stupid. No matter how good a V6 sounds, it can’t match the majestic sound of a V8.
What it really is, is the inefficiency of a turbo motor under load. If you think about mechanics, the turbos use the energy of the exhaust that is wasted to but more air and therefore more FUEL in the combustion process. Note that the energy to power the turbos is not going towards the powertrain. AKA Turbos are less efficient than naturally aspirated motors. What Europeans have tried to do is figure out how to max out their displacement to run on the highway, and use turbos only in acceleration and passing. Therefore they have some savings of gas. Remember the 2014 5.3 Silverado used displacement to out economize the Eco boost, and that likely will happen again if ford keep downsizing their motors. In the other place, the more torque and powerful LT4 motor (which uses supercharger, and they steal power directly from the crankshaft, even less efficient) gets better milage than the GT thanks to its longer stroke and displacement.
If you dont think that is the truth, GM engineers agree, as they have declared that the next generation of car engines will be bigger and naturally aspirated, disappointed that their current running turbo experiment has been a dud
They didn’t (or couldn’t) use a V8 for packaging reasons. The GT’s engine bay was designed to be as small as possible.
Fastest ford ever yes, but talking numbers not the most powerful the 2013-2014 Shelby was rated at 662HP and 631 lbs ft
cause it used a v8!
@ jake
Yeah but this article says “That makes it Ford’s most powerful production car ever built.” Referring to ONLY power output, NOT cylinders.
Eric is right, that shelby has more power than the gt.
Exactly! The article is wrong. This is Ford fastest car and not the most powerful.
I wonder if GM will build that BIG N/A engine (bigger than 7.0L) and pass emissions by using that multiple cylinder AFM tech, where V8 can go down to V2, IIRC.
They will continue with a V8 but it will become more costly and they will offer other options at some point. You can only kill so many cylinders.
We will see DOHC added soon just to meet the coming emission as they can not meet them with the 2 valve.
Who cares about the road car, honestly. You put them on a track and its plain to see in GTLM that a 2-valve push rod small block is still superior to that twin turbo six. It’s crazy that all the R&D put into the GT and the C7.R still reigns king, with a motor design from decades ago no less. The GT shouldn’t have even been allowed to race last year.
Corvette Racing is dominating the world and still gets absolutely no respect. The best car, the best drivers, the best team.
Taylor you miss a lot of the big picture here.
You need to remember that Ford for one was in development this year. Also in the GTLN class the Balance Of Power plays a big part of who wins and who loses
Corvette lost the last two seasons because of the BOP and this year they won as they did not get the late season changes as the last two years. I expect the Ford will hold an advantage this year with a fully developed car and the series will try to keep them in check but only to a point.
So use care in getting too over the top here as there are issues that are out of the hands of the Team at Pratt and Miller that they can not always control.
The bottom line is the potential of the mid engine car is much greater where as the C7R is nearing the limits of what they can development.
I have been a big Pratt and Miller fan since 1999 and wear my Championship GTLM 2016 hat with pride. But I also know what they are up against and the realities of the car now and into the future with the rules we have.
FYI the engine the team uses is not decades old. Yes it holds a few similar measurements like cylinder bore spacing but the new engine even with two valves is a toughly advanced modern engine.
I agree the GT should not have raced but IMSA said different and it is what it is. Corvette will be competitive but like in other sports where it is earned and not given well that does not apply to IMSA due to the BOP all the time.
IMSA has a tough task taking a series that gets little ratings on TV and drawing in major MFG’s it needs to survive. If you look at road racing history it is all in short takes as it ebbs and flows with the participation of the MFGs.
The Corvette has gotten a ton of respect but the series has had to balance things to keep every one in play. Sometimes they get it right sometimes they mess up like giving it to the Viper two years ago.
Welcome to the real world of racing.
I am wagering at LeMans this year Ferrari will get paid back for the BOP advantage Ford got last year at their expense in the race.
I’m not worried in the least.
The Ford was built for one reason. To race at LeMans and win the 50th anniversary of the GT win. They got that and will continue to race in the two series.
The engine is more in tune for the racing series than street as is much of the car. That is why they will only build a couple hundred a year for 4 years.
In the race series most of the cars including the Corvette are restricted and have less power than the road car. The Z06 has more than the C7R.
That is why a chassis with more ability and better aero come into play. This is also part of the reason for the coming C8 Mid Engine as the C7 has reached the limit of its development with out going to a longer wheel base that would create its own problems.
Power numbers mean little as it is what you can put to the ground that matters.
You all may want to note GM bought back the Cherv 1 Mid Engine Prototype that Zora built. It is a good sign that the Corvette is going mid engine as you can be sure they spent $1.3 M to use it in marketing the new car. Rarely do MFG by back prototypes for no reason at all.
As for Turbo engines most get better MPG as during normal driving they can enjoy a advantage of lower fuel consumption. As for power it is there should it be called upon. When you happier a Turbo the fuel use will increase but in most cases it will still be less than a larger engine. Todays engines with increased torque also helps much and give the feel of torque much lower in the RPM range.
I own a Ecotec that holds 300 HP and while I drive normal most of the time I still see 24 PSI on the on ramps and still get 26 MPG city driven hard and high way of 30-32. Driven the same way in the same conditions a V8 will not meet those numbers. I know as I have done so. That is not to say I do not enjoy the V8 but since I have time in both I can say there is a difference in MPG for the 4 cylinder.
Hardly a “production” car. Hand built in a race car shop in Canada.
As for J’s comments about shaming the Z06… with a price difference of about $275,000 I’m sure you could take the extra coin you save on the Z06 and go to Hennessy or Lingenfelter and mod your Z06 to be extremely competitive. Probably could afford a new 2500HD Duramax and trailer to pull it as well.
$400k + for a ford? Please.
And a Hellcat makes 707 hp, but no one is trying to claim it’s better or faster than the Ford GT. The actual HP number isn’t that important; it’s what the car can do with the HP. The Ford is relatively light and with the mid engine will be able to get the power down. At 216 mph, it’s pretty clear it will have a top-speed advantage, too. The Ford’s lead is safe until the mid-engined Corvette shows up. That should be a more fair fight. Nothing a turbo DI Coyote or Voodoo in the GT couldn’t handle.
The GT is sold out. They’re certainly not going to retrofit another engine.
The GT made a name for itself in the 1960s, and the nameplate returned to Ford for the 2005 and 2006 models. Since then, the vehicle has truly evolved into a supercar, evident by it’s $100,000+ price tag.
The company has made some changes to the third-generation GT, prioritizing handling and track capabilities in their 2017 model. The result? Not only one of Ford’s most impressive cars ever, but perhaps one of the most innovative cars to ever be released. For more information about the 2017 Ford GT Wishlist checkout.
Amazing More Power Than 2017 Ford GT … Super Speed in future …
Wow, the car is strong, I think it is a luxury car, in the future it can be faster.