Ford GT90

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This article or section contains information about a concept automobile. It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature, though such must be attributed to relevant sources. Concept cars, by definition, rarely become production models, and any given specifications may change significantly as development progresses.

The GT90 side view. On the side there are infrared sensors to detect cars approaching in the driver's blind spot.

The Ford GT90 was a concept car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was unveiled in January 1995, at the Detroit Auto Show as "the world's mightiest supercar". Claimed performance included a top speed 250 mph (402 km/h) from a 720 hp (537 kW) quad-turbocharged V12 engine, the exhaust of which was claimed to be hot enough to damage the body panels, requiring ceramic tiles similar to those on the space shuttle to prevent this.

The mid-engined car was a spiritual successor to the Ford GT40, taking from it some styling cues, such as doors that cut into the roofline, but little else. All angles and glass, the Ford GT90 was the first Ford to display the company's "New Edge" design philosophy. The GT90 was built around a honeycomb-section aluminum monocoque and its body panels were moulded from carbon fiber.

The GT90 was built by a small team in just over six months and, as a result, borrowed many components from another high profile stablemate—the Jaguar XJ220. The all-round double wishbone suspension and the five-speed manual gearbox came from the Jaguar, while the engine was from another member of the Ford family.

The GT90's 48-valve V12 was a six-litre engine which, if Ford had ever produced it in volume, might have produced up to 720 hp (537 kW), thanks to four Garrett Systems T2 turbochargers. The engine was based on the Ford Modular engine. Two Lincoln V8 engines each had portions removed, namely the last pair of cylinders from the rear of one engine and the first pair of cylinders from the front of the other engine and the cut down engines were welded together. In total, this yielded a 90-degree V12, with 90.2 mm bore and 77.3 mm stroke.

It is one of the cars that can be driven in the game Need for Speed II. It is also available to drive in Gran Turismo 2, Sega GT 2002, Ford Racing 2, Ford Racing 3, Ford Street Racing, Project Gotham Racing 3, Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA, TOCA Race Driver 2, and Ford vs. Chevy.

Jacques Nasser, then a Ford executive and eventually CEO, was very proud of the car, and kept a model of it on his desk.

[edit] References

• John McCormick "No White Elephant" AUTOCAR, 9 August 1995.
• Top Gear - Series 3 Episode 1 aired 26/10/2003