V6-engined GT never intended, says Ford CEO Jim Farley

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【Summary】Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed that the V6-engined GT was never intended to be produced. Initially, Ford wanted a Mustang racecar to win the GT class at Le Mans in 2016. However, it was determined that the Mustang's silhouette would not be competitive enough, leading to the development of the Ford GT. Despite the change in plans, the GT has been successful both on the track and in sales.

FutureCar Staff Aug 31, 2023 4:31 PM PT

V6-engined GT never intended, says Ford CEO Jim Farley

Ford CEO Jim Farley recently revealed that the V6-engined GT was never intended to be produced. The original plan was for a Mustang racecar to win the GT class at Le Mans in 2016, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Ford's first Le Mans win. Ford partnered with Multimatic to create the Ford GT, which went on to win the LM GTE-Pro class and eventually became a production road car.

Surprisingly, the GT was never meant to be a reality. During the unveiling of the Mustang GTD, Farley explained that the initial intention was for the Mustang to win Le Mans. However, after considering the challenges of winning with the Mustang's silhouette and the regulations imposed by the ACO and French regulators, Ford decided to change course and collaborate with Multimatic to design the Ford GT.

Although the GT project deviated from the original plan, it turned out to be a major success for Ford. Farley expressed satisfaction with the car's performance and sales, noting that they even raced the car before selling the road version, which was quite an achievement.

Overall, the Ford GT's unexpected journey from a racecar concept to a highly sought-after production car has been a testament to Ford's innovation and determination to honor its Le Mans legacy.