Ford's GT Supercar Lightens Weight with Carbon Fiber

Ford has reintroduced its GT supercar with an innovative light-weighting strategy that uses carbon fiber and an ultra-efficient EcoBoost engine.

The Ford GT, a two-seat mid-engine sports car with rear-wheel drive, was last produced in 2005 and 2006. It will be one of 20 high-performance vehicles Ford plans to introduce by 2020. Other vehicles include the Focus RS, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350, and Shelby GT350R.

The Ford GT, which goes into production in 2016, will arrive with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost that produces more than 600 hp.

The all-new GT features advanced lightweight composites that will help serve Ford's entire product lineup moving forward. With the broad application of structural carbon fiber elements, the GT will exhibit one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car, according to Ford.

Anchored by a carbon fiber passenger cell, the GT features aluminum front and rear subframes encapsulated in structural carbon fiber body panels. Carbon fiber is one of the world’s strongest materials for its mass — enabling an ultra-stiff foundation for chassis components, while creating a lighter overall package for increased dynamic performance and efficiency.