The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is one of the biggest auto shows around. Taking place in Detroit, the “Motor City,” the show typically takes place during two weeks in the middle of January. With this year’s show coming to an end over the weekend, the car industry has been introduced to many new technologies, new styles and the revival of many famous model names. Throughout this week, we here at ResCars will do a rundown on the biggest new vehicles revivals and innovations introduced at the show. We will first start with the Ford Motor Company and their big three revivals.
The Ford Motor Company, arguably, stole almost the entire show with their announcements of three of newly designed performance vehicles for the 2016 model year. With these new models, Ford is clearly focused on getting the most out of their performance vehicle divisions. These new models include the all-new F-150 Raptor, the new Shelby GT350R Mustang, and the winner of the Eyeson Design Prize for Best Production Vehicle, all-new Ford GT.
2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
The all-new Ford F-150 Raptor takes the Raptor program and trucks in-general into a completely different direction. While the new Raptor continues the previous Raptors’ off-road focus, this new Raptor is skinned in a new high-strength, military-grade aluminium alloy that Ford says will save the truck 500 pounds. While the truck’s frame is still made of a high-strength steel, the aluminium body has sparked some controversy among “stereotypical truck owners” who are unsure of the capabilities and strength of the aluminium. These same people are also a bit uneasy with the new engine that will be going into the truck: the new second-generation 3.5L EcoBoost V6.
This new 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in the Raptor will have two turbocharges, something the typical truck customer will also not be trilled about. However, truck owners will like the expected more than 450 hp from this new engine, making about 40 more than the previous 5.2L V8. The new Raptor will receive further performance improvements with the involvement of an all-new-10 speed transmission, dual-exhaust, next-generation BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, an all-new four-wheel drive system, improved off-road driver-assist technology, and a wider wheelbase for improved stability. Add all of this up, the new Raptor sounds very promising.
2016 Shelby GT350R Mustang
At the NAIAS, Ford also introduced the new Shelby GT350R Mustang. Continuing on the tread Carroll Shelby introduced 50 years ago with his GT350, Ford has introduced this Mustang as the most track-capable production Mustang ever built. First of all, the weight of the entire car has been drastically dropped. In the typical, “if it does not make you go faster, it goes” mentality, Ford has removed basically every luxury from the Mustang, making the car 130 pounds light that the current, successful Shelby GT350 Track Pack model. Customers can, however, request all of these luxuries put back in with an option Electronics pack. The new GT350R has also been absolutely smothered in Carbon-fiber. From the front-splitter, to the rear spoiler, Ford has made many aerodynamic changes to increase down-force all over the vehicle.
The biggest new carbon-fiber addition is, however, the new carbon-fiber wheels. Ford has become the first major automaker to introduce this innovative technology as standard equipment. Ford will continue to introduce more new technology on The GT350R with the inclusion of new 5.2L dual overhead-cam V8. This new V8 will be the first V8 produced by Ford with a flat-plane crankshaft. This new engine orientation, that is typical used in European sports cars, has allowed Ford to make its most powerful naturally aspirated V8 ever, producing over 500 hp and over 400 lb-ft of torque. Looking at the specification of this new GT350R, Ford has really put its money where its mouth is.
2017 Ford GT
While the new Raptor and 350R Mustang have pushed the performance envelope, Ford’s biggest announcement was the rebirth of their famous supercar, the Ford GT. Debuting next year to coincide with Ford’s famous 1-2-3 finish at the 24 hours of Le Mans, the Ford GT will serve as a platform to showcase Ford’s innovation in light-weighting, aerodynamics and the new EcoBoost engine. Yes, that’s right, just like the last Ford GT from the early 2000’s, the all-new GT will have the same engine as it’s trucks. This EcoBoost engine will also include two turbochargers along with some other unnamed extras in order to produce over 600 hp.
The GT also received the carbon-fiber treatment like the GT350R did, except to a whole new level. Most of the car body will be made from carbon-fiber and will include aluminium front and rear sub-frames. The body of the car was also specifically designed to allow for maximum aerodynamic efficiency as well as having a modern look and style. Combining the GT’s ultra-light body and the EcoBoost’s power band, and you have a car that will exhibit one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car. This new GT sounds like it will be a serious threat to European rivals. However, what else would you expect from a car that was originally designed to my Enzo Ferrari frown.
Ford has really stepped-up it’s performance game at the NAIAS. Introducing two of their famed performance models by 2020, this is a window into what we can expect from Ford in the next five years. In my opinion, this is clear indication that Ford is looking towards the future and is racing to be in the lead when it comes. If you want more evidence of this, Ford let the Turn10, the studio responsible for the Forza Motorsport video game franchise, into their designing area and will let them feature the new Ford GT as the cover car for Turn10’s upcoming Forza Motorsports 6. You can read more about that over on our sister site, OnlineRaceDriver.com.
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