If you consider spending around $1 million on a supercar, it needs to be truly exceptional. When Ford brought back the GT in 2017, it had a significant legacy to uphold. The journey of the latest Ford GT might have taken a different direction. Ford initially aimed to develop a track-focused Mustang for Le Mans competition. However, the engineering team encountered aerodynamic challenges with the Mustang’s front end design. This led them to conceive a design that was distinctly not a Mustang, giving rise to the new Ford GT.
The Thrill of Driving the 2017 Ford GT
The Ford GT is anything but quiet. It roars to life upon ignition, and while the V6 engine’s sound becomes familiar, the joy of hearing it sing never fades. Despite its track-ready nature, it’s surprisingly manageable on the road. While incredibly powerful, the GT doesn’t feel intimidating or difficult to control.
The accelerator offers a nuanced experience with distinct stages. A gentle touch allows for smooth cruising. At lower speeds, the engine emits a deep, resonant sound without being aggressive. Applying more pressure brings out its sports car responsiveness. Depressing the pedal fully unleashes its supercar character. In this “rocketship mode,” the 638 bhp engine takes center stage, blurring the surrounding landscape.
While the concept of an “everyday supercar” might seem contradictory, the 2017 Ford GT is surprisingly practical. It behaves well in urban environments and delivers breathtaking speed on open roads. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is remarkably smooth and efficient. Unlike some competitors with similar transmissions that can feel intrusive, the GT’s gear changes are almost imperceptible and perfectly timed.
In comparison, the 2005 Ford GT featured a six-speed manual transmission, and for typical road driving, fourth gear was often sufficient. However, beyond the shared GT name and raw power, the 2005 and 2017 versions are fundamentally different vehicles.
Inside the 2017 Ford GT: A Driver-Focused Cockpit
The interior of the 2017 GT, while not echoing the classic design of the 1960s model, possesses its own unique charm. The butterfly doors immediately stand out, replacing the traditional swing-out doors of the original, which incorporated a section of the roof. While visually striking, they don’t dramatically simplify entry and exit, as you still need to navigate over a substantial carbon fiber sill.
A distinctive feature is the fixed seat position, including the backrest. Instead of adjusting the seat, you use a lever to slide the pedal box towards you. This unusual design emphasizes Ford’s intention for the driver to adopt a specific driving posture. Fortunately, the seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the steering wheel offers ample adjustability, ensuring a comfortable driving position for most.
The steering wheel is incredibly precise, making the array of controls on its face forgivable. A nostalgic element of the 2005 GT was its indicator sound, reminiscent of a boiling kettle. In the 2017 version, this has been replaced with a more conventional clicking sound, often masked by the engine’s noise.
Instead of a traditional indicator stalk, the 2017 GT uses buttons on each side of the steering wheel to activate the indicators. This takes some adaptation, and initially, you might find yourself engaging the paddle shifters by mistake. While slightly unconventional for road use, this feature reinforces the car’s track-oriented design, encouraging spirited driving on a circuit.
The Price Evolution of the Ford GT: From Launch to Today
This generation of the Ford GT, like its predecessors, has seen significant appreciation in value. When new, the base price was around $450,000. Currently, average prices hover around $1 million, highlighting its desirability and investment potential. This price trajectory makes understanding the Ford Gt 2024 Price point a relevant topic for enthusiasts and collectors. While there isn’t a “Ford GT 2024” model in the traditional sense, the market value of existing GTs in 2024 reflects this upward trend.
Production of the latest Ford GT was even more limited than the 2005-2006 model, with only 1,350 units produced. Ford initially planned for 1,000, but strong demand led to a slight increase in production. The original plan was to produce 250 cars annually from 2017 to 2020, but in the first year, only 138 were manufactured. Given its rarity and iconic status, the Ford GT is likely to continue attracting buyers willing to pay premium prices, especially for early, low-mileage examples, further solidifying its place as a sought-after supercar in 2024 and beyond.
2017 Ford GT Technical Specifications
Original Price (when new): $450,000
Average Price (current market): $1,000,000
Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6
Power Output: 638 bhp at 6,250 rpm
Torque: 550 lb-ft at 5,900 rpm
Top Speed: 216 mph
0-62 mph Acceleration: 2.8 seconds
