Ford recently opened up a bit more about the five selectable drive modes on the all-new Ford GT supercar: Normal, Wet, Sport, Track, and V-Max. Most of the information was already known, and for a much more thorough write-up on the Ford GT drive modes, we suggest checking out our “Deep Dive” from last December.
Nevertheless, we did learn a few new details. Normal, Wet, and Sport mode are all aimed at the street, while Track and V-Max are absolutely not to be used anywhere but a closed course. So, to keep drivers from accidentally selecting a track-only mode while moving, the car needs to be in Park before Track or V-Max can be selected. This makes sense anyway, as the Ford GT requires some time to drop its ride height from 120 mm to 70 mm, and to close its front aerodynamic apertures.
“This mode is for track use only,” says Ford GT Engineering Supervisor Nick Terzes. “Even coming from Sport, control is significantly different – dramatically so. In this mode, every aspect of the car is optimized for track use.”
Also news to us: every drive mode save for Wet offers a simple launch control system that’s activated through the instrument panel menu. When engaged, the driver need only depress the brake with his or her left foot while fully depressing the throttle with their right, and then lift off the brake to launch. Computers do all the hard work.
For more on the particulars of each of the Ford GT’s drive modes, check out Ford’s table below.
| Wet | Normal | Sport | Track* | V-Max* | |
| Use | Driving in wet conditions | Normal driving in dry conditions | Sporty driving in dry conditions | Optimized settings for track use (not for street use) | Optimized settings for achieving maximum velocity (not for street use) |
| Stability and Traction Control | Active, cannot be adjusted | Active, but can be adjusted | Active, cannot be adjusted | ||
| Launch Control | Not Available | Available | |||
| Ride Height and Suspension Damping | High with normal damping | High with sport damping | Low with track damping | ||
| Comfort Damping | Available | Not available | |||
| Transmission Calibration | Normal | Sport | |||
| Turbocharger Anti-lag | Inactive | Active | Inactive | ||
| Rear Wing | Active above 90 mph | Active above 70 mph | Always deployed | Does not deploy | |
| Air Brake | Activates above 75 mph with moderate braking | ||||
*Vehicle must be in Park to select this drive mode.
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