When the Ford GT launched back in 2005, it did so with a supercharged, all-aluminum 5.4L V8 from the Ford modular engine family. With a forged rotating assembly, dry sump oiling system, dual overhead cam, and four-valves-per-cylinder heads, the strong eight produced 550 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque, which was enough to propel the car from zero to 60 miles-per-hour in just 3.3 seconds on its way to a 205 mile-per-hour top speed. Absolutely no one in history has ever complained about this powerplant. But as it turns out, that engine was essentially a backup plan.
This revelation comes to us from an interview with Camilo Pardo, chief designer of the 2005 Ford GT program, conducted by Hot Rod. Apparently, both John Coletti, Ford’s chief engineer and head of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT), and Carroll Shelby wanted the car to have a V10. Problem was, developing a V10 for the Ford GT would have simply taken too long.
Bill Ford wanted the Ford GT to be ready for Ford’s centennial celebration, which gave designers and product managers just 15 months to take the car from concept to production. And there were a number of challenges in that process, including aerodynamic issues that rendered the concept unstable at speed.
So Ford decided to get a jump start on the powertrain development for the Ford GT by looking to its existing parts bin. “The decision was to take the best engine that Ford had, reproduce it in aluminum, and then put a supercharger on it,” Pardo said.
The designers also wisely decided to show off the car’s powerplant, a decision that was made easy because the team was actually involved in the layout of the engine bay. “The engine and all components were going to be visible through the back window with the clamshell opened. It was important that I worked with the engineers, and we found the best opportunities to make that engine compartment look beautiful,” Pardo said.
Meanwhile, the second-gen Ford GT proved to be quite controversial when it debuted with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6, but no one ever batted an eye at the original’s V8. To us at least, V8 power seems like a natural fit for the first-gen GT, but we can see why those involved wanted to go with a V10 originally. After all, The Blue Oval was determined to make the GT the ultimate supercar. Thankfully, the 5.4L V8 mill proved to be more than sufficient at accomplishing that task.
We’ll have more on the fascinating story behind the first-gen Ford GT – which was initially planned to be called GT40, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford GT News and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Everything happens for a reason, History will show the 5.4 SuperChargered V8 was the right choice all alone. Great engine
Pardo is completely distorting the history of the Ford GT development history.
As the Program Director, I can tell you that most of what Camilo has said is pure fabrication.
Just a couple of points:
– Carroll Shelby was never involved in the engine decision for the car.
– I never supported the V10, and I insisted on the 5.4L V8 – 4V Supercharged engine right from the start.
– The biggest reason we didn’t go with the GT40 name, was because the car was 45.5 inches tall and everyone knows the “40” referred to the height of the original race car in the 1960’s.
– Camilo’s claim of 15 month development is flat out wrong. From program approval to first customer delivery was 26 months…and that is a fact.
– Someone should ask Camilo to show you his original design for the new car. It looked liked an upside down bathtub, and we got so pissed that we got Jac Nasser involved and forced him and J. Mays to make the design look just like the original GT40.
– I could go on and on with all of Camilo’s distortions, but what’s the point.
I suggest you stop posting these comments by Camilo.
Maybe you’ve gotten the memo? We’re suppose to listen and learn.
We’re not capable of deciphering truth for ourselves!
We’re to surrender to an orthodoxy of self bigotry!
For thought. Nothing personal against you or the author here.
A stunning machine then, now and always!
was there ever a GT 40 ever built with a V10 engine