Revealed in 2015 as a limited-run production car, the Ford GT has now arrived in SA as part of a private collection making it the sole MY15 Ford GT model available on the African continent.
Owner of Lazarus Ford in Centurion, Colin Lazarus already has a collection of iconic Ford cars such as a 1971 Mustang Mach 1, the 2001 F150 SVT Lightning, a 1965 Ford GT40 MK1 and previous-generation 2005 Ford GT.
“I was incredibly fortunate to be able to get this 2020 Ford GT into the country,” admits Colin Lazarus, “but having the other two GTs proved how passionate and serious I was about these Fords and the bearing they have on Ford’s greatest motorsport achievements. Seeing everybody’s reaction to these three cars is terrific for the brand and illustrates the evolution of technology and performance. I doubt there is another private collection like it anywhere in the world,” says Lazarus.
Powering the new Ford GT is a highly-tuned twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine that gushes out 492 kW and 746 Nm of torque sent to the rear wheels via a dual-clutch auto box. It hurtles from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds before maxing out at 350 km/h.
For enhanced aerodynamics, the Ford GT is equipped with five driving modes that work in tandem with moveable aerodynamics designed to balance downforce against speed. It features a movable rear wing, active cooling ducts and active hydraulic suspension.
The exterior is bolstered with extensive use of carbon fibre which helps shed a bit of weight.
On the inside, it is equipped with Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system as well as multiple digital displays, including a digital instrument cluster. There are cupholders, a hidden storage bin located under the driver’s seat, and storage pockets behind the seats.
According to Doreen Mashinini, the General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa, these three GTs represent the high calibre of performance and design from more than 50 years of racing at such a high level.
“Being in their presence is simply breathtaking mixed with all the nostalgia of those famous wins at Le Mans.”
The Ford GT order includes a carbon fibre box that contains a scale model of the GT with interchangeable wheel designs, paint and other options.