2023 Ford GT
Overview
The Ford GT Mk IV hypercar will cease production at the end of the 2023 model year. To pay its respects to this model and its origin story, the automaker is giving it a proper send-off with a nod to the 1967 GT Mk IV race car that won the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans in the hands of Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt. To that end, Ford has blessed the extremely limited model—only 67 hand-built cars will be produced, and they’ll carry a price tag of $1.7 million each—with track-focused improvements. Highlights include an increase in engine displacement, which is expected to net more than 800 horsepower (up from 660 horses), a redesigned body, a longer wheelbase, a new suspension setup, and a racing gearbox. If that sounds like it might be too much for the street, that’s because it is; this GT won’t be street-legal. The only place you’ll be able to drive one is on a race track.
What’s New for 2023?
The 2023 Ford GT will feature extensive changes compared to the 2022 model. The body, chassis, powertrain, and drivetrain have all been reworked.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Only clients approved by Ford will have the opportunity to pay the astronomical price tag. There’s no word yet on options or available liveries, but we’ll update this section with that information once it becomes available.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2023 Ford GT will feature a lot of new hardware compared to the outgoing model. In addition to the beefed-up engine, Ford is mating what it calls a “proper racing gearbox” to the 800-plus horsepower twin-turbo V-6 in place of the regular car’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In addition, the chassis has been stretched and the Multimatic DSSV (Dynamic Spool Valve) dampers have also been upgraded to an ASV (Adaptive Spool Valve) setup. The revised suspension, extended wheelbase, and center-lock wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport racing slicks should make the GT’s increased power output more manageable on the track—which is the only place it can be driven. We can’t say without testing how fast it will be. But for reference, the standard 660-horsepower GT street car was able to blitz to 60 miles per hour in as little as 3 seconds when we tested it for the 2017 model year, posting a quarter-mile time of 10.8 seconds at 134 miles per hour.
Ford
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The outgoing 2022 Ford GT earned an EPA rating of 12 mpg city and 18 highway. Given that the 2023 model won’t be street-legal, we doubt it will receive an EPA rating.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The interior of the current, street-legal GT model is already minimalistic and driver-focused, but we expect the 2023 GT to be even more barebones. It will likely be equipped with all the hardware needed for track duty, including a roll cage, fire suppression system, racing seats, and safety harness. It’s not known whether it will feature air conditioning, which more than a few factory race cars have these days.
Ford
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
While the road-legal 2022 model features a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Ford Sync 3 software, and built-in navigation, we expect the final, track-focused GT to exclude an infotainment system altogether.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Ford GT is a low-volume, ultra-high-performance model, so it won’t be crash-tested by either agency that conducts these evaluations. Likewise, it will likely lack any of the driver-assistance technology that is traditionally cooked into most modern consumer cars. As with any race car, all accident-avoidance responsibility rests with the driver.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
While it’s designed solely for track use, we expect the 2023 Ford GT to have a similar warranty to the outgoing model, which doesn’t cap the mileage on its limited and powertrain coverage during their three-year periods.
Limited warranty covers three years and unlimited miles Powertrain warranty covers three years and unlimited miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
