Press Release
Chassis
From the outset, the GR-1 project team intended the concept to perform at supercar levels, but with a more mature feel biased a little more toward driver comfort than the Ford GT ??????????????????????????????????????? widely noted for its balance of dynamics and road manners ??????????????????????????????????????? and last year's Ford Shelby Cobra concept.They started by attaching massive 19-inch wheels and tires using the Ford GT suspension system with a few modifications to accommodate the increased weight of a front-engine setup.
The new Ford GT earns praise for its combination of agility, grip and easy-to-drive character, a reflection of its sophisticated suspension design and the expertise of its chassis engineers. The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept applies the best of the GT suspension to a supercar with different performance intentions.
Sophisticated Suspension
A double-wishbone suspension design with unequal-length aluminum control arms, coil-over monotube shocks and stabilizer bars is used front and rear. The upper control arms are identical at all four wheels and are made with an advanced rheo-cast process that allows the complexity of form associated with casting while retaining the strength of forging. The metal, heated to just below its melting point, is the consistency of butter when it is injected into a mold at high pressure. Pressure is maintained as the part cures, preventing porosity in the final product for exceptional strength.The steering rack also is borrowed from the Ford GT, with a few modifications. The steering, like the Ford GT's, draws on Ford's global driving dynamics DNA introduced with the Ford Focus's industry-leading steering column featuring light efforts, low friction and high stiffness. Braces between the front shock towers and below the isolated engine mounts improve torsional rigidity and aid steering response.
Powertrain
10 Cylinders, 605 Horsepower
The heart of any supercar is its engine, and the Ford Shelby GR-1 concept is no exception.Inspired by the biggest, baddest engine of them all ??????????????????????????????????????? the renowned 427 ??????????????????????????????????????? Ford engineers created a new aluminum-block V-10 to power last year's Ford Shelby Cobra concept. This 6.4-liter engine ??????????????????????????????????????? reprised for service in the GR-1 ??????????????????????????????????????? is adapted from Ford's MOD engine family. It delivers the rush of raw power ??????????????????????????????????????? with 605 horsepower and 501 foot-pounds of torque ??????????????????????????????????????? associated with that big 1960s V-8 powerplant without the aid of supercharging or turbocharging.
This combination of brute force and thorough engineering has created a rarity in the world of auto shows ??????????????????????????????????????? a concept car that can actually do, rather than merely promise, 0-60 in under four seconds, and would easily exceed 200 mph if not electronically limited.
"After I drove last year's Cobra concept, I knew we had a winner in the 6.4-liter V-10," says Carroll Shelby, renowned race driver and consultant on the Ford Shelby GR-1 concept. "We decided to transplant that engine directly into the GR-1 with practically no changes, right down to the rear-mounted transmission, which really helps the weight distribution."
For approximately three years, the Ford powertrain team has been working on an all-aluminum V-10 targeted at ultimate, naturally aspirated performance. When they bolted this modern-day Boss into a Mustang chassis for evaluation, it only took one drive to confirm its potential.
"When we found out there was yet another concept car with the Shelby name on it, we knew it begged for this engine," says Graham Hoare, director, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "Although it's not yet ready for production, we've reached a credible engineering level for such a serious concept car ??????????????????????????????????????? and it has a modern soul that matches the Shelby mission."
Exterior / Interior
- Interior technology focuses on driver comfort, enjoyment and entertainment
- Special attention has been paid to noise reduction in the interior
- Leather trim is in slate gray, with color-matched perforated Alcantara leather featured on touch zones
Interior Focuses on Driver Comfort
Interior cabin technology focuses on driver comfort, enjoyment and entertainment. The instrument panel features a full complement of analog gauges, including a combination analog tachometer with floating watch-like elements and digital speedometer. The tachometer housing has integrated air registers and an additional Noise Reduction Technology (NRT) output speaker.The centrally mounted Tire IQ???????????????????????????????? display is a sophisticated driver's aid designed to inform, warn and entertain. The Tire IQ???????????????????????????????? provides the driver and passenger with an animation of vital tire temperature and pressure statistics via sensors in the tire, along with data on other key vehicle dynamics such as cornering G forces measured through an onboard accelerometer.
The center console features integrated toggles that control the fuel pump, ignition, windows, hood and rear glass release. The racing-inspired pushbutton starter and 'baseball grip' gear knob are situated ahead of the parking brake, which has been incorporated into the tunnel armrest. The quick-release steering wheel has integrated headlamp, wiper and direction indicator controls.
Special attention has been paid to noise reduction in the interior. The rear hatch stowage compartment, features a removable MP3/Amp and NRT console, while audio input, output and recording speakers are integrated into the headrest protection wings on each seat. The speakers can provide a combination of the following:
- Noise Reducing sound waves (NRT) for improved highway cruising noise levels
- Play or record (for playback) pace notes
- MP3 Audio
Throughout the interior, the leather trim is in slate gray, with color-matched perforated Alcantara leather featured on touch zones such as the gear knob, parking brake, steering wheel, door inserts and instrument/Tire IQ???????????????????????????????? binnacles. Functional zones such as dials, door release and center console switchgear have been finished in a combination of anodized gunmetal finishes.
Ambient cabin lighting is neatly packaged behind the central headlining panel, an indirect blue glow appears around the periphery offset of the panel. The headliner and upper doorframes are trimmed with a woven aluminum-metalized fabric that 'lightens' the interior ambiance and heightens the slate gray tones of the leather and Alcantara trim. The dark gunmetal gray flooring is also trimmed in the hard-wearing metalized fabric.
- GR-1 exterior looks like it's in motion, even when standing still
- It has a sinewy, athletic design with a long hood that blends seamlessly into the teardrop-shaped cabin
- Its butterfly doors have distinctive side-glass graphics with integrated door release handles
Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept
The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept has evolved into a fully engineered supercar since its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August. The solid foundation of the Ford GT, transformed first into the underpinnings for the Shelby Cobra concept, is now the heart and soul of the Shelby GR-1 concept. All of the sophisticated mechanicals of this extraordinary coupe are wrapped in a sleek, muscular exterior left raw and polished bright."Racing-inspired and wholly modern in design, this show car builds on the successful relationship with Carroll Shelby and reinforces Ford's ongoing commitment to performance excellence," says J Mays, group vice president of Design and chief creative officer.
