Ford is starting a lag behind sports vehicles that compete with any peer-to-peer rival. The last presented was the Shelby GR-1 concept. The new concept features technological innovations and super sports performance.
Both the Ford GT and the Ford Shelby Cobra concept started a lag behind sports cars that caused a sensation at the latest editions of the North American International Auto Show.
Ford's vice president of global design, J. Mays, said “the Shelby Cobra concept was a small step in our Ford GT design plans and the relationship with Carrolll Shelby.” He added that “the GR-1 concept is a huge leap into the future.” Ford's design team was under great pressure to develop another high level show car and popular acceptance.
Based on the chassis architecture of the Ford GT, the new Shelby GR-1 concept is a supercar two-seater front engine. It combines the appearance of old racing coupes like the Cobra Daytona, with a contemporary design characterized by voluptuous surfaces and a well-achieved fastback style.
The fastback design is the continuation of the lowered roof until the end of the car, that is, a trunk is not clearly distinguished. The proportions of the car give it a very dynamic character: a huge hood and a small cabin. It is very low and its width of more than 1.8 meters seems even greater due to the bulky mudguards.
Of course, the spirit of every sport lies also in the engine. The Shelby GR-1 uses a brand new aluminum block V10 recently developed by Ford. The same one used in the Shelby Cobra concept.
The new 6,400 cm3 V10 delivers 605 HP 6750 RPM power and a maximum torque of 501 lbs ft at 5550 RPM. Gross power is the result of a painstaking design process. This allows the GR-1 to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4 seconds and pass 320 km/h if not limited electronically.
Power is transmitted through the same six-speed gearbox as the Ford GT. It is located on the back, for better weight distribution and not excessively reduce the space for passengers' feet.
The Brembo brake system also comes as a courtesy of the GT. It has aluminum single-piece jaws and four pistons. Uses perforated ventilated discs to stop the wheels, which fit 19-inch BBS tires on Goodyear 275/40R -19 front and 345/35R -19 rear tires.
To access the interior, the butterfly doors have to be opened with small, elongated windows. Inside we see details that are nothing but inspiration in racing cars. The seats are actually carbon fiber shells like in racing cars.
To house pilot and passenger, they have removable Alcantara inserts made to measure the subject. The panel houses analog and digital instruments. Slate grey leather has been used on the panels and in contact areas such as the shift lever and handbrake handle.
Ford's ultimate satisfaction lies in the high level of finishing the Shelby GR-1. In all development, fireproof is the manufacture and proper operation of everything designed on the computer.
All CAD systems are available, but it will not be as significant until the product is built as planned and meets the required specifications. The team dedicated to the construction of the Shelby GR-1 concept is worthy of recognition for the level of nefness achieved in this show car.
After several days of testing on the track, the team evaluated aspects of construction and dynamics of the vehicle. When asked about the results, no one hesitated to say it was a success. They claimed they achieved a prototype that is much closer to production than any other concept presented by Ford.
Rims diameter: 19”
Weight: 1769 kg.
© Adrián Blanco 2005 — Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —