Ford GT supercar power and performance specs confirmed

Performance figures for Ford's GT hero model – which will not have an Australian release – show that its EcoBoost powerplant is capable of taking it to the McLaren 675LT and Ferrari 488 GTB, despite its smaller capacity and cylinder count.

The GT is Ford's most powerful production car yet, sporting outputs of 482kW of power and 746Nm of torque from its 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, which helps it reach an intimidating top speed of 346km/h.

It faces stiff competition from Ferrari’s 492kW/760Nm 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8-powered 488 GTB, and McLaren's 675LT whose 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 offers 497kW/700Nm. 

The Blue Oval's supercar also joins the ranks of another twin-turbo V6-boosted rival, Nissan's 3.8-litre GT-R, which develops 419kW/628Nm. 

A trip to Canada's Calabogie Motorsports Park racing circuit in 2016 saw the lap times of the Ford, Ferrari and McLaren sportscars compared during the GT's development phase.

The Ford GT is all about performance

Identical vehicle settings, weather conditions and race driver saw the GT emerge with quickest lap time of 2 minutes 9.8 seconds, despatching of the McLaren (2m 10.8s) and Ferrari (2m 12.9s).

Zero to 100km/h times for the GT are yet to be released by Ford, but it is likely to complete the triple figure sprint in the sub-three second range just like its Italian and British counterparts.

A 1385kg dry weight – which helps contribute to the Ford supercar's performance – is thanks to the vehicle's use of lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium in its construction.

Carbon-fibre wheels supplied by Geelong-based Carbon Revolution also help remove another 900 grams per corner when optioned.

Ford executive vice president, global product development and chief technical officer Raj Nair said this application of weight-saving materials was a contributing factor to the heightened levels of performance produced by the GT.

Photo shows the 2015 Ford GT supercar. (Photo: Supplied)

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Photo shows the 2015 Ford GT supercar. (Photo: Supplied)

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Photo shows the 2015 Ford GT supercar. (Photo: Supplied)

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Photo shows the 2015 Ford GT supercar. (Photo: Supplied)

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Photo shows the 2015 Ford GT supercar. (Photo: Supplied)

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Photo shows the 2015 Ford GT supercar. (Photo: Supplied)

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“The Ford GT is all about performance,” he said. “We achieved considerable weight savings with the carbon-fibre architecture. We then reinvested some of that savings into where it counts most – performance, specifically, the active dynamics. The result is an even faster car.”

Ford designed the supercar to achieve optimal downforce, drag and balance at any speed as part of its focus on maximising its aerodynamic capabilities.

Production has begun for the Ford GT – which will be built in Ontario, Canada – and will see only 250 units produced per year, for a total of 1000 examples after the four-year production run ends.

The first 750 Ford GTs are believed to already be spoken for, with customers having to apply to the American manufacturer to be gifted ownership.

While pricing remains a mystery, estimates suggest a figure of $US450,000 ($A597,150) is likely, which sees the GT join the esteemed company of luxury European vehicles like the Rolls Royce Wraith and Aston Martin Vanquish Volante price-wise.

How does American muscle compare to European exotica in your estimates? Tell us in the comments below.