Overview
For anyone who wants to drive a race car that’s legal for road use, just gather up about a half-million dollars and somehow earn the chance to buy a 2022 Ford GT. Its breathtaking bodywork both honors the iconic GT40 race car that dominated Le Mans serves as the pinnacle of the Blue Oval’s design and engineering departments. While the Ford F-150 also has a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6, it sure as hell doesn’t make 660 horsepower and sound like a band of demons at full throttle. When the GT’s gas pedal hits the proverbial metal, it should be on a racetrack—for safety reasons, yes—but also to truly appreciate its relentless acceleration, vivid steering, and indomitable carbon-ceramic brakes. Surprisingly, its race-bred suspension can be adjusted to comfortable levels on regular roads. However, its cockpit is barren to avoid distractions and it’s difficult to enter and exit, so don’t mistake it for a daily driver. Sure, the prohibitively priced Ford GT won’t impress Ferrari and McLaren owners with its raw performance figures, but it’ll shock and awe anyone who’s privileged enough to drive it.
What’s New for 2022?
The 2022 Ford GT is notable because it serves as the last model year of the limited-production road-going race car. As a send-off to the marvelous machine that launched back and to pay further homage to the five original GT prototypes that spawned the Le Man’s winners, Ford introduces the 2022 GT ’64 Prototype Heritage Edition. With a livery meant to mimic the first GT/101 prototype, this special edition wears Wimbledon White paint and a host of Antimatter Blue exterior details. These extend from the racing stripe over the roof to the 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels. Inside, the carbon-fiber seats and sections of the dashboard are covered in Lightspeed Blue microsuede to go along with the same type of material, except in black, on the steering wheel and headliner.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Unlike the supercharged V-8 in the previous-generation GT, the new car is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine that is similar to the one found in the Ford F-150 Raptor. Pumping out 660 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque, the V-6 is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While the last version we tested had a few fewer horses, it still posted supercar-worthy acceleration times. Piloting the GT is surprisingly easy, and the big car feels light and agile from behind the wheel. Despite its performance potential, the ride isn’t as punishing as you might imagine. The suspension rides just short of choppy over minor bumps, but it’ll still transmit some harsh impacts through to the cabin.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The interior is similarly arresting but for a different reason: It’s extremely minimalistic and driver-focused, with almost every control relegated to the race-car-inspired steering wheel. Getting inside is a challenge, but once you’re there, you’ll notice the driver’s seat doesn’t adjust. Instead, Ford engineered the pedals and steering wheel to adjust to the driver’s position in the fixed seat. The gauge cluster looks as if it were taken directly out of the Ford GT race car, and another digital display is inset into the suede-wrapped dashboard and controls the infotainment functions.