2017 Ford GT: Five Driving Modes to Optimize Performance
As first deliveries of the 2017 GT commence, Ford has detailed the all-new supercar's five driving modes which tune performance and character depending on road and weather conditions. These driving modes can be easily selected with a simple turn of a knob on the steering wheel.
"We focused on simplifying the experience. Optimizing this car for just about any situation was critical, because ensuring owners always enjoy driving it was a top priority," said Derek Bier, Ford GT manager.
The five driving modes are Normal, Wet, Sport, Track and V-Max.
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Normal mode is designed for general or everyday driving on the streets. In this setting, the supercar is at its highest ride height and all aerodynamic elements are stowed. Traction and stability control cannot be adjusted, but the rear wing can be deployed when reaching a speed of 90 miles per hour (mph). The wing can also be deployed when sensors detect aggressive braking. Lastly, Normal mode is available with comfort suspension to soften the impact of bumpy roads.
On the other hand, Wet mode is designed for driving in the elements. Most of the settings are in default apart from throttle control calibration, which can be adjusted to prevent slipping and sliding. This allows greater stability and safety when driving in bad weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Sport mode enables a more spirited driving experience by providing greater utilization of the 2017 Ford GT's twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and anti-lag system, which provides boost on demand.
In this setting, ground clearance is set at 120 mm. There is no comfort feature but AdvanceTrac stability and traction control can be adjusted. Drivers can push the supercar harder by allowing additional slip, yaw and oversteer.
Sport mode is perfectly suitable for the track, especially for instances when a higher ride height is required. However, to get a truly quick and aggressive driving experience while racing, drivers should opt for Track mode.
In Track mode, hardcore settings are activated for race conditions. A turn of the knob activates the hydraulics that lowers ride height by 50 mm. Spring rates are increased and damping becomes firmer. The rear wing also deploys and all aerodynamic openings are closed for maximum downforce. All of these settings are activated in just two seconds.
Lastly, in V-Max mode, every setting is tuned to enable the GT to be as fast as possible. In this setting, transmission is in park and the ride height is similar to Track mode but all aerodynamic elements are stowed. Stability controls are present to allow the supercar to move in a straight line. This driving mode allows the 2017 Ford GT to achieve its top speed of 216 mph.
Only 1,000 examples of the 2017 Ford GT will be produced; specifically, 250 units will be released per year until 2020. The all-new supercar comes with a starting price of $400,000.
