2006 Ford GT Road Test

Test Vehicle: 2006 Ford GT 5.4L V8 with 6-speed Manual Gearbox

I was born in the (cough) mid to late 1960's, and this car was originally conceived around about the same time. The original was called the GT40 because it was 40 inches tall. This new one is a full 5% taller...

Most exotic cars are low to the ground. This one is almost wing like. I didn't think I was going to fit to be honest. I can't imagine losing that extra 5%.

The design itself hasn't changed too much other than a little bit of modernizing from the Ford design team. The old GT40 was iconic and this one really sets the right tone from the start, from the white and blue paint job, to the swing out doors that meet in the middle of the roof. I'm not as much of a fan of it as the more modern looking exotics, but it certainly has presence, and I really love the look of the back of the car for reasons that I can't really explain.

Getting in was, as expected, interesting. I had to basically duck to close the door for fear of losing my scalp, but when the door is closed, there's an indent in the roof that gives you enough room. If Jeremy Clarkson can fit in it, I should be able to as he's about 4 inches taller than me (and several pounds heavier as well I might add).

In my mind, this is not meant to be a competitor to any of the modern super cars really, it's just a reimagining of the original, to give the old GT40 fans something to drive now as the older ones are all snapped up in collections.

The interior itself is a little claustraphobic with the rollbar basically in my forehead, but the dash is pretty cool. The speedo is way over to the right. You don't need to look at that. The rev counter is in front of you, and the steering wheel is pretty much under your chin. The toggle switches on the dash are very cool too, but the most interesting thing about the interior is the gear lever which protrudes out of the enormous center tunnel almost sideways at you.

As for the seats, well, I've sat on more comfortable park benches than these. I couldn't find my position in them at all, and they were covered in some kind of vinyl and micron thin padding. Seats. Fail.

There's no fancy e-gear or tiptronic or traction control for that matter in this. It reminded me of the old TVR Tuscan with its level of sophistication, but the metal ball gear level fits perfectly in your hand and the three pedal layout lets you know that this car needs to be driven.

A prod of the start button let the V8 behind my head rumble into life. Its a totally different noise than the Italian sports cars. It's letting you know, loud and clear, that its got more torque than you'll ever need, and if you hit the gas, regardless of the gear you are in, its got plenty in reserve. There's no replacement for displacement as the saying goes, and there's 5.4 liters of good old American iron ready to move this thing.

It was surprisingly easy to drive. The clutch wasn't heavy once I discovered the bite point, which was about 2mm from the top of the pedal, and the brakes were as good as you would expect. Mash middle pedal and hold on to teeth. Pretty good.

The gear change was pretty nice. You had to push the lever into the gear you want with some force, but it wasn't as agricultural as the TVR's, and after spending too much time with twin clutch, semi auto, paddle flapping boxes, this was a very pleasant change to get back to physically driving a car with a ton of oomph behind you.

But this is bare bones motoring when compared to the euro stars. Made from girders and welded together by men in tattoos smoking cigarettes by the packet, with no real feeling of delicacy about it. Press the throttle and the rumble of the V8 was solidly behind your head held into place by huge bolts I'm sure. The car had gobs of torque and no roll or anything going through corners, and brakes that worked like steam ship anchors.

It was a nice way to look at how things used to be. A step into the way back machine when brute force and not a lot else was used to propel these things round Le Mans. I honestly can't even imagine trying to drive this for a 2 hour stint at speeds of up to 180mph. It would wear me out beyond belief, but if the original GT40 felt anything like as solid as this, it's no wonder it got around Le Mans for 24 hours. The Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the world feel fragile compared to this. Even more ironic as Lamborghini makes tractors...

Unfortunately, the heavens opened, and the fun on the GT was rationed due to the lack of traction control, but it was good to drive it and find out what the fuss was about.

2006 Ford GT Specifications

Base Price: $149,995

Body: 2-door CoupeMechanical Orientation: Rear Wheel Drive

Engine: 5.4L Modular V8Power: 550 bhpTorque: 500 lb.ftTransmission: 6-speed manual

Weight: 1500 kg (3400 lb)Wheelbase: 2710 mm (106.7 in)Length: 4640mm (182.8 in)Width: 1950mm (76.9 in)Luggage Capacity: ha, ha, good one....

0-62 mph (100 km/h): 3.4 secondsTop Speed: 205 mph (330 km/h)

For: Nostalgia and brute forceAgainst: Not even close to the offerings from Italy or GermanyConclusion: If you loved the old one, you will love the new one. I wasn't a fan of the old one...

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