NEWS: Ford GT to be Sold in Canada

With files from Ford of Canada

TORONTO, ON – For the first time, the Ford GT supercar will be available for sale in Canada, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., announced today. Race fans can catch their first glimpse of the incredible 550-horsepower Ford GT in action at the Canadian Champ Car World Series races in Toronto (July 10), Edmonton (July 17) and Montréal (August 28).

Ford of Canada will offer 200 unique, limited production Canadian cars for sale during the 2006 model year after working with Markham, Ont.-based automotive supplier Multimatic Inc. to customize the vehicle to Canadian standards.

“Multimatic is extremely pleased to be working with Ford of Canada to bring one of the world’s best supercars to Canadians. Having worked with Ford on the original development of the Ford GT concept vehicles, it is great to see that our partnership will bring this exclusive car to Canada,” said Hao Wang, assistant general manager, Multimatic Technical Centre. Multimatic supplies components, systems and engineering services to the global automotive industry and has operating divisions in North America and Europe with partners in Asia, South America and Australia.

The Ford GT motor, based on the largest V-8 in Ford’s modular engine family, features 85 per cent new moving parts and produces 550 horsepower and 500 feet-pound of torque.

The 5.4-litre powerplant is all-aluminum and fed by an Eaton screw-type supercharger. It features 4-valve cylinder heads and forged components, including the crankshaft, H-beam connecting rods and aluminum pistons. Power is put to the road through a Ricardo six-speed manual transaxle featuring a helical limited-slip differential.

Major features on the GT include Brembo monoblock brake calipers; one-piece BBS wheels 46 cm (18-inch) front, 48 cm (19-inch) rear; Goodyear Eagle F1 supercar tires; carbon-fibre bucket seats with ventilated leather seating surfaces; 6-speed manual transmission; AM/FM stereo with CD; bi-xenon headlamps; fog lamps; driver and passenger front air bags; ABS; leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel; passive anti-theft system; power exterior mirrors, windows and door locks; air conditioning; remote keyless entry and rear window defroster.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but don’t expect much change from $300,000 after taxes.