Rumors / Rumeurs.

[Saint Ho]

RUMORS.

 

This Topic will mainly be devoted to two rumors about the subject that concern us:

• The arrival of a "new" Ford GT.
  
• Ford's return to Le Mans in 2016.

 

 

It is very difficult to know whether to extend credit to a rumor.

Especially since it can be reported by people of good faith, just eager to see their dreams come true.

But they can also be a reality …….Who knows ?

 

The rumor about the arrival of a "new" Ford GT just regain strength.

To show that we should be careful, we will start by showing that circulated about it, there are two years.

A « specialized retailer" stated that he would propose it in his french garage in 2014 ....

Too bad because I found it very desirable.

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RUMEURS.

Ce Topic sera principalement consacré à deux rumeurs qui circulent sur les sujet qui nous concernent :

• L’arrivée d’une « nouvelle » Ford GT.
  
• Le retour de Ford au Mans.

 

Il est très difficile de savoir s’il faut accorder du crédit à une rumeur.

D’autant qu’elles peuvent être rapportées par des gens de bonne foi, tout juste pressés de voir leurs rêves se réaliser.

Mais, elles peuvent aussi révéler une réalité…….Qui sait ?

La rumeur sur l’arrivée d’une « nouvelle » Ford GT vient de reprendre de la vigueur.

Pour montrer qu’il convient d’être prudent, nous allons commencer par montrer ce qui circulait à ce sujet, il y a deux ans.

Un « marchand spécialisé » affirmait qu’il la proposerait dans son Garage français en 2014 ….

Dommage car je la trouvais très désirable.

 

 

On a design from Radovan VARICAK :

 

 

And on a design from Lars SÄLTKER :

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Et sur un dessin de Lars SÄLTKER :

 

 

In the same time, an other rumor, based on a design of Camilo Pardo :

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Au même moment, une autre rumeur basée sur un dessin de Camilo Pardo :

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, in an other News paper :

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Et, dans un autre journal :

 

 

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From the GT FORUM (USA), 04/18/2014 :

 

 

" Ford GT appears as one of the greatest forces ever in motorsport’s history, so there is no wonder Ford decided to give the model a reborn few years ago. But in their hurry, they might not succeed to create a really good car, mostly of the initial customers deciding to sell the car after multiple failures.

But now it would be the time to look at the future for a better supercar that worths more the GT badge. The rumors about a future GT appeared shortly after two Ford GT’s were featured at Le Mans.

Asked if Ford is interested in a successor for the GT, Derrick Kuzak, chief of global product development, stated, after a few moments of awkward silence: ”Well I think there are certain things that we don’t want to talk about in terms of four-year product plans, if that’s okay.” Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, added: “All I know is, if the ground is wet, they don’t let me drive it, that vehicle levitates.”

We know, that didn’t sounds exactly like a confirmation, but there’s no cost to dream about at a maybe possible V8 hybrid Ford GT exotic supercar to come in the nearest future."

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[Saint Ho]

From "MOTOR AUTHORITY" :

More Details On Ford’s Rumored Le Mans Comeback

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran

July 22, 2014 10:00 AM

 

week ago we heard that Ford was looking to return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016 to mark 50 years since its legendary first win at the event with the GT40. While we originally heard that Ford Motor Company [nyse:f] was looking to launch a new GT supercar and compete in Le Mans' GTE category for production-based cars, a new report claims Ford is more likely to compete in the LMP2 category with a new prototype race car.

 

RACER reports that Ford is considering entering not just Le Mans but the full World Endurance Championship with a version of its EcoBoost Daytona Prototype currently competing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. When quizzed on the matter, Ford Racing spokesman Kevin Kennedy neither confirmed nor denied the possibility.

 

A 2016 return would be ideal for history buffs, though a return in 2017 would be a smarter move for Ford as new regulations will see the LMP2 class of the WEC match up with the Prototype class of the USCC.

 

[Saint Ho]

From a US Forum.

Ford Exploring Factory GTE Program, Prototype Options

 

• By John Dagys

 

• Updated: July 14, 2014

 

On the heels of a ramped up prototype program in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship this year, Ford is poised to expand its sports car racing efforts to new heights, which includes a targeted return to the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Multiple industry sources have confirmed to Sportscar365 that the Detroit automaker is evaluating a factory GT program that will see Ford take on the likes Chevrolet, Dodge, Porsche and BMW with an ACO GTE-spec car built around the new-for-2016 regulations.

Considerations are also ongoing for a LMP2 engine supply program utilizing its EcoBoost powerplant currently used in TUDOR Championship DP cars.

It’s believed the GTE project is centered around the latest incarnation of the Ford GT production car, which could launch for the 2016 model year and coincide with the 50th anniversary of Ford’s first overall win at Le Mans.

Ford Racing director Jamie Allison was in Europe this past week and could not be reached for comment. The FIA and ACO held the latest round of GT manufacturer meetings in Paris on Thursday and Friday.

A Ford Racing spokesperson, meanwhile, said they “will not comment on speculation about programs.”

No word has been given on what team would run the GTE operation, although there already has been an active campaign to recruit drivers, both from the U.S. and Europe.

A proposal for a Ford Mustang GTE car, built and developed by Multimatic, was shot down by top-level executives last year but talks have continued for the blue oval to have a significant presence in the production-based class with the yet-to-be-announced model.

It’s unclear what affect, if any, Ford’s potential programs would have on its current factory-backed DP operation in the TUDOR Championship with partner teams Chip Ganassi Racing and Michael Shank Racing, which began this year.

While reports have linked Ford to potential factory Le Mans prototype efforts, Allison had previously told Sportscar365 that “there’s no basis of the rumor for LMP1.”

Factory LMP2 teams, meanwhile, are not allowed in ACO-organized championships, which includes Le Mans.

[Saint Ho]

True or false ???

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Vrai ou faux ???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMvpVR7qT38

[Saint Ho]

Ford revived the rumor by announcing a new performance car for November 17, 2014.

 

MUSTANG GT and Ford GT ??? Journalists do not settle.

For my part, I rather think for a Mustang.

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Ford relance la rumeur en annonçant une nouvelle voiture de performance pour le 17 Novembre 2014.

MUSTANG GT ou Ford GT ??? Les journalistes ne tranchent pas.

Pour ma part, je pense plutôt pour une Mustang.

 

http://youtu.be/CY7xUimBWFo

[Saint Ho]

 

 

(From Chris Paukert).

An anonymous tipster has leaked a map of Ford's display stand plans for next week's Detroit Auto Show, and the schematic contains some interesting details that supports the idea of a Ford GT revival, as well as the presence of the rumored Shelby Mustang GT350R and F-150 SVT Raptor.

The map, used by workers to help erect the Blue Oval's Cobo Hall display, maps out a show with a performance-heavy influence, with a codenamed vehicle, "Phoenix" sitting front and center, flanked by "Hummingbird 2" and "F-150 SVT Raptor Teaser." Our sources within Ford have confirmed that Phoenix is the long-rumored GT successor (a notion furthered by the presence of a pair of historic GT40s shown near the display entrance), and Hummingbird 2 refers to the GT350R (note also that there's a "Mustang Historic" GT350R on its own dais nearby). We've also learned that while the Raptor is labeled "Teaser," our Ford source assures us this is effectively the production truck.

Rumors of a neo Ford GT have been picking up speed for months now, and we've been lead to believe that this new car will have motorsports applications firmly on its mind, but it won't follow in the same retro-steeped design footsteps of its 2005-2006 forbearer.

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TRADUCTION EN Français :

(Article de Chris Paukert, journaliste US spécialisé).

Un informateur anonyme a divulgué un plan du stand de Ford pour le « Detroit Auto Show » de la semaine prochaine.

Ce schéma contient quelques détails intéressants renforçant l'idée d'une renaissance Ford GT, ainsi que la présence d’une Mustang Shelby GT350R et d’un F-150 SVT Raptor.

Le plan utilisé par les installateurs du stand à l'Ovale Bleu, montre un show placé sous le signe de la grande performance.

Un véhicule au nom de code, "Phoenix" en occupe le centre, flanqué de "Hummingbird 2 » et « F 150 SVT Raptor Teaser.

"Nos sources chez Ford ont confirmé que Phoenix est bien le successeur de la GT sur laquelle la rumeur court depuis longtemps.

Cette idée est renforcée par la présence d'une paire de GT40 historiques montrées à l’entrée (Note de Saint Ho : A mon avis, plutôt une GT40 et une GT blanche bandes bleues) et Hummingbird 2 se réfère à la GT350R (note également qu'il y a une "Mustang GT350R historique "sur sa propre estrade à proximité).

Nous avons également appris que, bien que le Raptor est étiqueté « concept », notre source Ford nous assure qu’il s’agit bien du véhicule destiné à la production.

Les rumeurs d'une néo Ford GT se sont renforcées au cours des derniers mois, et nous sommes amenés à croire que cette nouvelle voiture aura des applications dans sport automobile, mais il n’aura pas la mêmes inspiration rétro que celle de la GT de 2005-2006.