Special ONES - There’s a certain thrill in looking back at moments when the automotive world dared to imagine far beyond what the road seemed ready for. The mid-1990s, a period bursting with technological optimism, gave rise to one of Ford’s boldest experiments—a concept car that didn’t just hint at the future but looked as though it had arrived early. From this atmosphere of ambition emerged the Ford GT90, a machine designed to bridge the legendary past of the GT40 with a vision of tomorrow’s performance and innovation.
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| The magnificent creation of the Ford GT90 earned the title of "world's mightiest supercar" due to its cutting-edge technology and unmatched capabilities of the time. (Picture from: ConceptCarz) |
Ford introduced the GT90 to the world at the 1995 Detroit Auto Show, immediately positioning it as the most powerful supercar of its time. Yet the GT90 was more than a showcase of force; it was crafted as the spiritual successor to the dominant GT40 of the 1960s. Beyond heritage, Ford used the GT90 as a test bed for advanced engineering, design studies, and driver-focused technologies intended for future models. It embodied both respect for tradition and a willingness to push boundaries.
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| The Ford GT90 was not merely a concept car; it was envisioned as the spiritual heir to the iconic Ford GT40. (Picture from: ConceptCarz) |
A key element of the GT90’s significance was its pioneering adoption of the “New Edge” design philosophy. This approach favored sharp intersections, triangular surfaces, and defined geometry—styling choices that later appeared on mainstream Ford models including the Focus, Mustang, and Falcon. In shaping later production vehicles, the GT90 became one of Ford’s most influential concept cars, proving that design experiments could ripple through an entire brand’s evolution.
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| The Ford GT90 dazzled in a striking bright white hue, featured with a forward-positioned cabin with a short hood, complemented by a lengthy 2,946 mm wheelbase. (Picture from: ConceptCarz) |
Behind its creation was a small, high-intensity team from Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT). They were given just six months to produce a fully realized hypercar, an astonishingly tight schedule that required creative solutions. One such solution was sourcing components from Jaguar, then part of the Ford family. This approach kept development efficient and cost-effective, though the finished prototype still represented approximately three million dollars’ worth of resources and engineering. Speed and ingenuity became the hallmarks of its development.
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| The Ford GT90 cabin dominated with a vibrant bright blue theme, tastefully blending leather and suede, paired with an aluminum linkage connected to the center console, exuded a sporty and elegant vibe. (Picture from: ConceptCarz) |
Externally, the GT90 embraced an unmistakably futuristic presence. Its bright white carbon-fiber body panels, combined with an aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis, reflected cutting-edge construction for its era. The cabin was pushed far forward, supported by a long 2,946 mm wheelbase and a short hood, giving it a stance both aggressive and technical. Electronically operated doors added a touch of theater, while the interior surprised many with its generous space—unusual among 1990s supercars. A bright blue theme dominated the cabin, blending leather and suede with silver accents, a carbon-fiber center console, an aluminum open-gated shifter, and a custom instrument layout that included a distinctive yellow triangle on the steering wheel.
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| The Ford GT90 powered by a monstrous 6,000cc 12-cylinder V12 engine, a fusion of two Lincoln V8 engines, coupled with four Garrett Systems T2 turbo units. (Picture from: ConceptCarz) |
Its performance figures remain astonishing even by modern standards. Ford engineered a 6.0-liter V12 by merging two Lincoln V8s, then pushed the formula further with four Garrett T2 turbochargers. The result was 720 horsepower and 895 Nm of torque fed to the rear wheels through a five-speed FFD-Ricardo manual gearbox sourced from the Jaguar XJ220. That powertrain propelled the GT90 to a top speed of 407 km/h and enabled a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 3.1 seconds. To cope with this immense capability, Ford fitted a double-wishbone suspension system also derived from the XJ220, enhancing stability at extreme speeds.
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| Despite the Ford GT90's awe-inspiring concept and its suitability as a successor to the Ford GT40, Ford made a surprising decision not to put it into production. (Picture from: ConceptCarz) |
The lone GT90 prototype slipped into near-mythical status, resurfacing only occasionally—most notably at an RM Auction event in 2009, where it rekindled admiration among collectors and enthusiasts. Even without a production run, the GT90 continues to occupy a powerful place in automotive history as a symbol of Ford’s willingness to explore the far edges of design and performance, revealing what can happen when imagination is allowed to run at full speed. *** [EKA [20092023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HEMMINGS | CONCEPTCARZ | ROAD&TRACK | DRIVINGLINE | WIKIPEDIA ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone
