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FORD PERFORMANCE ANNOUNCES GT SUPERCAR UPGRADES, NEW SPECIAL EDITION DURING CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


FORD PERFORMANCE ANNOUNCES GT SUPERCAR UPGRADES, NEW SPECIAL EDITION DURING CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2020) – Ford Performance announced upgrades to the 2020 Ford GT supercar during the 2020 Chicago Auto Show including increased engine power to 660 horsepower and improved cooling. Additionally, Ford pulled the sheet off of a new special edition, the Ford GT Liquid Carbon, which places an emphasis on GT's lightweight sculpted carbon fiber body completely free of paint color. A special clearcoat punctuates each GT's unique carbon fiber weave in this limited-edition appearance option.

Dave Pericak, director of Ford Icons, said "Why did we introduce this vehicle here in Chicago? Because the Chicago Auto Show is a big auto show; it's one that we're dedicated to and it's an important one for us especially due to the consumer presence so we thought it was extremely important to let everyone know what's going on when it comes to the Ford GT supercar."
 
The Ford GT Liquid Carbon features carbon fiber wheels as standard equipment. Owners can choose titanium lugnuts, six-point racing harness anchors, five interior options and five caliper colors. Further personalization is available through two over-the-top stripe options - the dual center stripes offered on the standard Ford GT or the single stripe found on the Carbon Series as well as optional painted mirror caps. Stripes and mirror caps are available in any of the seven standard paint colors as well as the extended color palette. For the first time, these features can be ordered independently of one another.

"Ford GT continues to be the pinnacle of Ford performance," said Ed Krenz, Ford Performance chief program engineer. "GT is always the ultimate expression of Ford racing innovation, and as we know from the 1966 Le Mans through today, that means constantly raising our game for our customers as well as earning the checkered flag."

Beyond 13 additional horsepower compared to 2017-19 GT supercars, the 2020 GT's EcoBoost engine features a broader torque band and revised engine calibration plus mechanical upgrades that include gallery-cooled pistons and higher-energy ignition coils, thanks to lessons learned from the limited-edition, track-only GT Mk II.

Additional engine cooling and airflow updates includes new buttress air ducts designed to increase air flow by 50 percent while larger intercoolers keep charge air temperatures cooler, preserving peak power for the most strenuous, high-temperature sessions at the track. Suspension damping is increased in track mode to further enhance handling and body control, particularly for those high-speed transient sections of closed-course circuits.

Ford Performance is also introducing the premium Akrapovic titanium exhaust as standard equipment for GT. Boasting the signature craftsmanship of these renowned race experts, this exhaust provides a nine-pound weight savings over the previous system while featuring that deeply resonant, unmistakable sound emanating from the more powerful EcoBoost engine.

Ford Performance is also updating GT's iconic heritage livery with a new design that includes a black pinstripe to divide the distinct blue and orange colors, recalling the 1968-69 Le Mans-winning GT40. The optional carbon fiber number switches from 9 on the 2019 model to 6 for 2020, matching that of the historic back-to-back winning car, chassis No. 1075. For the first time on a heritage model, carbon fiber wheels are available in lieu of aluminum alloy.

Deliveries of the upgraded 2020 Ford GT are ongoing, with production wrapping up in 2022.  

For more information on the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com. For high resolution photos and b-roll, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com/media/online-newsroom-gallery.

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About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2020 public show is Feb. 8-17. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is one of the nation’s largest metropolitan dealer organizations. It is comprised of more than 420 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group’s dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit www.CATA.info.

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