Futuristic Ford GT90 Concept Is Actually 25 Years Old
Ford GT90 is a quad-turbo, mid-engine supercar dream machine from 1995. Yet, it somehow looks brand new.
We’re positive we don’t have to inform you about the Ford GT40. That is, the Le Mans dominating middle-finger to Enzo Ferrari in the 1960s. That’s a story everyone is familiar with. Furthermore, we don’t think it’s necessary to give you all the details on the 2005 Ford GT commemorating its 40th anniversary. Certainly, we don’t have to tell you about the newest Ford GT. However, one that not many are aware of is the stepping stone between all of them—the Ford GT90. The likely reason most are not familiar is that it is a one-off concept car. It is, however, very real indeed.
Getting a chance to see the GT90 is not a common occurrence, so we owe it all to Zach Brehl. He’s a photographer who recently got the chance to shoot the GT90 and posted photo sets on his Instagram account.
What’s Under the Hood?
Nothing, actually. Just like its predecessors and successors, this is a mid-engine car. Furthermore, also like its relatives, it is rear-wheel drive. Save for the 2017 and newer Ford GTs; this also has a manual transmission in common with its relatives. It does, however, pack a bit of a unique punch compared to even the likes of the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 of the 2005 GT or the twin-turbo V6 of the current GT.
In fact, the easiest way to blow your mind with what powers this vehicle is to simply multiply the specs of the current GT’s powerplant by two. Seriously. A quad-turbocharged V12 engine powers the Ford GT90. If that sounds ridiculous, it’s because it is! Equally mind-blowing is the 720 horsepower this engine produces. Ford alleged that it was capable of 0-60 in just 3.1 seconds. Furthermore, they claimed it would happily chirp along to a top speed of over 250 miles per hour.
Remarkably timeless
Though this car is over 25 years old now, we can’t help but think that if it rolled out cloaked as a concept car Ford had just finished yesterday, nobody would doubt it for a second. Even the interior looks remarkably modern, save for the very 90s Ford steering wheel and incredibly bold color choice.
Otherwise, it looks remarkably new. It is built on a modified Jaguar XJ220 chassis and, in comparison to an XJ220, looks decades newer.
This very car was once driven on track at Le Mans by Jeremy Clarkson in an old episode of Top Gear. When behind the wheel, Clarkson said, “Heaven really is a place on earth.” We can hardly think of a better way to describe a Ford supercar with a manual transmission and power figures that are still insane even by today’s standards.
The GT90 was set to sell at auction in Arizona in 2009 but was pulled just before the event. Now, the GT90 rests at the Hajek Motorsports Museum in Ames, Oklahoma. So, if you’re ever passing through, take some time to stop and see this unfathomable part of Ford and automotive history.
Photos: Instagram/Zach Brehl
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