Wind Speed
Ford puts the Ford GT’s bodacious body to the wind-tunnel test
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
There is no doubt that the Ford GT is a beautiful automobile. And, based on its on-track success, it seems that function definitely follows form on this EcoBoost-powered supercar. However, to ensure it’s not just a pretty face, Ford engineers test every aspect of the car—including its aerodynamics.
“One of the great things about this car, as dynamic and beautiful as the design is, every single opening has a purpose on the car. So If you see a large grille, if you see a scoop, it’s wasn’t just put there to look good,” Ford engineering supervisor Nick Terzes said. “It was put there because it has a function.”
To ensure that even its beautiful bodylines—including its active rear wing—are as functional as they are striking, the company puts the car to the test inside its wind tunnel in Allen Park, Michigan. You can get a peek at some of that testing right here…
[video=youtube;OY1_HRSzx8U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY1_HRSzx8U[/video]
In this clip Ford Performance engineers put the supercar to the test several times using computer-aided simulation models combined with actual wind-tunnel data generated from airspeeds that reach nearly 125 miles per hour.
“The prime reason we come to the tunnel is to get the actual physical data on the vehicle,” Nick explained. “We’ll look at interior wind-noise acoustics, and the aerodynamics of the vehicle.”
Since the GT is being developed on such a tight deadline, these tests are often conducted during off hours. This video captured some testing at 2 a.m. on a Monday, which shows you just how dedicated the people that bring these cars to life are.
“Being the GT program, we effectively test 24/7,” he added. “In the end, all these late hours, all these weekends that we work, are absolutely worth it to be a part of a program like this, and to create the ultimate GT.”
To ensure the Ford GT’s aerodynamics are as effective as they look, engineers test the car whenever they can squeeze in time at the company’s wind tunnel facilities in Allen Park, Michigan.
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