Performance Review: Ford GT 5.4 V8 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford GT Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford GT 5.4 V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Ford GT has a 5409cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The GT shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the GT's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1538 kgs (3390 lbs) this makes the Ford GT 5.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford GT shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5409cc 32V V8 engine produces 550 bhp (410 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 500 lb-ft (677.9 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (479 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford GT you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1997 TVR Cerbera 4.5 (381.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford GT.

The Ford GT has a Power to weight ratio of 357.6 bhp per ton and 325.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 GT competing with the 1997 TVR Cerbera 4.5 (381.8 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren (381.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford GT generating around 325.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Caterham 7 Superlight R500 (349.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Mercedes SLS Electric Drive AMG (349.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Ford GT 5.4 V8 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Ford GT 5.4 V8 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the GT and the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR

When talking about the performance of the Ford GT on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.51 secs @ 118.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (11.45 secs), the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 300 (11.45 secs), and the 1999 Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage (11.46 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Ford GT 5.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 190mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 GT equals the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Ford GT 5.4 V8 then how about the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph), the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 RWD (201 mph).

Related Links:

2003 GT Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison