Has the Ford GT ever had a V-8?
The Ford GT lineage has indeed used V-8 engines across several generations, most notably in the GT40 racing cars of the 1960s and the 2005–2006 road car. The latest Ford GT, introduced in 2016, relies on a V-6 EcoBoost powertrain rather than a V-8.
A look back at the GT's V-8 heritage
The following overview summarizes the key moments when the Ford GT family deployed V-8 engines, illustrating how the marque’s performance philosophy evolved over decades.
- GT40 (1964–1966): mid-mounted 4.7 L V8 (289 cu in) powering the early race cars as Ford pursued Le Mans glory.
- GT40 Mk II (1965–1966): upgraded to a 7.0 L (427 cu in) V8 with a side-oiler design, the powerplant that helped win Le Mans in 1966.
- Ford GT (2005–2006): road-going revival that used a 5.4 L supercharged V8, delivering roughly 550 horsepower for high-speed performance on public roads and show circuits.
The GT40 era cemented Ford’s V-8 heritage in the GT line, while the 2005–2006 revival reaffirmed the V-8 identity in the road-going segment. In contrast, the modern GT introduced in 2016 moved away from V-8 power to a different architectural approach.
The modern Ford GT: V-6 power in a contemporary supercar
Since its revival in 2016, the Ford GT has been powered by a different engine configuration designed to maximize efficiency, mid-engine balance, and aerodynamics for track-focused performance.
- 3.5 L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6: the current Ford GT’s engine, producing approximately 647 horsepower, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle and a focus on high-Δtuning and lightweight construction.
That shift from V-8 to a V-6 marks a notable pivot in Ford’s engineering strategy for the GT, prioritizing advanced turbocharged efficiency and compact packaging while maintaining extreme performance credentials.
Design and performance implications
The move from V-8 to a V-6 EcoBoost in the modern GT reflects broader industry trends toward downsized, turbocharged powerplants that deliver high specific output with improved efficiency and emissions profiles. Nonetheless, the Ford GT’s V-8 legacy remains a defining chapter of its racing heritage and early road-car storytelling.
Summary
Yes — the Ford GT has had V-8 engines in its history, most prominently in the GT40 race cars of the 1960s and the 2005–2006 road car. The contemporary Ford GT (from 2016 onward) uses a V-6 EcoBoost powertrain, signaling a return to modern design priorities while preserving the model’s reputation for high-performance engineering. The GT’s V-8 legacy live on in its historical milestones and in the memories of Ford’s racing heritage.
