When did the Ford GT get a V6?
In brief: the original Ford GT used a V8; a V6 appeared with the modern revival for the 2017 model year, powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6.
Engine history in two generations
The Ford GT has two distinct generations with different powertrains. The first generation, built for 2005–2006, relied on Ford's V8 power. The second generation, introduced as a modern revival in the mid-2010s, switched to a turbocharged V6 to match contemporary performance and efficiency targets.
- First-generation Ford GT (2005–2006): 5.4-liter supercharged V8
- Second-generation Ford GT (2016/2017 onward): 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6
These are the core differences in engine layout between the two eras. The V6 was not available in the original run and appears only in the modern revival.
Details about the V6-powered revival
Ford's decision to adopt a V6 came with the 2017 production version of the new Ford GT. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivers roughly 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque, routed through a seven-speed dual-clutch or sequential transmission depending on configuration. The engine was engineered to balance mid-rear weight distribution, advanced aerodynamics, and race-bred performance for road use and track work.
Timeline highlights
Key moments in the V6 transition and Ford GT timeline help place the change in context:
- 2015: Ford officially reveals the second-generation Ford GT concept and confirms it will use a turbocharged EcoBoost V6 for the road-going model.
- 2016: Production of the new Ford GT begins for the 2017 model year; the car is officially launched with the EcoBoost V6 engine.
- 2017: Official horsepower is published at 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque for the EcoBoost V6-powered Ford GT; track variants and limited editions follow in subsequent years.
The move to a V6 aligns Ford with a broader trend among exotic and supercar makers toward mid-mounted turbocharged V6 engines that combine high power with weight efficiency and modern emission targets.
Context and comparisons
For fans and collectors, the V6 version represents a distinct era from the original Ford GT, which was built as a modern homage to the Ford GT40 race cars of the 1960s. The V8 that powered the 2005–2006 GT was a Ford modular V8 family member tuned for high-performance street use, while the EcoBoost V6 in the 2017 redesign leverages turbocharging and lightweight design to achieve performance targets in a different regulatory and market environment.
The Ford GT's identity thus spans two engine eras: a V8 heritage in the first run and a V6-infused revival that began in the late 2010s. As of 2025, the V6 remains the engine powering the modern Ford GT, with performance variants and track-only versions exploring further optimization on that platform.
Summary
The Ford GT first appeared with a V8, and a V6 did not come until the modern revival began with the 2017 model year, featuring a 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6. This shift reflects Ford's strategy to combine contemporary turbocharged performance with the car's lightweight, aerodynamic design.
Conclusion: If you’re asking when the Ford GT "got a V6," the answer is that the V6 debuted with the 2017 model year (unveiled in 2015), on the second-generation Ford GT, while the original 2005–2006 car used a V8. The two generations share a common name but different powertrains and eras.
Did the Ford GT ever have a V6?
Period, as they say. But with the new GT, Ford had the guts to ditch the V8 that had blessed the GT40 and GT for nearly 60 years in favour of a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine. If that wasn't bad enough, they paired the EcoBoost with an automatic (ok, dual-clutch) gearbox!
Why did Ford use a V6 in the GT?
The Ford GT has a V6 because it is lighter, shorter, and more aerodynamically efficient than a V8, allowing for better performance and packaging within the car's design. The twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine provides comparable or even greater power and torque than a traditional V8 while also meeting modern Emissions standards and competition requirements.
Aerodynamics and packaging
- Smaller size: A V6 is shorter than a V8, allowing engineers more freedom to design a more aerodynamically optimized body without a large engine encroaching on space.
- Weight distribution: The shorter engine makes it easier to position the engine further back in the chassis, which helps improve the car's weight balance and handling.
Performance
- Power and torque: The EcoBoost V6 engine is powerful, producing over 600 horsepower and more than 550 lb-ft of torque, which is a benchmark for turbocharged V6 engines.
- Efficiency: The V6 is more fuel-efficient than a larger-displacement engine, a key factor as global emissions regulations have become stricter.
Engineering and cost
- Leveraging existing technology: Ford used a version of its EcoBoost V6, which was already in production, to avoid the high cost of developing a completely new V8 engine from scratch for the GT.
- Demonstrating capability: Using the V6 engine proved that a smaller displacement engine could still be a high-performance option, and it was also used in the winning Ford GT race cars at Le Mans.
Why didn't the Ford GT have a V8?
Has a V6 in 2004 Ford released the next generation. Of the Ford GT with a 5.4 liter V8. However when this American-made. Supercar was ready for a new generation in 2016.
Is there a V6 Mustang GT?
No, a Mustang GT is not a V6; a GT is equipped with a V8 engine, while the V6 was a separate, less powerful engine option that was discontinued after the 2017 model year. The GT is known for its higher horsepower, louder exhaust, and performance-oriented V8 engine, while the V6 was marketed as a more fuel-efficient and quieter option.
You can watch this video to learn more about the differences between the Mustang GT and V6: 58sDerekBaranProductionsYouTube · May 8, 2020
- Mustang GT: Features a V8 engine, traditionally a 5.0L, providing more horsepower and torque for performance enthusiasts.
- Mustang V6: Used a V6 engine, which was discontinued after 2017. It was positioned as a more fuel-efficient and less expensive option compared to the V8.
- Current Models: Starting in 2018, the Mustang's engine options are the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and the 5.0L V8.
