All posts in “Ford Shelby GR-1”

Superformance Might Use the GT500’s Supercharged V8 in the Shelby GR-1

Superformance, Supercharged, Superfast

Superformance will build a production version of the Shelby GR-1 in the next few years. Until now, there were not many details about what type of engine the vehicle might get. That has changed. According to Robb Report, Superformance will consider a supercharged V8 engine for the GR-1 instead of the V10 engine that was in the original concept. Most likely it will be the 700-plus hp engine that’s in the upcoming GT500. 

“It sadly won’t be a V-10,” said Lance Stander CEO or Superformance. “Ford doesn’t have a V-10 apart from one they utilize in trucks, and we want the GR-1 to be a production car with a production engine—all coming from Ford.” When asked if the company would use the GT500’s engine, Stader said, “You’re thinking on the right track.”

That’s a pretty clear indication that it will either be the GT500’s engine directly or some variation of it. The Robb Report also talked with Stander about the possibility of using the Tremec dual-clutch transmission in the GT500. “[The Tremac] is a very exciting transmission, and we are in talks with them,” said Stander. “But at this point, we are also planning a six-speed manual.” 

That’s good news for enthusiasts. At this time, Ford only plans to build the GT500 with the DCT, but the company did note it would add a manual transmission at some point down the line if enough customers wanted one. Now, it seems customers may have an opportunity to get the powertrain they want in the even more exclusive Shelby GR-1. 

EV Not Out of the Question Either

With all this talk of the gasoline-powered car, the electric version that was rumored has fallen by the wayside. However, Stander says his company is still talking with Shelby American to make the EV GR-1 happen. Stander said Superformance and Shelby can’t ignore the move toward electric vehicles industry-wide. He also said you never know where EVs will be in two years time. 

2004 ford shelby GR-1

2004 ford shelby GR-1

Stander mentions two years because that’s about how long the company expects for the production version of the GR-1 to come to fruition. Right now the Low Car Volume Manufacturers Act, which is what enables the possibility of the GR-1 in the first place is tied up in the government shutdown. Once the shutdown is done, Superformance can proceed with actually building the car. When it does, let’s hope it has the V8-beating heart of the GT500 under it’s long and gorgeous hood. 

January 23, 2019 / Comments Off on Superformance Might Use the GT500’s Supercharged V8 in the Shelby GR-1
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Superformance Will Build Production Version of Shelby GR-1 Concept

Dreams Do Come True

The 2004 Ford Shelby GR-1 concept car first made it into the public eye in 2004 at Pebble Beach as a clay model. In 2005 Ford had a full concept car version that it showed at the North American International Auto Show. Despite a lot of enthusiasm, there was no way it would ever become a production car. 

That has changed thanks to Superformance. The Californian company specializes in building complete, rolling chassis replica cars. Most of its cars were vehicles built in the 1960s. Recently, the company announced at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles to the media it would start building the Shelby GR-1 concept car. 

Superformance teamed up with Shelby American. The companies will work together to build both gasoline and electric versions of the car. Details of the model are scarce, but Vince Laviolette, vice president of Shelby American did say the car will be “very fast,” according to Car and Driver. The CEO of Superformance, Lance Stander, said, “We’re shooting for a two-second Shelby.”

I assume that means two seconds to 60 mph. If that’s the case, all I have to say is that I want one. Superformance will build around 200 of the cars thanks to the 2015 Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act.

However, the company has to wait for the government to finalize the laws before it can start building or ever really deciding what powertrain to put in the car. With that said, you won’t need to worry about buying one of these for a couple of years. You should probably start saving your money. It will most likely be a pricey automobile. 

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on Superformance Will Build Production Version of Shelby GR-1 Concept
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