Ford halo

[vorticism]

Ford is expected to reveal a new halo car at the Detroit show this January, alongside the Red Bull car reveals (yes, those will be only livery reveals on generic ’26 car models but for the average bystander it may as well be the actual car reveal). It might be another generation of the Ford GT series. It stands to reason that they might follow in Mercedes-Benz’ AMG One footsteps by using an actual F1 powertrain in this car (in this case a 50-50 V6 hybrid with a large battery), if the RBPT-Ford partnership allows for it. If so it could bode well for the RBPT-Ford engine program. If they are this heavily associating the F1 cars and this road car it could be seen as a show of confidence.

If not related, then maybe they’ll say “EVs boring” and revive their truck V10 or a dry sumped version of that 8 liter truck V8 or a V10 version of the Coyote... but all of their recent publicity stunt cars were full EVs. So you’d think either a full EV or a hybrid, and if hybrid then you’d think F1 type.

Amid the V10 babbling I left out the more interesting option...

...Otherwise maybe Ford goes for larger stakes. RBPT as a sort of Ford HPP. In which case... The RB17 has become... The new GT40? Which is to be debuting in January alongside the RB22... In which case it would have the 15k RPM Cosworth V10? RB40! My rampant speculation now concludes.

...Ford GT40 branding might add cachet to a car that was sold somewhat upon its association with Newey, Horner, and RBR. Associations which no longer exist in full. GT40 heritage as replacement for the loss of some RBR heritage might be decent idea.

[SealTheRealDeal]

Ford is expected to reveal a new halo car at the Detroit show this January, alongside the Red Bull car reveals (yes, those will be only livery reveals on generic ’26 car models but for the average bystander it may as well be the actual car reveal). It might be another generation of the Ford GT series. It stands to reason that they might follow in Mercedes-Benz’ AMG One footsteps by using an actual F1 powertrain in this car (in this case a 50-50 V6 hybrid with a large battery), if the RBPT-Ford partnership allows for it. If so it could bode well for the RBPT-Ford engine program. If they are this heavily associating the F1 cars and this road car it could be seen as a show of confidence.

If not related, then maybe they’ll go “lol EVs boring” and revive their truck V10 or a dry sumped version of that 8 liter truck V8 or a V10 version of the Coyote... but all of their recent publicity stunt cars were full EVs. So you’d think either a full EV or a hybrid, and if hybrid then you’d think F1 type.

Given how much Ford has put into promoting the Mustang Dark Horse (and it's offshoot, the Mustang GTD), I can't imagine them immediately rendering it obsolete with a proper hypercar. So imo it'll be yet another Dark Horse iteration, a "Maxstang" so to speak, redesigned for the post-CAFE era [more gas guzzling indulgence], probably with a 1,000+ hp engine to compete with the Corvette ZR1, maybe also with an additional hybrid system and 4 wheel drive to compete with the ZR1X, and an aero package designed for another attempt at the Nordschleife record (my understanding is that Ford is really ticked they were the fastest North American road car around the Nordschleife for all of a month before the new Corvettes bumped them down to 3rd).

Could also be that something has fallen into their lap, like Red Bull agreeing to let Ford badge and sell the RB17.

[vorticism]

A GT3 angle would make sense given Verstappen’s racing team and events outside of F1. Prior to the Ford arrangement I suggested a Civic Max as an mid-4 quasi-Group B rally meets GT silhouette track car with an inline 5. Ford as well have experience with that cylinder arrangement... They could also take a page out of GM’s notebook and make a mid-engine Mustang. Ford already made a 5-door CUV Mustang EV, so it’s not as though there is anything sacrosanct about the powertrain layout.

The last GT40 special edition in 2022 was pushing $2 million, and the RB17 was to be around $5 million, iirc. USD has lost around half of its value since '19 due to the lockdowns and invasions, so a Ford logo next to such a price tag might not be out of the question as all car prices new and used have jumped and the least affected buyers will be the ones who can spend millions on car. So my guess about the RB17 might have some plausibility.