http://www.gtspirit.com/2014/10/03/ford-gt-successor-and-le-mans-comeback-planned-for-2016/

 

This article is saying that there will be a new Ford GT, and a Le Mans comeback from Ford. 

 

Now I personally think that this is unlikely as Ford brought back the GT in 2002 for the 100th anniversary I believe it was. There was also a GT race car based on the GT

 

 

Now if they did do this here is how I think they should do it

 

An Ecoboost LMP1 car to compete against Audi and Porsche

A Ford GTE car with a V8 to compete against Corvette, SRT & Ferrari

A road going Ford GT, that should have a 7.0 V8, look similar to the classic GT40 and the modern GT, with 650BHP to go against the Corvette C7 Z06 and SRT Viper GTS.

 

I Must say that the reason I think it is unlikely is because

 

1. Ford only bring back cars like this for anniversaries, the GT was for the 100th anniversary of Ford Motor Company

2. Ford are sort of focused in building more eco freindly, higher volume family cars (Fiesta, Focus, Taurus etc.)

3. Ford alraedy compete in NASCAR and some private teams use the MK7 GT in endurance racing (i think). 

I would be surprised if Ford entered in GT racing until the whole GT convergence farce has been resolved, and there's always BoP.

As you said, Ford doesn't have a car, perhaps apart from the Mustang, that would stand a chance at getting homologated, waivers notwithstanding.

 

It would be far more likely that they will develop a replacement for their DP programme once IMSA ditches the DP's in TUSC after 2015, whether IMSA opts for LMP2 only or they develop their own class format may depend on it, developing a LMP-2 engine or perhaps supply a LMP-1-L team with Ford EcoBoosts would also be likely options.

 

There has been rumours about big names (Ferrari, McLaren) lobbying for a DTM'esque prototype format where the cars are visually similar to a production car. Ford has a lot of experience with developing silhouette racers from their NASCAR programme. I wouldn't be surprised if Ford opted for that type of sports car racing, especially if the ACO and FIA persists with using the technical regulations to develop road relevant technology, whatever the format the LMP-1's might be. Road relevance is why Porsche came to WEC this year and it's why Nissan is coming next year, and it's why Honda is yet to reveal their LMP-1-H project.

I would be surprised if Ford entered in GT racing until the whole GT convergence farce has been resolved, and there's always BoP.

As you said, Ford doesn't have a car, perhaps apart from the Mustang, that would stand a chance at getting homologated, waivers notwithstanding.

 

It would be far more likely that they will develop a replacement for their DP programme once IMSA ditches the DP's in TUSC after 2015, whether IMSA opts for LMP2 only or they develop their own class format may depend on it, developing a LMP-2 engine or perhaps supply a LMP-1-L team with Ford EcoBoosts would also be likely options.

 

There has been rumours about big names (Ferrari, McLaren) lobbying for a DTM'esque prototype format where the cars are visually similar to a production car. Ford has a lot of experience with developing silhouette racers from their NASCAR programme. I wouldn't be surprised if Ford opted for that type of sports car racing, especially if the ACO and FIA persists with using the technical regulations to develop road relevant technology, whatever the format the LMP-1's might be. Road relevance is why Porsche came to WEC this year and it's why Nissan is coming next year, and it's why Honda is yet to reveal their LMP-1-H project.

A Mustang the most logical choice for a homologation car, as it alraedy is in production, and a racing version of a mustang would stand a better chance than a racing taurus or something. I think that IF Ford get back into GT or Endurance racing, it will probably be an ecoboost engine. DTM'esque LMP's could be interesting, the power, lightness and aero of an LMP, but recognizable cars, like DTM cars are. That could be a good idea, in fact it sort of reminds me of the 911 GT1 and the CLK GTR, which are sort of the closest things you can get to a hybrid of a LeMans car and a DTM car