The Ford Shelby GR-1 is a reality-based concept, fully engineered and production-feasible. Its interior is racing-inspired and ready for serious drivers.
INTERIOR FOCUSES ON DRIVER COMFORT
Interior cabin technology focuses on driver comfort, enjoyment and entertainment. The instrument panel features a full complement of analog gauges, including a combination analog tachometer with floating watch-like elements and digital speedometer. The tachometer housing has integrated air registers and an additional Noise Reduction Technology (NRT) output speaker.
The centrally mounted Tire IQ™ display is a sophisticated driver's aid designed to inform, warn and entertain. The Tire IQ™ provides the driver and passenger with an animation of vital tire temperature and pressure statistics via sensors in the tire, along with data on other key vehicle dynamics such as cornering G forces measured through an onboard accelerometer.
The center console features integrated toggles that control the fuel pump, ignition, windows, hood and rear glass release. The racing-inspired pushbutton starter and 'baseball grip' gear knob are situated ahead of the parking brake, which has been incorporated into the tunnel armrest. The quick-release steering wheel has integrated headlamp, wiper and direction indicator controls.
Special attention has been paid to noise reduction in the interior. The rear hatch stowage compartment, features a removable MP3/Amp and NRT console, while audio input, output and recording speakers are integrated into the headrest protection wings on each seat. The speakers can provide a combination of the following:
The MP3/AMP/N-R-T functions can be interfaced through the Tire IQ™ display through a joystick controller.
Throughout the interior, the leather trim is in slate gray, with color-matched perforated Alcantara leather featured on touch zones such as the gear knob, parking brake, steering wheel, door inserts and instrument/Tire IQ™ binnacles. Functional zones such as dials, door release and center console switchgear have been finished in a combination of anodized gunmetal finishes.
Ambient cabin lighting is neatly packaged behind the central headlining panel, an indirect blue glow appears around the periphery offset of the panel. The headliner and upper doorframes are trimmed with a woven aluminum-metalized fabric that 'lightens' the interior ambiance and heightens the slate gray tones of the leather and Alcantara trim. The dark gunmetal gray flooring is also trimmed in the hard-wearing metalized fabric.
FORD SHELBY GR-1 CONCEPT
The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept has evolved into a fully engineered supercar since its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August. The solid foundation of the Ford GT, transformed first into the underpinnings for the Shelby Cobra concept, is now the heart and soul of the Shelby GR-1 concept. All of the sophisticated mechanicals of this extraordinary coupe are wrapped in a sleek, muscular exterior left raw and polished bright.
"Racing-inspired and wholly modern in design, this show car builds on the successful relationship with Carroll Shelby and reinforces Ford's ongoing commitment to performance excellence," says J Mays, group vice president of Design and chief creative officer.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The Ford Shelby GR-1 concept is a sinewy, athletic design with a long hood that blends seamlessly into the teardrop-shaped cabin with a fastback and falling upper fender line.
Its optimized wheel arches and compact overhangs define the striking stance while the strong shoulder line and smooth, taut surfaces express the car's graceful yet athletic nature. The polished aluminum body panels further express the highly sculptural surfaces and define the emotional proportions in dramatic fashion.
The front of the Shelby GR-1 is dominated by an air intake aperture and air flow splitter, directing cool air into the engine bay and wheel wells, while air vents on the upper surface of the hood exhaust hot air from the radiator. Additional intakes and vents perforate the body side to ensure cooling throughout.
The trapezoidal high intensity solid state (HISS) headlamps and powerful wheel arches identify the front corners of GR-1. At the rear, the distinctive Kamm tail, a strong concave section, is further defined by the bold vertical taillamps.
The Shelby GR-1 concept sits on 19-inch, 12-spoke milled aluminum wheels and feature Goodyear 275/40R-19 tires in the front and 345/35R-19 in the rear. All tires incorporate the unique Tire IQ™ monitoring system, which allows the driver to monitor precise tire performance.
Its butterfly doors have distinctive side-glass graphics with integrated door release handles. The graceful upward glide of the doors leads into the racing-inspired interior that features seats with carbon shells and fixed backs. The carbon shells are connected directly to the sill and tunnel via lightweight aluminum "spaceframe" attachments, and can be adjusted fore and aft by way of an accessible pull ring on the seat cushions' leading edge. The seats incorporate removable Alcantara comfort inserts that are individually tailored to the occupant's body type.
The interior door panels feature air vent apertures and integrated "door close" pockets. The door release employs a "pull ring" themed design with "quick release" slide action and illuminated door lock/unlock indicator. The exposed rear bulkhead cross-car structure braces to the roll hoop and features a "snorkel" air register outlet that controls the ambient cabin climate.