A while back we mentioned that the Ford GT's front ground clearance is actually better than most exotics we've driven. You really have to hit a pretty substantial bump, or an extreme driveway angle, to scrape anything on the front of the car. Out back, however, it's a different story. The rear splitters that help keep the car snugged down on the road at speeds above 150 mph are just slightly lower than your average parking block...
Normally this wouldn't be a big issue, except that because they are on the back of the car you have absolutely no idea how close they are to the parking block when backing into a space. Basically, you have to either get out of the car constantly to see how close you are getting, or just park by Braille. Normally, when backing into a space, we use the former technique. But a few times we've unintentionally gone with the latter...
Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief, Edmunds.com @ 4,980 miles
tsgeisel says:
11:42 AM, 08/21/06
So, um, don't back into a space with the GT?
editor_karl says:
12:12 PM, 08/21/06
That's a good idea in theory, but two problems.
1. If you pull front-first into a space, you then have to back out with the GT's limited rear visibility. While that trait also hurts backing into a space, at least a parking space is a generally static, low risk area. Backing from a parking space into an area where cars are driving (parking lot aisle, street, etc.) is much trickier in a car like the GT.
2. It's an exotic. They look better from the front.
johnredcorn1 says:
03:19 AM, 08/22/06
From watching years of Formula 1, I /think/ the correct term for this aerodynamic device at the rear of the car is "diffuser". It's job is to accelerate air as it exits from beneath the car. This acceleration of air migrates foward under the car and results in increased downforce due to the Bernoullii effect. In F1, a "splitter" is a device that splits airflow as it enters the front area of the car, directing it an effecient way so as to maximize the amount of air exiting the diffusuer that sits downstream. The F1 car's splitter is located behind the front axle line, under the driver's legs. That's in F1, I think I'm correct in assuming that the terminology applies to road cars as well, but I may be incorrect. Diffusers are typically more effective than wings (and look less silly).
Not too many of us have cars with functional aerodyanic devices at the rear. :)
jerrywimer says:
10:31 AM, 08/22/06
No kidding. But some wings still look good. (Then again, some don't. ;-) )
steve_ says:
11:29 AM, 08/22/06
Btw Karl, what do you think of the capless gas cap on the GT (and supposedly soon to be on most Ford cars)?
editor_karl says:
11:52 AM, 08/22/06
I love the capless gas cap. The worst part is that, after filling up, I consistently have this moment of looking around and thinking "Where did I put the cap," before I remember, "Oh yeah, there isn't one." I can't complain about having one less item to keep track of when filling up. I remember several instances of my dad losing a gas cap during family vacations. That's less likely now since most have tethers, but having no cap at all is evern better.
jerrywimer says:
06:23 AM, 08/24/06
We were traveling on the interstate recently. I was in the left lane passing some slower traffic when I saw something come bouncing down the road ahead of us and under the vehicle to my right (thump) about the size of a tennis ball, but black in color.
The first thing I said to my wife was- "That looked like a gas cap!".
About two miles further up the road I had to again get over to pass some slower traffic. As I did I saw this elderly looking lady driving one of the cars, and the fuel door was open. I told the wife that I bet her gas cap was missing..
I couldn't look into the opening because of driving but my wife checked as we passed beside the lady, and sure enough her cap was missing.. Wonder how much the replacement will run her, when she eventually realizes it's gone.
About the only problem I foresee with Ford's new system is the cost whenever the spring-loaded mechanism starts to wear out. Especially if that's outside of the warranty period. Screw on gas caps don't wear out, and I'd be surprised if the lady in question above pays more than $15 for a replacement. I'd imagine there'll be a bit of disassembly involved to get to a couple parts and then some reassembly when the spring loaded setup finally gives up. The parts themselves most likely won't be too expensive. You never know though- depends on how they make them. If you have to replace an "assembly" because of the spring it could get pricier. Assuming that isn't the case though, the dealership's still gonna make out like a bandit on the labor charges. :P