DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Ford's born-again GT

Ford has wheeled out a new-generation GT supercar at the Detroit motor show, where it announced it will enter production next year.

Although it's yet to be confirmed for right-hand drive, the 2016 Ford GT oozes "race-proven technology" including a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged EcoBoost 3.5-litre V6 based on the same architecture of the company’s IMSA Daytona Prototype endurance racer and offering about 450kW.

The carbon-fibre framed super-coupe, which was driven onto the stage at Detroit, also features a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle and is claimed to deliver one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car.

Ford says its "most extreme offering" is "engineered to keep company with exotics when it goes into production in 2016" -- the same year Ford marks the 50th anniversary of its original GT filling the top three at the 1966 Le Mans 24-hour.

No-holds-barred supercar features include a pair of scissor doors, an “optimum tear-drop shape”, “aircraft-inspired fuselage", curved windscreen and deployable rear spoiler with automatic height and pitch, all of which are said to minimise drag and optimise downforce.

There's race-style torsion bar and pushrod suspension with adjustable ride height, Brembo ceramic brake discs all round and 20-inch wheels with uniquely-developed Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Interior features will include Ford's latest SYNC 3 infotainment system.

Ford said the new GT will be the headline act of 12 new perfformance models it will release in the next five years, including the F-150 Raptor and Mustang-based Shelby GT350R also revealed at Detroit, and the new Focus RS.

“The GT is the ultimate execution of an enthusiast supercar,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president of global product development.

“GT includes innovations and technologies that can be applied broadly across Ford’s future product portfolio – another proof point that Ford continues raising the performance bar while ultimately improving vehicles for all of our customers.”

Ford built just over 4000 examples of the original 2003 GT (originally called the GT 40 because it was just 40 inches high), powered by a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 engine.