Ford GT needs 'V-Max mode' to hit 348km/h

Ford has revealed its all-new GT supercar will come with five drive modes to help owners manage the 483kW/746Nm their car's twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 produces.

Featuring a Normal, Wet, Sport and Track mode, engineers also added a V-Max setting to help the GT achieve its 348km/h top speed.

Each drive mode can be selected by using an unusual rotary winding dial that sits above the left spoke of the steering wheel.

Aside from the Wet setting each mode also works with, what Ford describes is, an "easy to use" launch control that is armed by another steering wheel control.

To initiate a full launch, the system requires the driver to hold the brake with their left foot and fully depress the accelerator with the right foot. Once an 'LC' icon displayed on the dash turns green the driver just has to release their left foot for the perfect 0-100km/h run.

Back in the real world you're most likely to ignore full-bore acceleration and leave the GT in Normal mode.

In this setting the GT ground clearance is set to 120mm to raise the body away from harm and help it cope with speed bumps and driveways entrances.

Both the throttle and transmission, meanwhile, are calibrated for smoothness while both the stability and traction control remain at their most alert.

In the tamest mode, the rear wing deploys to give extra downforce and stability at speeds over a (highly illegal) 145km/h - making it an easy spot for cops to ticket you on the highway.

Luckily, if you do see an interceptor lurking the spoiler becomes an airbrake for maximum deceleration (but only over 121km/h).

Switch to Wet mode and the throttle sensitivity is reduced to help cope with managing torque on slippery surfaces - it also sets the dampers to 'comfort' mode - an option that can also be used on bumpy roads in the Normal setting.

Rotate the dial to Sport and Ford says you'll be treated to scalpel-sharp throttle responses. To ensure acceleration is relentless, in this mode the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6's anti-lag system becomes activated that's said to keep the turbochargers spinning for maximum boost on demand.

Since engineers expect more enthusiastic driving, the stability and traction control system also allow more slip and oversteer.

The Active rear wing, meanwhile, pops up at 113km/h.

Gear changes also quicken.

Track mode, Ford claims, is strictly for "race conditions". Improving the performance of the aero the ride height drops 50mm, while spring rates and dampers adjust to their firmest settings. The rear wing too joins in the action by deploying full time and adjusting at an angle that ensures maximum downforce.

The stability control remains present but can be scaled back for full drift mode.

Finally, Ford has given the owners of the GT the option of one final drive mode - V-Max.

This, claims engineers, shouldn't be used on the road as it locks the GT's ride height in its lowest setting.

To reduce drag, and increase speed, V-Max mode folds away the large rear wing. Perhaps more worrying, it stays folded meaning they'll be no air brake assistance if you suddenly have to hit the anchors at the Ford GT's 348km/h top speed.

It’s still not known how much exactly the Ford GT will charge for the 1000 cars it will build but some estimates suggest most buyers have already forked out more than $650,000.