Sylvie Willis
The Ford GT40 is a high-performance racing car designed in the 1960s with a top speed of 160 mph. The car is powered by a 4.7-litre engine, which is impressive given its curb weight of 910 kg. While the car's fuel tank capacity is unclear, fuel consumption figures suggest it achieves between 14 and 20 miles per gallon (mpg) on the road and half that on the track. With rising fuel prices, this equates to roughly $42 to fill the tank and allows for 320 miles of driving, depending on speed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Engine location | amidships |
| Number of doors | 2 |
| Engine capacity | 4.7 litres |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
| Valves per cylinder | 2 |
| Power | 380 bhp (385 PS/283 kW) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Curb weight | 910 kg |
| Maximum speed | 257 km/h (160 mph) |
| Fuel efficiency | 12 mpg city, 18 mpg highway (EPA estimate); other estimates vary |
| Fuel tank capacity | 30 litres (7.5 gallons) for a single tank; 10 gallons (38 litres) for each saddle tank in a dual-tank setup |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel tank capacity: 30 litres (7.5 gallons)
The fuel tank capacity of the GT40 is 30 litres, or 7.5 gallons. This is a surprisingly low capacity for such a high-performance car.
The low fuel capacity of the GT40 is likely due to the fact that it is a racing car, designed for speed and performance rather than long-distance fuel efficiency. Racing cars are typically designed to be as lightweight as possible, to maximise their speed and handling, and a large fuel tank would add significant weight to the vehicle.
Additionally, during a race, drivers will need to make pit stops to change tyres and perform other maintenance, so it is not necessary for the car to be able to carry a large amount of fuel. In fact, a larger fuel tank could even be a disadvantage in a race, as the extra weight would slow the car down and make it less agile.
However, for those using the GT40 as a road car, the low fuel tank capacity may be an inconvenience, requiring more frequent stops to refuel. This is likely a small price to pay for the thrill and performance of driving such a powerful car.
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Fuel consumption: 19 mpg (US gallons)
The Ford GT40 is a high-performance racing car designed for endurance racing. While its powerful engine delivers exceptional speed and performance, fuel efficiency is not its primary concern.
On a long road trip, a GT40 owner reported achieving an average fuel consumption of 19 miles per gallon (US gallons). This figure can vary depending on driving style and conditions, with some drivers reporting lower mileage on the track or during sprint/drag/hill climb events.
Compared to modern hypercars, the GT40's fuel consumption may be considered relatively efficient. For example, the 2022 Ford GT, which draws inspiration from the iconic GT40, is estimated by the EPA to achieve 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.
Fuel efficiency in high-performance cars is often a secondary consideration to power and speed. However, with rising fuel prices, some GT40 owners are mindful of their vehicle's fuel consumption, aiming for sensible driving to get closer to 20 mpg or even slightly above.
Overall, while the GT40 may not be known for its fuel efficiency, owners can still expect to achieve respectable mileage, especially when compared to other high-performance vehicles in its class.
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Fuel prices: $3.70 per gallon
The fuel efficiency of a GT40 varies depending on the model and driving conditions. On a long road trip, a GT40 owner reported an average fuel efficiency of 19 mpg (US gallons). At the time, fuel prices were $3.70 per gallon.
Based on this information, we can estimate that it would cost approximately $19.47 to fill up the tank of a GT40, assuming a tank capacity of 30 liters (7.5 gallons). This estimate may vary depending on the actual fuel efficiency of the car and the size of the fuel tank.
Another GT40 owner reported achieving an average fuel efficiency of 20 mpg when driving their NSX at 80 mph on a 600-mile trip. They also mentioned that their car typically gets around 18 mpg combined driving. With fuel prices at $3.70 per gallon, it would cost approximately $22.20 to fill up a 30-liter tank at 20 mpg and $25.92 at 18 mpg.
It's important to note that fuel efficiency can vary significantly depending on driving conditions and driving style. For example, fuel efficiency is typically lower on race tracks compared to regular roads. Additionally, aggressive driving, such as speeding and rapid acceleration, can also reduce fuel efficiency.
Some GT40 owners have also reported installing dual fuel tank setups, with each tank holding approximately 10 gallons (38 liters) of fuel. This modification would significantly increase the fuel capacity of the vehicle and impact the overall cost of filling up the tanks.
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Fuel efficiency: one of the most efficient hypercars
The Ford GT40 is a high-performance, mid-engined racing car designed in the 1960s. It has a 4.7-litre engine and a maximum speed of 257 km/h (160 mph). While fuel efficiency may not be the first consideration when it comes to hypercars, the Ford GT is one of the most efficient in its class.
The GT40's engine size and power output mean that it is never going to be the most fuel-efficient car on the road. However, compared to other hypercars, it is relatively efficient. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the Ford GT will achieve 12 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. This compares favourably to other hypercars, such as the Bugatti Chiron, which manages only 9 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway, and the Lamborghini Aventador, which achieves the same fuel economy as the Chiron.
The Ford GT's superior fuel efficiency relative to its competitors can be partly attributed to the fact that it has fewer cylinders. The Ford has six fewer cylinders than the Lamborghini Aventador and ten fewer than the Bugatti Chiron. This means that the Ford GT's engine has fewer combustion chambers and, therefore, uses less fuel.
In addition to being more fuel-efficient than other hypercars, the Ford GT also has a larger fuel tank capacity. While the exact fuel tank capacity of the GT40 is unclear, some models have a single tank that can hold around 30 litres (7.5 gallons), while others have dual tanks that hold approximately 10 gallons (38 litres) each. This gives the Ford GT a potential range of over 500 miles, depending on driving style and conditions.
Overall, the Ford GT is a high-performance hypercar that offers superior fuel efficiency compared to its competitors. With its combination of power, performance, and relatively efficient fuel economy, the Ford GT is a truly impressive machine.
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Fuel tank materials: issues with ethanol and foam
The Ford GT40 is a high-performance racing car designed to compete in endurance racing. Over the years, several changes have been made to the GT40's chassis and engine to improve performance and safety. One notable change was the replacement of the leak-prone rubber gas tanks with aluminium ones.
When it comes to fuel tank materials, one issue that has been widely discussed is the use of ethanol-blended fuels and the associated problems with corrosion and storage. Ethanol, often made from corn and other plant materials, is commonly blended with gasoline to enhance octane levels and oxygen content. However, ethanol's hygroscopic nature can lead to water accumulation in the fuel tank, causing corrosion and potential engine damage. This is known as stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and it has been observed in steel storage tanks and pipelines used for fuel ethanol. To mitigate these issues, fuel stabilizers like Biobor EB can be added to ethanol-blended fuel to protect against water accumulation and corrosion.
Another issue with ethanol-blended fuels is their compatibility with certain metallic components in the fuel system. In some cases, brass components may need to be replaced with more expensive, corrosion-resistant alloys. Additionally, ethanol's lower energy content compared to gasoline may require additional fuel additives to maintain performance levels.
Now, let's shift our focus to the use of foam in fuel tanks. In some engines, foam is used inside the fuel tank to act as a fuel filter and stabilizer. However, over time, this foam can deteriorate or rot, leading to debris clogging the carburetor jets. This results in the engine only running with starting fluid. Regularly flushing the tank and replacing the foam can prevent fuel contamination and improve fuel flow, ensuring reliable starts and engine performance.
It's worth noting that fuel stabilizers may not always be effective in preventing fuel degradation, especially with the introduction of ethanol-blended fuels. The presence of ethanol can cause immediate fuel breakdown, and old or stale fuel purchased from discount stations can exacerbate the problem. Therefore, it is recommended to buy fuel from well-known stations to reduce the risk of engine issues.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel capacity of a GT40 varies depending on the model. The CAV GT has a capacity of 30 liters (7.9 gallons), while the KVA build has a dual-tank setup with each tank holding approximately 10 gallons (38 liters).
The fuel consumption of a GT40 depends on various factors such as driving conditions and usage. On average, a GT40 can achieve around 18-20 mpg (miles per gallon) when driven on roads and highways. During track or racing conditions, the fuel consumption can decrease to around 6-10 mpg.
The Ford GT, inspired by the iconic GT40 race car, is considered one of the most efficient hypercars in terms of fuel economy. According to EPA estimates, it achieves 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on highways. This is significantly better than competitors like the Bugatti Chiron (9/15 mpg) and the Lamborghini Aventador (9/14 mpg).
Several factors can influence the fuel consumption of a GT40, including driving style, speed, terrain, and engine modifications. For example, aggressive driving and high speeds will generally result in lower fuel efficiency. Additionally, certain engine modifications, such as switching from carb to Accel injection, can improve fuel consumption.
