Hey I like Jeremy, but I get annoyed with his constant misquoting of FGT specs. Didn't he OWN one of our cars??? And I am sure I would like this new Focus RS, but come on.....
Jeremy, the FGT had 550 hp, not 500 as you quote.
The FGT does not weigh "4,000-odd pounds", it is more like 3300.
With regard to the FGT interior layout and gauges I disagree with your statement "The GT never allows you quite the same level of nonchalance." We have basic singularly dedicated analog gauges, RPM, oil pressure, temp...oh an speedo, boost pressure/vaccume and volts. All pretty basic to grasp, just like a race car should be.
"You can't really see out of it, and it feels lorry wide." Maybe the rear visibility is a bit compromised, but front view is not bad....and "lorry" wide? For a car 42" high and low CG that can produce 1+ G's on a skid pad, it has to be wide....
"The supercharger belt is spinning just over your right shoulder, about 6 inches from your ear, and everything feels unfamiliar." Unfamiliar??? point-and -go... I never hear any supercharger noise through the triple-pane firewall glass. Do you??? Ford NHV engineers did a fantastic job with this issue.
"Part of their speed is based on their inability to be intimidating in the same way as a $130K-odd behemoth with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that's bellowing a thick, angry aria just behind your ears." Jeremy, have you ever seen a FGT? Mine has a MOD 5.4L engine and all I hear is the sweet sound of a V8 from the rear of my car.
He has NO credibility in this comparative article.....