So your considered opinion on initializing gauges in the 05/06 is that it has no value?
Perhaps a good question, but really apples and oranges here. In the case of the 05-06 cars, there is a known problem (although not a known cause) of the abnormally high number of gauge failures. What we also know is that there is a negotiation step between the Gauge Control Module and the gauges at key-on and that this process is not very tolerant of low system voltages. Combine this with the fact than many GTs are driven infrequently and there is no CONFIRMED cause of the gauge failures, it would seem prudent to allow the gauges to initialize before the current pull of the starter operation. Clearly, this is a work-around at best... and there's simply no real proof that the "failure to initialize properly" phenomena has any relation to gauge failure problem. In fact, increasingly I think we see evidence that they are not related. An increasing number of owners are reporting a "gauge stickiness" issue prior to complete failure. This suggests that early theories about corrosion of the fine movement components - perhaps due to improper treatment, may be at the root.
Alas, let's come back the the NFGT. As mentioned previously, there are hundreds of thousands of modern vehicles on the road with this "keyless go" ignition system - all of them working virtually the same way. Press the start button without the brake depressed and the vehicle enters accessory mode. Press the start button with foot on the brake and the vehicle goes immediately from accessory on to start mode.
A few more facts;
1. Although the NFGT does employ a lot of computers and associated software, it is not unique in this regard and there is undoubtedly vehicles with even more lines of code - probably even in Ford's line-up. (Consider that the GT does not have software-intensive features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and correction, etc.)
2. Modern ECU's don't come out of a sleep-state only at key-on. The OEM has the option of using multiple other triggering events to render ECU's on PRIOR to an operator press of the start button. These events include remote unlocking, proximity sense of the key, driver's door opening, etc. Ford has a LOT of experience across their line-up to determine who/when functions need to be woken up.
3. As testament to the pervasiveness of the keyless-go systems, my '14 Ram EcoDiesel employs this same system. At cold start-ups, there is a definite delay between depressing the START button and engine fire up. In my case, it is the detection of the temperature and the need to briefly supply voltage to the glow plugs. At warm-start there is virtually no delay. The point is that Ford also has the option of placing a delay between the command to start and the actual start itself - IF it was needed.
