cars news 10: Ford GT to Use Weight-Saving Gorilla Glass Windshield

The Ford GT, which is expected to go on sale at the end of 2016, will come equipped with a hybrid windshield made from Gorilla Glass, the same material that’s used in smart phone screens that’s 30 percent lighter than traditional glass. Ford says the lightweight windshiled saves more than 12 pounds and improves acceleration on the 600-plus hp supercar.

Ironically, Henry Ford was the one to introduce the U.S. to the traditional windshield that has been in use for almost a century. But in partnership with Corning, which makes Gorilla Glass, Ford was able to fast-track the new Gorilla Glass material to the windshield, bulkhead panel, and engine cover of the new GT. Gorilla Glass, which has already been put to use on consumer electronics, is about 3 to 4 millimeters thick, or 25 percent to 50 percent thinner than traditional glass.

Ford says the Gorilla Glass improves acceleration, fuel economy, and braking performance on the GT, although it’s unclear by how much. The automaker also claims that the material reduces weight from high up in the construction of the vehicle, which lowers the car’s center of gravity and improves agility.

This isn’t the first time Ford has partnered with the supplier of Gorilla Glass. Last year, Gorilla Glass was featured on Ford’s Multi-Material Lightweight Vehicle Concept Car, an experiment that shed 700 pounds off a traditional Fusion car. Interestingly enough, Gorilla Glass also made an appearance on the on-board drone of the Rinspeed ∑tos autonomous concept car.

Source: Ford