Ford GT successor arriving before 2016?

Like a bad habit, rumors of a Ford GT return just refuse to die.

Ever since production of the Ford GT supercar ceased in 2006, rumors have surfaced and resurfaced suggesting the legendary nameplate would return again.

While the latest rumor is far from confirmation of the car's return, depending on your level of optimism it may be reason to celebrate. During a recent Q&A session between Automobile and Ford CEO Alan Mulally, along with Ford global product chief Derrick Kuzak, a question about the future of the GT seemed to generate an answer worthy of speculation.

That "answer" took place when the magazine editor asked, "Is Ford interested in a successor to the GT?" This question prompted Kuzak to pause, seemingly searching for an appropriate answer to a sensitive question, before being temporarily interrupted by light-hearted Mulally's interjection that "All I know is, if the ground is wet, they don't let me drive it [Ford GT]." Adding, "That vehicle levitates."

After a little shared laughter, Kuzak gave the potentially revealing answer, "Well I think there are certain things that we don't want to talk about in terms of four-year product plans, if that's okay."

Obviously that answer is far from confirmation, but not far from simultaneously suggesting that the automaker isn't quite ready to reveal its cards...suggesting there is a very special car on one of those cards.

So what would the GT likely resemble? Stylistically, don't expect a whole lot of deviation from either the original or second version of the iconic car, but powertrain-wise - anything is possible. With automakers like Porsche, Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes-Benz turning to hybrids, turbines and electric powertrains for their supercars, Ford could do anything from a supercharged V8, to EcoBoosted-something, to a gas-electric hybrid, or anything in-between.

For now, expect this subject to remain silent for likely another year or two before the folks at the Blue Oval let loose any other details about the GT and its possible second third coming.