Ford GT Gets Gorilla Glass Windshield

Ford Motor Co. says its upcoming GT supercar will be fitted with “Gorilla Glass” windshields that are 30% lighter, saving 12 lbs over conventional glass units. The material, which was developed by Corning Inc., also is said to be stronger, clearer and more durable than current windshields.

Corning introduced Gorilla Glass for smartphones and other consumer electronics products in 2007. The supplier modified the formula specifically for automotive applications for Ford, which also will use it in the GT’s rear engine cover.

The new glass features a multilayer design with panes made from annealed glass, a noise-absorbing thermoplastic, and an unspecified automotive-grade formed hybrid material. Ford says the new window laminate is at least as strong as conventional glass but is 25%-50% thinner.

The GT is the first automotive application of the multilayer design; BMW’s i8 electric supercar uses a single-layer version of the glass.

To demonstrate the windshield’s durability, Ford shot golf ball-size ice pellets at it out of a cannon at 55 mph. Unlike conventional windshields that shatter under such an assault, the Gorilla Glass system remained intact.