The 2003-2004 Ford GT was never intended to be a long-lasting production run. Ford produced just a few thousand of these exotic cars, inspired by the legendary GT-40, to celebrate its 100^th birthday. With a 550 horsepower supercharged 5.4 liter V8, it was every bit as powerful as it was thirsty for fuel.

Motor Trend reports that Ford is mulling bringing back the GT as a car for the 21^st century. That means making it green, and utilizing alternative fuels or power. So can it be fast?

The original Ford GT-40 was built to beat Ferrari, and beat Ferrari it did, taking home big wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1966 to 1969. At the time, Ford did not build another car like it; an expensive, exotic machine built to compete with the best Europe had to offer. The 2005-2006 Ford GT was more a luxury sports car built for nostalgia purposes than as an answer to an upstart Italian car maker. Yet at the same time, the inspiration for the GT-40 and GT was decidedly European. Light, low to the ground, and powerful. Ford had nothing else in its lineup like it.

Flash forward forty years, and if we take a look across the pond we will see a new trend emerging. Mercedes, Porsche, and yes, even Ferrari, are mulling takng their supercars in a “greener” direction. There is the Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in, the Mercedes SLS E-Cell (think electric gullwing), and the Ferrari 599 Hybrid. Ford has trimmed the fat from the company, and while their lineup is strong, it lakes a defined halo car. Chevy has the Corvette, Dodge had the Viper. Ford needs to bring the GT back.

You might be thinking “but electric cars are slow!” Don’t be so quick to judge though. If the European exotic car makers think there is potential, they will unlock it. Remember also, electric motors produce 100% of their maximum torque at 0 RPM. Not even the most powerful combustion engine does that. Besides, would Ford make a GT successor that was slow, no matter the powertrain? We think not.