The refreshingly comprehensive instrument set is laid out centered on the driver, with the gauges monitoring the more critical functions positioned closest to the driver's line of sight. The lesser gauges stretch across the dash to the right in descending order of importance. All sit in a hooded pod sufficiently shaded for a quick scan in almost any light. Directly in front of the driver is the tachometer, reading to 8000 revolutions per minute and redlined at 6500 rpm (the rev limiter cuts in at 7000 rpm). To the left of the tach is the engine water temperature, which in the test car varied by more than 20 degrees depending on speed and ambient air temperature. To the right, and still visible within the arc of the steering wheel, is the oil pressure gauge. From there over to the most distant instrument, appropriately the speedometer (indicating a maximum 220 mph), are the voltmeter, boost monitor and fuel gauge. On a mini-shelf beneath the gauges are five toggle switches controlling the lights, rear defrost and hazard flashers.

A bright red button labeled Start is the highlight of the center stack. Next to this is the accessory power outlet, properly positioned for plugging in a radar detector. Recessed to the right of the outlet is the ignition key-operated off switch for the passenger airbag. Tucked in underneath these fixtures at the base of the C-stack are the stereo controls, hardly a convenient location for a panel that'll no doubt see frequent use. Foremost in the center console proper is the shift lever, ergonomically inclined toward the driver. Farther back, about where a driver's forearm might occasionally land, are the knobs and buttons for the air conditioning system. And to the rear of those is the padded armrest, sans any attempt at cupholders or storage bin.

Seats are ventilated with deep bottom cushions, sublimely comfortable over five-plus hours on high-speed rural interstates, but equally accommodating while creeping through rush hour traffic. Not to be remiss, they're also properly bolstered for rambunctious motoring along twisting two-lane roads. The fully adjustable steering wheel sports a rim that's tactilely ideal. Steering column-mounted stalks manage headlight high beams and windshield wipers and washers. Footwells are deep and wide, legroom more than adequate. Pedals are properly spaced, including the dead pedal. Fittingly, there is no cruise control.

Forward visibility is adequate, confined as it is by the relatively low roofline, long hood and high fenders. The huge C-pillars effectively eliminate rear quarter visibility, but the view out the rear window is better than expected, given the steep slope of the rear glass and ducktail-like rear spoiler. Side mirrors are good only for monitoring the lanes to each side of the car, as the bulbous rear fenders blind them to anything behind the GT.

Storage is almost an afterthought. The trunk's capacity is rated at a single cubic foot. There are a couple flat pockets behind the seats and a smallish bin tacked onto the side of the transmission tunnel in the passenger's footwell. Door handles, pulls and controls are convenient, but the door openings present some unique hazards; first, it's easy to bang a forehead on the overhang when clambering up out of the car, and tall drivers need to take care not to catch their hair in the top seal when closing the door. Also, the knob for adjusting the seatback angle is close enough to the base of the seatback for the inattentive to rip a thumbnail when rotating the knob. To get in, reach under the top edge of the side scallop and touch a little rubber bubble, and the door clicks open. Then, of course, you have to turn your back to the car and drop into the seat, swinging your legs in sideways and tucking them under the steering wheel. But once in the seat, oh, boy, time to play.

Fit and finish is good, given that the GT is essentially a hand-built car. Buzzes, squeaks and rattles in the test car were notable by their absence. Quality of materials is impressive, with metallic surfaces softly brushed and switches and knobs returning mostly consistent feel.