When the Ford GT hits streets and race tracks next year, it will be amongst the most advanced vehicles in the world thanks to its carbon fiber body, 600-plus horsepower EcoBoost V6, and suite of supporting technologies. It will also be the first car fitted with Corning Gorilla Glass hybrid windshield, an idea inspired by smartphones and tablets that have become so ubiquitous.

The three-layer windshield uses standard automotive grade glass, as well as thermoplastic and annealed glass applications, making it both thinner and lighter than traditional automotive laminate glass.

Traditional automotive grade glass had two layers of annealed glass sandwiching a clear, thermoplastic interlayer binding agent. Ford introduced this windshield technology too, and it has become an industry standard for more than a century. But for a supercar like the Ford GT, where every ounce of weight counts against potential performance, engineers decided it was time to try something new.

While Ford initially joined Corning to produce this hybrid glass for the new GT supercar, the automaker quickly realized there were plenty of other applications for a thinner, lighter sheet of glass. Ford says its Gorilla Glass hybrid is anywhere from 25 to 50 perecent thinner (as thin as three millimeters compared to traditional glass that is up to six millimeters thick) and 30 percent lighter.

“During development, we tried different glass variations before we found a combination that provided both weight savings and the durability needed for exterior automotive glass,” said Paul Linden, Ford body exteriors engineer. “We learned, somewhat counter-intuitively, that the strengthened interior layer of the windshield is key to the success of the hybrid window.”

Not only does this windshield save weight, it could also save lives too. It’s tougher than traditional glass, thanks largely to an improved containment reduction process, unique edge treatnet, and chemical strengthening. And while it may be slated to debut on the Ford GT first, it stands to reason that this windshield innovation will trickle down to the rest of the Blue Oval’s fleet before long.