The Ford GT MK II is a track-only version of the supercar, built independent of even the slightest influence of the ‘potentially lame’ race series rules, regulations and limitations
This is what we had been telling you about earlier this month. The mystery surrounding the teaser images from Ford showing what was taken for a beefed-up Ford GT, has now been solved as the carmaker finally took veils off the car at the Goodwood Festival of speed 2019.
Named the Ford GT Mk II, this performance dinosaur is, in essence, a track-only car but built without adhering to any of those customary race series rules, regulations and limitations of a conventional track machine. This obviously would mean that you get to taste the real evil of a wild, full spec Ford GT in the MK II!
The Ford GT MK II points towards the next stage in Ford GT performance. It has a massive 700hp 3.5L Ecoboost engine under the hood and a mix of race-proven aerodynamics and competition-oriented handling to assist it in the run for on-track excellence.
Ford developed the new GT MKII through a healthy collab between Ford Performace and Multimatic. The team has evidently done extensive learning in the process and has taken cues from Ford’s successful FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaigns.
These, however, have not led to Ford trying to mould the GT MK II according to those customary rules, regulations and limitations of the race series. Thankful enough!
“The GT Mk II unleashes the full performance potential of the Ford GT without any artificial performance limitations dictated by racing sanctioning bodies,” says Hau Thai-Tang, Ford chief product development and purchasing officer. “It’s the closest GT owners can get to the Le Mans-winning performance and exhilarating feeling of crossing the finish line in the Ford GT race car.”
Yes, you hear that right. He is indeed talking about the Ford GT LeMans champ car! The Ford GT MK II is absolutely one collectable and is gonna be limited to just 45 in number as well. And don’t expect the Ford GT MK II price to be anywhere south of the USD $1.2 million mark!”
The true off-the-hook performance capability of the GT hasn’t yet been fully showcased,” said Multimatic’s Chief Technical Officer, Larry Holt. “The road car is obviously limited by the many global homologation requirements that it must comply with, and the race car suffers from the restriction of the dreaded Balance of Performance, resulting in it being 150 horsepower down to the road car. The Mk II answers the regularly asked question of how would the car perform with all the limitations lifted: the answer is spectacularly.
The car is fully manufactured in Markham, Ontario, with the initial stage of production taking place in the Ford GT plant where the regular car is made, and culminating in the Multimatic Motorsports facility where it transformed into a Ford GT MK II.
What Is Different?
Major upgrades in aerodynamics and the engine are what make the Ford GT MK II stand out from the regular car. There has been a generous amount of sharing of parts with the regular Ford GT supercar and the GT race car.
The large dual-element rear wing provides for more downforce than even what is on offer on the Ford GT race car! This additional surge in downforce at the rear is well taken care of by the new front racing splitter and diffuser along with the new fender louvres and dive planes.
The GT MKII is also lighter and more agile than its road spec and race-spec siblings. Over pounds have been shaved off the regular car by getting rid of stuff like the ride height adjustment mechanism of the regular car.
There is also an additional new-age cooling mechanism onboard the MKII. The roof-mounted intake reminds one of the race car, and feeds the auxiliary engine, clutch and transmission coolers.
Braking on the MKII turns out to be more efficient than that of the race car, done in order to match the bump in power. It uses the street car’s carbon-ceramic brakes, including 15.5-inch front and 14.1-inch rear Brembo brakes. The GT MK II gets race-proven Michelin Pilot Sport GT tires wrapped around massive 19-inch wheels!
The Ford GT MK II interior sees slight improvements like a bespoke Sparco racing seat with a six-point racing harness, MoTeC data acquisition system for the driver and even an optional passenger seat!
Before we sign off, here’s the footage of this track machine tearing the track, as shot and published by Ford itself…
