By Tycho de Feijter for 6th Gear Automotive Solutions.
Haarlem, July 2019.
This is the new Ford GT MK II, a track-only race car based on the road-going Ford GT supercar. The MK II name refers to Ford GT40 MK II, a race car that one the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. The new Ford GT Mark II is a tribute to the earlier car, and the most powerful track car that Ford has ever made.
Power comes from a tuned-up variant of the twin-turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 engine. In the GT Mark II, output is 700 hp and 780 Nm. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT), sending every horse to the rear wheels. Top speed is 360 kilometers per hour and 0-100 is gone in 2.6 seconds.
The new body kit, the giant wing on the back, and a race-ready diffuser make for 200 kilo more downforce than on the road car. Most eye-catching aspect of the Ford GT Mark II is the roof-mounted air intake, which channels air to the engine, transmission, and the clutch.
It is 100 kilo lighter than the road going car. Most of this reduction was achieved by totally stripping the interior, deleting all luxuries, and replacing the standard seats with hardcore ultralight racing seats.
To keep all that racing power in check Ford has fitted the GT MK II with a giant set of brakes, developed in cooperation with Brembo. Up front, it has 399 millimeter carbon ceramic discs with a 6-piston monoblock calipers. At the rear, it has 358 millimeter carbon ceramic discs with a 4-piston monoblock caliper. The front calipers have exposed brake fluid lines, improving brake cooling.
The Ford GT MK II will be a very rare car. Ford will only produce 45 of these track monsters, for a cool $1.2 million each. But when you see ever see one on track; rest assured, it will brake as quick as it goes.