Looking Back at Ford Unleashing the GT MK II
Racing has rules but with the GT Mark II, Ford was allowed to break them all. The result is one very special Ford supercar.
The ultimate Ford track day car
The Ford GT has always been America’s answer to claims that only Europe can build can a proper mid-engined supercar. Since its debut in the mid-1960s, the Ford GT has always represented the pinnacle of performance for blue oval fans. And the latest-generation Ford GT now has an even more potent MK 11 version on offer. Production will be limited to only 45 cars and they retail for a paltry $1.2m each.
Fast and flat the Ford GT way
The technical experts who prepare and run Ford’s Le Mans specification GT3 cars are to thank for the GT MK 2. Multimatic did the development of this new GT MK 2 and the goal was to produce a vehicle that enthusiasts could take to an open track day, and be assured that they will be ahead of the pack. Although not quite as fast as the GLE specification Le Mans Ford GT, this new Multimatic prepared MK 2 car should comfortably run with most GT3 trim racing cars.
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All the aero you could ever need
Multimatic has applied their racing knowledge to the Ford GT MK 2 and as such, it has a vastly impressive array of aerodynamic bits. The rear three-quarter view shows an enormous fixed rear spoiler and radically oversized diffuser. In fact, that diffuser is so large, it looks like something trailing the entire car. In combination, the rear wing and diffuser produce an incredible amount of downforce at speed, which means that in high-speed corners, the Ford GT MK 2 has more grip than just about any other supercar you’d care to mention.
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A cockpit for culling corners
The Ford GT Mark 2 has a typically dedicated driver-centric cabin. Ingress is slightly narrowed by the presence of a roll-cage, fashioned from the best quality Chromoly tubing available. The steering wheel only has side-grips, because real track day cars never have to complete a full steering rotation due to the fast steering rack ratios. As you would expect, there is very little analog information and data display in the Mark 2, with nearly everything the driver needs to know, being relayed in digital form.
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To make the power you need a lot of air
Multimatic has ensured that amongst all the functions, there is some stunning detailing on the GT Mark 2. Composite trim covers the huge roof air-intake, which feeds the engine a constant flow of slightly cooler air, with the rest being accelerated over the Mark 2’s bodywork.
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A GT without limits
An interesting part of what Multimatic could do with the Ford GT Mark 2, is that they could apply all the best racing bits, that are curtailed by normal competition rules. In the formula that Ford races, there is a balance of performance calculation. This means that certain aspects of vehicle performance, are reduced, to ensure that one car does not become dominant. With the customers Ford GT Mark 2 cars, there are no rules. And Multimatic could build their dream specification.
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A lot more downforce
Without having to remain within the racing formula rules, the Ford GT Mark 2 has gained a lot of downforce. Multimatic claims that the total cumulative downforce is 400 pounds more than on the pure racing car. Credit the larger rear diffuser for that and some broader dive planes at the trailing edge of the car’s front bumper. The brakes are better, too. Ford has swapped out the GT racer’s standard steel rotors, for composite brakes.
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Lighter and faster
The Ford GT Mark 2 is also 200 pounds lighter than the racer and it has more power. For Le Mans, Ford is limited in terms of peak power for its GT. But without any restrictions, the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 is guaranteed to run at peak power beyond 700hp in Mark 2 configuration. With less mass and more power, you just know that this Ford mid-engined supercar is going to be the absolute object of supreme envy – at any track day event.
>>Join the conversation about the MK II Ford GT right here in the 6SpeedOnline Forum!