Ford release GT ‘MkIV’
Ford have announced that production of their third-generation GT supercar will end soon, but not before a special ‘MkIV’ track-only version is built, offering more performance than the roadgoing version, as well as any other GT released previously.
Announced on 9 December, the MkIV will be the final track-specific variant of the GT that Ford and its partners will produce, following in the wheeltracks of the last roadgoing version; the GT LM Edition that was announced in October.
The upcoming MkIV takes its name from the variant of the GT40, Ford’s original supercar, that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967 with A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney behind the wheel.
“The original GT MkIV held nothing back for max track performance, and the new Ford GT MkIV brings it in the same way,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
“With an even higher level of motorsport engineering and performance, plus a completely new carbon fibre body that is functional and striking, the MkIV is the ultimate send-off of the third-generation supercar.”
Aiming High
Ford have been vague on what sort of performance the new GT MkIV will offer, as the mechanical elements are still under development. The mid-mounted twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 will remain, but its capacity will increase from the standard 3.5 litres (whether via bore or stroke is unknown), with other engineering tweaks also initiated in an effort to deliver 800+ horsepower (595+kW). If achieved, this will compare to 660hp (492kW) from the standard MY22 GT and 700hp (522kW) from the last track-only GT that Ford offered; the 'MkII' from 2019 that was limited to 45 units.
A “proper racing gearbox” will replace the existing seven-speed automatic, with the MkIV to also feature Adaptive Spool Valve suspension, developed by Ford’s partner, Multimatic, who will also assemble the supercar at their Canadian factory.
Other hints to the MkIV’s spec seen in the photos provided include centre-lock wheels, racing slicks and no mirrors, but perhaps the key change is its longer wheelbase and increased length overall, thanks to a stretched chassis and heavily revised ‘long tail’ body.
The track-only GT MkIV's body will still be constructed from carbon fibre, but will feature aerodynamic enhancements over and above the roadgoing version.
The additional length has practical applications on the track, but is also another nod to the original MkIV from 1967, which featured a body that was longer than the GT40 by nine inches (23cm) and developed specifically for endurance racing.
“Multimatic’s brief was to create the most extreme final version of the Ford GT, and the Mk IV is the outcome,” said Larry Holt, Executive VP, Multimatic Special Vehicle Operations Group.
“A unique, larger displacement engine, proper racing gearbox, stretched wheelbase and truly radical body has resulted in an unprecedented level of performance. We are proud to have been part of the third-generation GT from its inception to this amazing swan song and consider it a significant chapter in Multimatic’s history.”
Strictly Limited
Production of the GT MkIV will be limited to just 67 units; the total honouring the original MkIV’s Le Mans winning year.
Like all other variants of the third-gen GT offered to date, this upcoming version will likely only be built in LHD, but being a track-only car, that’s less of a barrier to local ownership than it has been for the roadgoing version.
Ford says that potential customers will have to go through an application process to get one of the 67 units available, with successful applicants notified during Q1, 2023.
GT MkIV pricing starts at US$1.7 million (AU$2.51M approx.), with the first deliveries expected before the middle of this year.
