Ford GT MKII Unhinged and Unleashed on Goodwood FOS
Ever wonder what would happen if the tight regulations of racing sanctioning bodies were lifted, and the cars could be turned up to 11? That’s the notion Ford and automotive engineering company Multimatic have brought to life in the Ford GT MkII. This track-use-only car, of which only 45 will be produced, is an exercise in finding the absolute limit of a production car’s racing potential. This car was debuted yesterday at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The GT MkII joined the 2016 Le Mans winning racecar for a run at the British hillclimb event. This MkII is completely unhinged. Ford, in partnership with Multimatic, have used the knowledge gained in FIA and IMSA WeatherTech endurance racing to develop the MkII into a monster that does not adhere to any rules other than the laws of physics. “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 3.5L Ecoboost engine makes 700hp, which is 200 more than the Le Mans car. both cars share the same seven-speed, dual clutch transmission; only this one is calibrated for optimal track use. A high-capacity air-to-air intercooler, coupled with a temperature-controlled water spray system, cools the charge air forced through engine.
The aerodynamics are also augmented with a newly designed wing, front splitter and diffuser all working in unison to produce 400 percent more downforce than the Ford GT and help this Michelin Pilot Sport GT racing tires to hang on during 2.0g turns.
The cheapest (and arguable most effective) way to go fast is with weight savings. Despite its $1.2 million price tag, the MkII adheres to this staple racing belief. The adjustable ride control modules alone saved more than 200 pounds and made room for static, adjustable DSSV suspension for the track. The brakes were taken from the street-bound GT. The 15.5-inch front and 14.1-inch rear carbon-ceramic Brembos offer more stopping power than the track car and were used in leu of the regulation endurance brakes.
Sparco goodies adorn the cockpit along with a MoTeC data acquisition system. Like the race team, any and all information drivers want to know can be displayed, and it has a backup camera function built in. In the off-chance you need reverse, aside from pulling out of the garage or pit area, there’s no way you’re seeing anything behind you.
This car is spectacular for a few reasons, but aside from being an engineering marvel, it is historically significant. Since the beginning, Ford’s GT, in all its iterations has been a highly experimental and cutting-edge piece of machinery, the sole purpose of which was to dominate racetracks. Over half a century later, these principles still apply to the GT nameplate and this new MkII even more so. If a GT is going to carry the MkII moniker and livery, it better blow the doors off of anything else on track, just like the original car did at Le Mans when it showed the world what it could do. This is one of the most beautifully designed cars in the exotic segment right now, but given the GT’s history, we’re hard pressed to not talk about it. Sure, it’s a far cry from a backyard grudge car, or garage-built restoration, but this new MkII is a modern tip-of the hat to a time when the big Blue Oval, turned to a bunch of post-war hot rodders to make history.
SOURCE: HOT ROD