Engineered independent of race series rules, regulations and limitations, the Ford GT MKII, a limited-edition track only GT, represents the next stage in GT performance.  That’s the first reason for the $1.2-million sticker price.  The second reason may have something to do with the 700 hp 3.5-liter engine, competition-oriented handling, and race-proven aerodynamics.  The GT MKII joins the ranks of the GT race car that won the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Ford GT Supercar.

According to Hau Thai-Tang, chief product development and purchasing officer at Ford, “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.”  

Production

Created by Ford Performance and Multimatic, performance innovations and improvements on the GT MKII include aerodynamic enhancements for added downforce, further weight savings and chassis updates for better handling, and increased engine power.  Limited in production to just 45 vehicles, the life of the MKII begins at the main Ford plant.  It is then turned into the Ford GT MKII by Multimatic Motorsports in Markham, Ontario. Revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in early July 2019, the Ford GT MKII will be sold directly to customers through Multimatic.   

Design

The Ford GT MKII shares key features with both the street-legal GT supercar and the GT race car.  The front fascia and hood of the MKII are similar to the street car, for one.  A roof-mounted intake has been added to the MKII to feed auxiliary engine, clutch and transmission coolers.  This gives the MKII optimal cooling for the most extreme track day duty.

The large dual-element rear wing exceeds what the Ford GT race car offers in terms of downforce. A front racing splitter and diffuser along with new fender louvers and dive planes have been added to help balance the extra rear downforce.

Engine

The 3.5-liter engine powers both the Ford GT race car and the road car, but the MKII is able to generate 200 hp more than the race car.  That makes the MKII the most powerful version of the Ford GT. 

Adding stamina to power, the GT MKII includes innovative engine cooling technology with a high capacity air-to-air outboard mounted charge air cooler. A water spray automatically activates in high temperatures by applying atomized water on the charge air cooler. This allows the Ford GT MKII to maintain a consistent level of power at high temperatures.  The engine is paired with the same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission from the Ford GT, specially calibrated for this track-exclusive application.

Increased engine power is paired with improved stopping power in the MKII.  Braking performance goes beyond that of the GT race car by using the street car’s carbon-ceramic brakes; 15.5-inch front and 14.1-inch rear.   

Features

Aggressive aerodynamic improvements enable the GT MKII to generate over 400% more downforce than the Ford GT.  Fixed aerodynamic elements along with its race-proven suspension enable the car to pull more than 2Gs of lateral grip.  The GT MKII is also lighter and more agile. The street car’s adjustable ride height and drive modes have been removed, providing a weight savings of over 200 pounds.  Five-way adjustable DSSV shock absorbers work with a lowered and fixed ride height to improve handling and keep the MKII as aerodynamically efficient as possible.

Interior changes include a bespoke racing seat with a six-point racing harness and an optional passenger seat. A full MoTeC data acquisition system provides vital information for a track racer and doubles as a display for the rear camera.

“The true off-the-hook performance capability of the GT hasn’t yet been fully showcased,” Larry Holt, Chief Technical Officer at Multimatic said.  “The MKII answers the regularly asked question of how would the car perform with all the limitations lifted: the answer is spectacularly.”

That’s why the Ford GT MKII costs $1.2 million.