Click for more.
Ford Performance (NYSE: F) said today that it is about release the third and final wave of production of the Ford GT Mk IV. After nearly a decade of hand assembling every Ford GT of this generation in the same facility, this run will mark the end of this line for the road and race cars.*
“With the majority of the 67 total units produced already in the hands of customers, Ford Performance is now taking orders on the remaining cars. Created in conjunction with our GT racing partner Multimatic Motorsports, the Mk IV boasts technology that exceeds that of most GT race cars and on-track capabilities unimaginable for the street. The Ford GT Mk IV finds itself perfectly placed as a collector car that will be too thrilling to be kept in the garage,” said Mark Rushbrook global director of Ford Performance.
“It isn’t very often that we can turn the engineers at Ford and Multimatic loose and say ‘go for it!’ But that is the kind of freedom you get developing the Ford GT Mk IV. We can do things that the rules won’t permit for the race cars and things we can’t do for the road cars. Our team has put everything into producing the GT Mk IV. We’ll be sad to see the last one roll out of the shop, but happy knowing it’s heading to a very excited customer,” Rushbrook said.
The GT Mk IV has a third generation, EcoBoost 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that is more powerful than the original race car. The 820+ horsepower being generated by the Roush-Yates Engines-built powerplant is also routed through a more advanced clutch and paddle-shifted, six-speed gearbox than the Le Mans-winning drivers used. Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers matched to the car’s advanced suspension that can be tuned by the driver from the cockpit while lapping. There is no need to stop for adjustments. The carbon fiber chassis is shared with the Ford GT and GT Mk II race cars but with a specialized upper roll cage unique to the GT Mk IV.
Generating more than 2400 pounds of down force at 150 mph, the Ford GT Mk IV can corner at more than 3Gs. Ford said this final edition has lapped the same track quicker in the hands of non-professional drivers than the original Ford GT GTLM race car did with the factory race drivers behind the wheel.
“Due to its exclusivity and capabilities, Ford Performance and Multimatic have created an exclusive customer experience to every owner through Multimatic On Track. The private track day includes factory technical and track-side support.
“Owners will also have a thorough shakedown of their personal GT Mk IV by development driver Scott Maxwell before having a lead-follow session to maximize their time in the car. Taking it one step further, each will also have personalized one-on-one coaching from Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsport’s professional driver roster. All of this, plus full engineering, and technical support. Following the day, the Ford GT Mk IV will be thoroughly inspected and readied for the owner’s next on track experience,” Ford Performance said.
“Ford and Multimatic Motorsports have begun the final run of all carbon fiber chassis for the GT Mk IV. An extremely limited number of the mid-engine machines are available and can still be built to the specific requests of buyers at this time , but experience tells us that won’t last long. Inquiries about the Ford GT Mk IV are being taken until October 15,” Ford Performance said.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Production of Ford GT Mk IV Track Day Cars Ending
Click for more.
Ford Performance (NYSE: F) said today that it is about release the third and final wave of production of the Ford GT Mk IV. After nearly a decade of hand assembling every Ford GT of this generation in the same facility, this run will mark the end of this line for the road and race cars.*
“With the majority of the 67 total units produced already in the hands of customers, Ford Performance is now taking orders on the remaining cars. Created in conjunction with our GT racing partner Multimatic Motorsports, the Mk IV boasts technology that exceeds that of most GT race cars and on-track capabilities unimaginable for the street. The Ford GT Mk IV finds itself perfectly placed as a collector car that will be too thrilling to be kept in the garage,” said Mark Rushbrook global director of Ford Performance.
“It isn’t very often that we can turn the engineers at Ford and Multimatic loose and say ‘go for it!’ But that is the kind of freedom you get developing the Ford GT Mk IV. We can do things that the rules won’t permit for the race cars and things we can’t do for the road cars. Our team has put everything into producing the GT Mk IV. We’ll be sad to see the last one roll out of the shop, but happy knowing it’s heading to a very excited customer,” Rushbrook said.
The GT Mk IV has a third generation, EcoBoost 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that is more powerful than the original race car. The 820+ horsepower being generated by the Roush-Yates Engines-built powerplant is also routed through a more advanced clutch and paddle-shifted, six-speed gearbox than the Le Mans-winning drivers used. Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers matched to the car’s advanced suspension that can be tuned by the driver from the cockpit while lapping. There is no need to stop for adjustments. The carbon fiber chassis is shared with the Ford GT and GT Mk II race cars but with a specialized upper roll cage unique to the GT Mk IV.
Generating more than 2400 pounds of down force at 150 mph, the Ford GT Mk IV can corner at more than 3Gs. Ford said this final edition has lapped the same track quicker in the hands of non-professional drivers than the original Ford GT GTLM race car did with the factory race drivers behind the wheel.
“Due to its exclusivity and capabilities, Ford Performance and Multimatic have created an exclusive customer experience to every owner through Multimatic On Track. The private track day includes factory technical and track-side support.
“Owners will also have a thorough shakedown of their personal GT Mk IV by development driver Scott Maxwell before having a lead-follow session to maximize their time in the car. Taking it one step further, each will also have personalized one-on-one coaching from Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsport’s professional driver roster. All of this, plus full engineering, and technical support. Following the day, the Ford GT Mk IV will be thoroughly inspected and readied for the owner’s next on track experience,” Ford Performance said.
“Ford and Multimatic Motorsports have begun the final run of all carbon fiber chassis for the GT Mk IV. An extremely limited number of the mid-engine machines are available and can still be built to the specific requests of buyers at this time , but experience tells us that won’t last long. Inquiries about the Ford GT Mk IV are being taken until October 15,” Ford Performance said.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.