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- The Ford GT Mk IV is the final special edition of the third generation Ford halo car. Sixty-seven hand-built models of this track-only GT will be produced.
- Only approved clients will be able to afford the $1.7 million starting price, with Ford planning to select buyers in the first quarter of 2023 and deliveries in late spring.
- The Mk IV featured a longer wheelbase, a racing gearbox, a redesigned body, and a larger-displacement engine targeting more than 800 horsepower.
The Ford GT Mk IV was the last special edition GT in a year that seemed endless in the number of special editions and Ford GTs being shipped. In August 2021, Ford came out with a 1964 prototype-themed livery to honor the final year of GT production. Then in February 2022, Ford paid tribute to the Mk I prototypes of the ’60s with a special red, white and gold model. Next came the Holman Moody Edition celebrating Ford’s historic 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966. As recently as October, Ford released its racing-inspired LM send-off version of the GT as a nod to winning class 2016 car .
The special edition announced today looks wild enough to make every previous GT look about as mundane as the squadron of Camrys you passed on your way home from work yesterday. Unlike other special-edition send-offs, the Mk IV is a track-only car that gets dedicated upgrades on top of visual changes.
Ford increased the displacement of the twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and is now targeting more than 800 horsepower compared to the standard GT’s 660 hp. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission from the standard car has been replaced with what Ford describes as a “proper racing gearbox.” The original suspension has been replaced with Multimatic’s Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) suspension. As a track car, the standard road siped tires aren’t really needed and appear to have been replaced with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport racing slicks wrapped around the center-locking wheels.
The wheelbase was stretched and fitted with a “longtail” carbon-fiber body; in fact, the carbon body was completely reworked for the Mk IV. All the aero elements appear to be dialed up to 11, with a massive front splitter and a set of canards protruding from the front end. At the back, a giant wing is mounted in a fixed position. The full extent of the aerodynamic changes is unclear, but judging by the photos, those changes are very performance oriented.
The large headlights required for roadgoing GTs have been replaced by minimalistic beams that look simple cut into the carbon body. The two channels that normally take up the car’s hood have been replaced by four overlapping vents, a change that drastically changes the look of the front end.
The Mk IV takes its name from the 1967 Le Mans-winning GT Mk IV race car, which remains the only American-built and American-operated car to win Le Mans. Piloted by Dan Gurney and AJ Foyt, the Mk IV led the first 90 minutes of the race, building a four-lap lead by the end of the 24 hours. For that reason, Ford produced only 67 hand-built examples of the Mk IV. Prospective customers will need to apply directly to Ford, and only approved clients will be allowed to purchase the extremely limited car. Pricing starts at $1.7 million, with Ford planning to make selections in the first quarter of 2023, and begin deliveries in the third quarter of 2023.
This isn’t the first modern Ford GT to honor the famous 1967 win at Le Mans; this award goes to this 2017 version. Boy, does Ford love a special editon. But time seems to be running out for Dearborn to make more of these before production ends for the year. Probably.
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