Ford GT Mk IV Shatters Corvette ZR1X’s Nürburgring Lap Record
Record-Breaking Performance
The Ford GT Mk IV has established a new benchmark at the Nürburgring, setting the fastest lap ever recorded by an American manufacturer at the track.
The supercar completed the lap in an impressive 6 minutes and 15.977 seconds, solidifying its position as the third quickest vehicle to conquer the demanding circuit.
Comparison to Competitors
This achievement was made in the Prototype category, the same classification where the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X previously posted a lap time of 6 minutes and 49.275 seconds.
Among cars solely powered by internal combustion engines, the Ford GT Mk IV now stands unrivaled. Only two vehicles, the electric Volkswagen ID.R with a time of 6 minutes and 5.335 seconds, and the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo race car at 5 minutes and 19.546 seconds, have managed faster laps.
Engineering Excellence
Introduced in 2022, the GT Mk IV is Ford’s most extreme track-only model to date. It features a custom carbon-fiber Multimatic chassis, an extended wheelbase, and an aerodynamic long-tail design capable of generating over 2,400 pounds of downforce at 150 mph.
Under the hood lies a specially crafted twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivering over 820 horsepower, surpassing the 660-hp 3.5-liter engine found in the street-legal GT. Each Mk IV carries a price tag near $1.7 million, with Ford having reopened orders for the remaining units last August.
The Ongoing Rivalry
The Nürburgring continues to serve as a proving ground for automotive giants. Following Ford’s Mustang GTD lap record, Chevrolet responded with the ZR1 and ZR1X to reclaim the spotlight. But Ford’s recent feat with the GT Mk IV demonstrates the company’s determination not to relinquish its dominance.
