SEMA 2019: Ford GT MkII is the Perfect Poster Car

Ford GT MkII has not been modified, but this rare supercar still drew a huge crowd.

The Ford GT MkII might have been the most unique car at the 2019 SEMA Show. This is the same car that the Motor Company has shown off since it was introduced this summer. No changes were made for SEMA, so it is technically a stock car. It is a stock, track-only supercar, but it is still a stock production car. We don’t think that there were any other stock production cars in the show, but of course, this car is special.

The GT MkII was introduced as a display of what Ford and Multimatic could do without any outside limitations. Since this car was not built to participate in any specific racing association, it doesn’t “need” to meet any association rules or guidelines. It is essentially the ultimate production-based Ford GT MkII. Only 45 examples will be built and with a price tag of $1.2-million, the SEMA Show is likely the closest most people will ever get to one.

Ford GT MkII Details

The MkII package for the newest Ford GT begins on the outside. Up front, a huge splitter is joined by multiple dive plans on each corner. Out back, a large diffuser extends from under the car while a huge dual-element wing provides the race-ready look. More importantly, all of these unique aero elements work together to provide 400 percent more downforce than the standard GT. There is also a roof scoop that feeds air to the various cooling systems.

Next, to cut weight, the adjustable ride height system of the production Ford GT has been replaced by fixed springs and 5-way adjustable DSSV shock absorbers. This optimizes the handling capabilities on the track while cutting 200 pounds from the car. A set of Michelin Pilot Sport racing tires come on the lightweight wheels, ready to hit the track.

Finally, the endurance racing version of the Ford GT is limited to 500 horsepower due to the requirements of the sanctioning body. Since the MkII is not limited by any sanctioning body, the engineers cranked the output up to 700 horsepower. That makes this the most powerful GT and the most powerful application of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.

Track-Only Dream Car

The Ford GT MkII is nothing short of amazing, but this is not a car for the average enthusiast. In fact, this isn’t even a car for the wealthy enthusiast. This car cannot be driven on the street, so it can only be displayed or driven on the track. The average Hollywood socialite is more interested in pulling up to the red carpet than taking the checkered flag, leaving only hardcore track enthusiasts to buy this GT.

However, with a price of $1.2-million, the Ford GT MkII is a fairly pricey track toy. It will take a very special buyer who is committed enough to spend that kind of coin on a car that he or she can only ever drive on the track. Meanwhile, the rest of us can drool over it on posters and under the bright lights of the SEMA Show.

Join the Team Speed forums now!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

Facebook   Twitter