The track-only Ford GT Mk IV has delivered a stunning performance at the legendary Nürburgring, setting a new benchmark as the fastest American car ever to lap the circuit. Recording a remarkable time of 6:15.977, the limited-production supercar not only claimed the American record but also secured one of the quickest laps ever achieved by a production-based vehicle at the famous German track.
The lap places the GT Mk IV ahead of rivals such as the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X and ranks it among the top four fastest laps in Nürburgring history. Only the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo and the Volkswagen ID.R have recorded quicker official runs. A legendary 6:11.13 lap set by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 during qualifying in 1983 remains faster still, though it is not counted as an official production-style record because it occurred under race conditions.
Ford’s decision to bring the GT Mk IV to the Nürburgring surprised many observers, especially given that the current-generation Ford GT platform debuted nearly a decade ago. However, the run served as a powerful reminder of the car’s racing heritage, tracing back to the iconic Ford GT40, which famously dominated endurance racing in the late 1960s and secured multiple victories at Le Mans. The modern GT continued that legacy with a class win in international endurance competition during its own racing program.
Developed in collaboration with Multimatic, the GT Mk IV is limited to just 67 track-exclusive units and represents the most extreme version of the Ford GT platform ever produced. Power comes from a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 generating more than 800 horsepower. Combined with its long-tail aerodynamic bodywork, race-derived suspension setup, and competition-grade gearbox, the package delivers extraordinary downforce and circuit performance that enabled the record-setting lap.
The historic run was completed by factory driver Frédéric Vervisch with technical support from Multimatic and Michelin. Despite cold conditions on the day of the attempt, which limited top speed to roughly 193 mph for safety reasons, the GT Mk IV still achieved a landmark result. The performance stands as a dramatic closing statement for the Ford GT program and raises the bar for American performance cars attempting future Nürburgring glory.
