Ford GT Competition Series - Built For The Track!

Ford has a history of celebrating its motorsports victories with special edition models. Last year, the '66 Heritage Edition Ford GT was introduced after the Le Mans - LM GTE Pro win. This year, Ford is celebrating their Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona win by giving its customers a taste of the race car with the Ford GT Competition Series. This is a stripped down version of the road car and is built, as per Ford, for the hardcore track enthusiast. It will be available in North America for all announced production years but in a limited number. The Ford GT Competition Series will also be seen at the Daytona 500 this weekend.

Ford's primary focus with this car has been on weight reduction and aerodynamics as they have not played around with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine which produces 647PS of power. Weight has been primarily reduced from the upper body panels to bring the centre of gravity further lower and closer to the tarmac. This will result in better stability and grip of the car in high speed corners. All performance features from the standard production car remain, including the FIA-certified steel roll cage and active aerodynamic system.

Losing Weight

To begin with, the standard engine cover has made way for an acrylic engine hatch cover with a manual latch and carbon fibre prop rod, which reduces weight from the rear. Also, the glass cover on the engine has been replaced by bulkhead Gorilla Glass which is about half as thick – and lighter – as on other models. The weight-reducing options like the performance-enhancing carbon fibre wheels, and titanium lug nuts and exhaust - which were optional on the GT, are standard on the Competition Series. And as this was not enough for Ford engineers, non-essential parts like the air conditioning, music player, speakers, storage bins and cupholders have also been given the boot.

Looking The Part

To make the Competition Series stand out from a 'regular batch' of Ford GTs, it gets carbon fibre racing stripes, A-Pillars, side mirrors, exposed carbon fibre lower body trim and an engine hatch with integrated venting to give it a distinct rear profile. The Competition Series can be had in six exterior shades - Shadow Black, Frozen White, Ingot Silver, Liquid Blue, Liquid Grey and Triple Yellow.

Inside, the Competition Series Ford GT gets an F1-styled steering wheel with key functional controls and fancy 'Ebony Alcantara suede' on the seats, instrument panel and headliner. Also, there are exposed carbon fibre accents on the console and anodised red paddle shifters.

Although the Ford GT Competition Series loses essential comfort features, it improves on its true nature of being an insane track machine. With a limited run, we are sure buyers will value the exclusivity of the model more than the comfort features. Because, the ones who can afford the Ford GT Competition Series will surely have a few extra bucks lying around to get a separate car for 'comfort and convenience'.

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