The Ford GT Mk IV is now the fastest American car at Nürburgring. Explore the specs of this record-breaking beast. Read more!
The legendary Nürburgring, often referred to as the “Green Hell,” has a new American king. In a breathtaking display of speed and engineering, the Ford GT Mk IV has officially shattered records, cementing its status as the fastest American vehicle to ever conquer the treacherous German circuit.
A Record-Breaking Performance
On March 2nd, the Ford GT Mk IV completed the challenging 20.832 km lap in a staggering 6 minutes 15.977 seconds. This performance doesn’t just set a national record; it puts the car in an elite global bracket. The Mk IV successfully outperformed the Mercedes-AMG One, which had previously clocked a time of 6 minutes 29.09 seconds in September 2024.
Currently, the Ford GT Mk IV ranks third on the all-time comprehensive list of the fastest lap times, trailing only the purpose-built Porsche 919 Hybrid EVO (5:19.546) and the electric Volkswagen ID.R (6:05.336). For a vehicle based on a production lineage, this achievement is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Man Behind the Wheel
This historic lap was piloted by the seasoned Belgian driver Frédéric Vervisch. Vervisch is no stranger to the Nürburgring, having competed in the grueling 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2019 and 2022. His expertise was further proven in 2025, where he claimed victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona driving the powerhouse Ford Mustang GT3.
Engineering a Masterpiece: Aero and Agility
Developed in close collaboration with Multimatic Motorsports, the GT Mk IV represents the absolute pinnacle of the second-generation Ford GT, which first debuted in 2015. Because the Mk IV was designed specifically for the track and is not bound by street-legal regulations, Ford engineers were able to push the boundaries of physics.
The car features an aggressive aerodynamic package that generates a massive 1,089 kg of downforce once it surpasses 240 km/h. This incredible grip allows the vehicle to carve through corners with lateral acceleration exceeding 3G, providing stability and precision that few cars in existence can match.
Pure Internal Combustion Power
Under the hood, the Ford GT Mk IV is powered by a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo engine, delivering an explosive output of over 820 horsepower.
What makes this record even more significant is that the GT Mk IV is the fastest purely internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle to ever lap the Nürburgring without the assistance of hybrid motors or electric boosters. It is a triumph of traditional combustion engineering in an era of electrification.
A Rare Tribute to Le Mans Glory
The Ford GT Mk IV was created as a tribute to Ford’s legendary victory at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, drawing direct inspiration from the iconic Ford GT40 Mk IV. To maintain its exclusivity and prestige, only 67 units were ever produced.
With a starting price of approximately $1.7 million back in 2022, the Ford GT Mk IV is more than just a car—it is a collectible piece of automotive history and a testament to American racing dominance on the global stage.