Ford GT Pulverizes Corvette Record at Nürburgring
The iconic American supercar has not only reclaimed the title of the fastest U.S. car but has also set multiple new benchmarks. Earlier this week, rumors suggested that Ford was preparing to return to the Nürburgring Nordschleife to reclaim the lap record from Chevrolet, whose Corvette ZR1X previously completed the circuit in 6:49.275 minutes.
Those rumors have now proven true. Nearly 60 years after the legendary Ford GT40 dominated endurance racing and a decade after the modern Ford GT’s Le Mans success, Ford has unleashed the Ford GT Mk IV on the Nürburgring—and it has completely shattered expectations.
The new Ford GT Mk IV recorded a stunning lap time of 6:15.977 minutes, beating the Corvette’s record by around 34 seconds. This makes it the fastest American car ever on the Nordschleife in the prototype category.
A Historic Performance on the Nürburgring
With this achievement, the Ford GT Mk IV becomes the third-fastest vehicle ever recorded on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Only the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo and the VW ID.R have posted faster times.
Among internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, however, the Ford GT Mk IV now holds the outright record, making it the fastest combustion-powered car on the track.
Powerful Engineering Behind the Record
Limited to just 67 units, the Ford GT Mk IV is powered by a specially developed twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine producing over 800 horsepower. The power is delivered through a bespoke racing gearbox.
Key highlights include:
- Extended wheelbase for improved stability
- Multimatic-developed Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) racing suspension
- Carbon-fiber “long-tail” aerodynamic design for maximum downforce
These elements combine to deliver exceptional performance on one of the world’s most demanding race tracks.
Driver Expertise and Precision Handling
The record-breaking lap was driven by Frédéric Vervisch, a Ford factory driver and Nürburgring expert. With multiple victories in endurance racing, including wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Vervisch demonstrated the car’s precision and responsiveness.
He noted that the GT Mk IV responds instantly to steering inputs and inspires confidence, especially in challenging sections like Flugplatz and Fuchsröhre.
Ford’s Ongoing Nürburgring Program
This achievement is part of Ford’s broader testing and development program at the Nürburgring. The company regularly uses the track to push various vehicles to their limits.
Recent lap times highlight this strategy:
- Ford F-150 Lightning SuperTruck: 6:43.482 minutes
- Ford Transit SuperVan 4.2: 6:48.393 minutes
- Ford Mustang GTD: 6:52.072 minutes
Insights from these tests are expected to influence future Ford performance and production vehicles.
The Ford GT Mk IV is more than just a track machine—it represents the pinnacle of American performance engineering. With record-breaking speed, advanced technology, and limited production, it stands as a true benchmark in the world of high-performance cars.
For more details, visit the official website:
👉 Ford Official Website
