Ford unveils Mustang GT4 04 | 11 | 2016
FORD HAS REVEALED an GT4 race version of its Mustang in Las Vegas. The Mustang GT4, powered by a 5.2-litre V8 and which has been built to race in both Europe and the States, builds on the highly successful Shelby GT350R-C that won IMSA’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge this season.
A joint development with race preparation specialist, Multimatic — as has been the case with the GT350R-C and the Le Mans-winning Ford GT — the Mustang GT4 has been developed from the outset with customer, not factory race teams in mind.
“This car will enable us to run a customer racing programme worldwide,” Dave Pericak, director of Ford Performance, said. “We wanted to get this to market as quickly as we could. We’ve already tested it on track and in the wind tunnel; we’re extremely happy with its performance and it’ll be homologated early next year.
“As the Mustang nameplate continually expands its presence in markets throughout the world, so does our relevant motorsport presence.
“The Mustang GT4 is equipped to compete and win on tracks around the globe, and we expect it to be as popular with racers as its production sibling is with consumers.”
The Mustang GT4 is equipped with the next generation, naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V8 racing engine specifically tuned for GT4 competition. The race engine was engineered, validated and built by Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines.
A lightweight, compact six-speed Holinger paddle shift transmission delivers proven race durability with direct-pneumatic activation for fast, positive and consistent gear shifts. The GT4 powertrain also carries a dry sump oiling system, ZF-developed twin-plate racing clutch and flywheel.
Ford has yet to confirm the price son the Mustang GT4, but Pericak promises it’ll be “very affordable” and describes early interest from teams as “phenomenal”.
“It’ll be extremely adaptable to different levels of competition, teams and drivers,” he continued. “There will also be a way for people to inexpensively adapt it to endurance racing spec.”
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Jim McGill