The second-generation Ford GT was launched for the 2017 model year as a revival of the limited-edition supercar that the Blue Oval first produced between 2004 and 2006. The modern GT is also a tribute to the original GT40 from the 1960s and marked Ford's return to endurance racing. Following a handful of special-edition model, Ford created the Carbon Series, a lightweight version of the standard GT.

Fitted with an extended range of carbon-fiber parts as standard, including wheels, the Carbon Series is nearly 40 pounds lighter than the regular GT. It also features extra carbon inside the cabin, as well as customized seats and a dashboard badge. Is it more powerful? No, but the fact that it's lighter makes it a more nimble car on the race track.

2019 Ford GT Carbon Series

Specifications
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  • Model: 2019 Ford GT Carbon Series
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What makes the Ford GT Carbon Series special

- Carbon-fiber pillars - Carbon side skirts - Carbon-fiber stripes - New accent colors - Carbon-fiber wheels - Polycarbonate engine hood - New seat upholstery - Unique dashboard badge - Seat cupholder delete - Titanium exhaust system

The Carbon Series looks identical to the regular Ford GT as far as features and body panels go but stands out by means of extra elements finished in bare carbon-fiber and new accent colors.

The wheels are also made from carbon fiber, while the lugnuts are made from titanium, yet another lightweight material.

Even the dual stripes that run across the length of the car over the front hood, roof, rear deck, and wing have a carbon-fiber finish. Combined with the accent stripe, they really make the GT stand out. Speaking of accent stripes, they're part of a new, optional accent package that also includes accent mirror caps and matching calipers. You can order them in silver, orange, red, or blue.

Not only lighter than usual, it also has additional venting on each side of the window, just like a race car.

The carbon-fiber festival continues inside the cabin, where you can find the lightweight composite on the door sills, the center console, and the area beneath and in front of the instrument cluster. Ford also changed the seat upholstery to a new pattern with silver stitching that extends on the headrests. There's matching stitching on the sports steering wheel and anodized paddle shifters with a similar appearance. The unique badge on the dashboard rounds off the visuals.

Beyond this, Ford removed the cup holders on the driver's side seat storage bin to save weight. However, unlike the GT Competition Series model, the Carbon Series retains the radio, SYNC 3 infotainment system, and the air conditioning system. It may seem a bit weird to keep this features given the efforts made to save weight with carbon-fiber, but Ford says it wants to give customers the opportunity to drive their cars to and from the race track in comfort.

Oomph comes from the same twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. The race-derived unit cranks out a whopping 647 horsepower and 550 pound-feet and screams like crazy for 2.8 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. The GT hits a top speed of 216 mph, on par with most modern supercars.

Ford didn't say how many Carbon Series models it plans to produce. but mentioned that it can build one per week. This means production will be limited to around 50 units per year.

No pricing information yet, but expect it to cost well in excess of $500,000. The regular GT starts from around $450,000.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Ford GT.

Read our full review on the 2005 - 2006 Ford GT.

Read our full review on the 1964 - 1969 Ford GT40.