GT Mk IV

Make
Ford
Segment
Coupe

As of now Ford has admitted to nothing, but there are signs and various hints indicating that it's planning a return to Le Mans racing in 2016. That will be the 50th anniversary of the American automaker's victory at Le Mans with its iconic Ford GT40 Mk II. Last July, Road & Track got wind that Ford was considering a return GT racing with a GTE-spec Mustang project. Although that idea has been scrapped, Ford is apparently still game for GT endurance racing in general.

Coincidentally (or perhaps not), Ford is also at work developing the successor to the Ford GT halo car, which went out of production in 2007. It was a tribute to the original GT40. So what does this all mean? Ford's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans could very well happen at the same time as a GT successor is launched. Contain yourselves. Ford Racing boss Jamie Allison hasn't flat-out denied this plan, so that's something. But R&T predicts a major announcement will be made by Ford at the Detroit Auto Show this January. Could it announce a GT successor? A return to Le Mans? We're hoping for both. Stay tuned.