This is the stunning GT Ford will use for its Le Mans return

While the world watched Porsche end Audi’s five year Le Mans winning streak over the weekend, the members of Ford racing team were undoubtedly looking forward to this time next year. That’s when it’ll return to the race with a brand new, ridiculously good-looking GT.

The car, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Dearborn-based manufacturer’s overall win, will compete in the Le Mans GT Endurance class for professional teams and drivers (LM GTE Pro).

Based on the new GT supercar, also set for release in 2016, the car will run the full 2016 schedules of the FIA World Endurance Championship and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, making its competition debut in January 2016 in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Florida.

The two Ford teams will be operated by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS). Both series teams intend to compete with a four-car effort at Le Mans. At this stage, no drivers have been announced.

Set to feature a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, Ford says that the racing GT is crucial for innovation in the consumer space. “The Ford GT race car features a number of innovations Ford believes will not only make it competitive in LM GTE Pro, but ultimately positioned to provide benefits to each vehicle in the Ford lineup,” it says. “These include state-of-the-art aerodynamics to deliver outstanding levels of downforce for improved stability with minimal drag, advanced lightweight composites featuring carbon fiber for an exceptionally rigid but light chassis, and the power and efficiency of EcoBoost technology”.

Consumers be damned, having Ford back at Le Mans is worthwhile in and of itself.