The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The Ford Maya II EM concept car by Italdesign.
The Ford Maya II EM was the third and final evolution of the Maya concept, developed by Italdesign as part of the Ford GN34 project. Following the success of the original Maya at the 1984 Turin Motor Show, Ford tasked Italdesign with creating a fully functional prototype featuring a longitudinally mounted mid-engine. The Maya II EM was the ultimate refinement of the concept, designed to compete for selection in the GN34 program. Beyond a mere styling exercise, Ford required a working prototype for real-world evaluation. Alongside the Maya II ES, which focused on aesthetics, the Maya II EM was developed as a fully drivable vehicle. Completed in July 1985, it was painted in a striking Ferrari red and swiftly transported to Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn for testing. Compared to earlier iterations, the Maya II EM featured several design modifications. The large, wedge-shaped rear engine cover of the original Maya was replaced with a more functional access panel. The second rear window was removed in favor of three vertical slits, improving cooling and adding a more aggressive look. Powering the Maya II EM was a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Ford-Yamaha V6 engine, producing 300 horsepower. This setup highlighted the adaptability of the Maya concept and Italdesign’s ability to merge cutting-edge engineering with striking design. Despite its advancements, the Maya II EM was ultimately rejected in the GN34 project. Ford instead selected Ghia’s proposal, leading to the cancellation of the Maya concept. Nevertheless, the Maya II EM remains a testament to Italdesign’s innovative approach and the competitive nature of 1980s automotive design.
It’s true: In the ’80s, Ford aimed to make a sultry-looking supercar with better grip and handling than anything else on the road, including the Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach. It would have best-in-class ride quality, easy-to-live-with practicality, and a price tag comparable to a Chevrolet Corvette or Porsche 944. And it came close to reality … before being dropped in favor of an SUV. This is the story of the GN34.
