The Ford Mustang GTD brings track-ready performance to the ultimate road-going pony car, positioned as one of the most powerful muscle cars to wear the running pony badge. With over 800 horsepower on tap, it’s no wonder that the Mustang GTD made quick work of the Nürburgring, finishing off a lap in under seven minutes, a feat that’s practically unheard of for something that’s not a bonafide supercar. Top Gear recently highlighted the exotic car-killing Mustang GTD on its YouTube channel, showing off the powerful pony in exquisite detail.
Todd Valentine, Ford Mustang GTD Program Manager, gave special insight into the track-focused racer. “It starts off with a 5.2L supercharged V8,” he said. “We’re able to achieve that 800-plus horsepower by really managing the intake and exhaust losses on this vehicle.” This includes a large intake up front and a titanium exhaust out back, helping keep losses to a minimum.
All told, the Ford Mustang GTD packs 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, good for a max speed of 202 mph. The tires, then, are crucial for when the rubber meets the road – quite literally. Traction is imperative, and to achieve a 50-50 weight distribution, an eight-speed DCT transaxle is responsible for relaying all that power. Carbon ceramic brakes keep it all in check and forged mag wheels give it a touch of style and function, and the whole things rides on an adjustable suspension with a togglable ride height mode.
“It turns this thing into a track car,” Valentine said. “It’s the next generation.”
Inside, the Ford Mustang GTD shares a lot of its style with the tamer Mustang variants, including the steering wheel, although it does sport carbon fiber elements. The gearshift paddles are 3D-printed titanium, the materials for which are sourced from decommissioned fighter jets. It comes preloaded with all the togglable drive modes one could want, including Normal, Sport, Custom, Slippery, Dragstrip, and Track, each accompanied with a unique 3D graphic on the driver information screen mounted behind the steering wheel.
Outwardly, the Ford Mustang GTD resembles a race car, particularly the Ford Mustang GT3, as it well should. Ford CEO Jim Farley said he’s itching to get it back out on the Nürburgring for another go just to prove that it’s meant to be there.
Comments
This is a Chevy Corvette competition candidate.
Naw, the GTD was built for one thing, letting Ford be the first US manufacturer to break the 7-minute barrier at the Nürburgring. Its only competitor was a title run against the clock. Since Ford announced they will be getting back into prototype racing at Le Mans in 2027 I doubt the GTD will last more than two years and likely 2500 cars or less will be produced before Ford offers another GT(40).
Excellent video(s) on the GTD. Well done!
Can’t wait to see one in person. Won’t have to wait too long though, our club sponsoring dealership owner has one on order, as well as one of our club members. Maybe late June?