The Ford Mustang GTD is built to attack both the racetrack and the street. Just barely street-legal, the Mustang GTD boasts a complex lineup of track-ready upgrades that set it apart from the “regular” Mustang herd, including some shark-like fender vents. Ford Authority takes a closer look at those vents, including how they help the Mustang GTD in demanding situations.
Arcing over the tops of the front wheels, the Mustang GTD fender vents extend toward the doors, not only leading the eye across the pony’s bodylines, but offering up several advantages. Of course, said vents exist to improve airflow, mitigating heat buildup from the engine bay and front brakes. They help increase pressure drop across the radiator, making the pony car’s cooling system more efficient. They also help keep the brakes cool, improving braking performance on the track at high speeds.
In addition, the Mustang GTD fender vents give wheel well pressure somewhere to go, drawing it away from the wheel wells and reducing lift and drag. This helps create downforce, preventing the front end of the Mustang GTD from rearing into the air at high speeds.
The fender vents are just one piece of the puzzle that makes the Mustang GTD a beast on and off the track. Other standout goodies include its inboard rear suspension, and, of course, its supercharged 5.2L V8.
Ford Mustang GTD buyers had to jump through all sorts of hoops to acquire the blisteringly fast muscle car, starting with an application to be approved by the automaker in the first place. Once approved, they had to place a hefty deposit to secure their spot on the order books – and then shell out for the starting $325,000 price tag, although the track-ready pony can climb well into the $400,000 range if properly optioned out.
Some might consider that a small price to pay for a (technically) street-legal vehicle that can lap Nürburgring in under seven minutes. With 815 horsepower on tap, it’s no surprise that the Mustang GTD appeals to the performance crowd, and is headed for new owners such as big name YouTubers and Hennessey Performance founder and CEO John Hennessey.
Comments
One of our club members has one on order…can’t wait to examine it up close and personal. Larry Holt of Multimatic did a great walk-around several months back explaining in more detail how all the aero aids work, as well as the rear suspension. Pretty damn cool if you ask this Mustang fan!
The mustang GTG is a jewel from of all people Ford. Top of the line beast of all the pony cars. And there are some exceptional cars in their lineage. Well done Ford.
The vents were never for cooling, just like the gills on the GT350 were never for cooling nor the big by huge extractor on the GT500. They are all for venting pressure and reducing lift just like the gills on the GTD (which IIRC reduces lift by 200 pounds).
I hate the way they are trying to make it look like a Porsche 911 GT3 Turbo.
Every bit on that car is there so it can run a sub 7-minute lap at the Nürburgring from the swan neck that supports the rear wing (which help the wing out compared to the older style wing perches) to the fender gills. Why should Ford hobble the car just so nobody can make a comparison to the 911 GT3 and on that front there is no such thing as a 911 GT3 Turbo, that car is called the 911 GT2.