As Ford Authority recently reported, magnesium wheels are available as an option on the all-new, Nurburgring-dominating Ford Mustang GTD, which is a notable feature for a number of reasons. It isn’t often that we see this exotic, lightweight material offered in that capacity, but a machine as capable as the Mustang GTD certainly warrants it. However, with Ford Mustang GTD deliveries already underway, it seems as if customers who opted for magnesium wheels on their rides won’t be getting them – at least, not immediately.
That’s because the Ford Mustang GTD magnesium wheels have been delayed, Ford Authority has learned from sources familiar with the matter. However, some GTD units that were ordered with magnesium wheels will be shipped and delivered to their new owners with aluminum wheels instead. Once the magnesium wheels do become available, Ford will swap those aluminum wheels with the appropriate mags.
There’s currently no ETA on when this might happen, but Ford Authority has learned that the delay is due to a supply-side limitation, which will be resolved before year’s end. Owners that plan to take their GTD to the track will certainly be keeping tabs on that development, as the magnesium wheels are much lighter than even aluminum wheels (around 33 percent, in fact), and are designed to provide “an excellent strength-to-weight ratio that’s ideal for the demands of racing,” according to The Blue Oval itself.
The Mustang GTD magnesium wheels are part of the optional Performance Package, which removes some sound deadening from the car to further shed weight, and it also adds a unique front fascia with carbon fiber dive planes and a large splitter, lightweight half shafts, lightweight carpeting, underbody aero flaps, and a Formula 1-style DRS active aero rear wing paired with a carbon fiber rear diffuser. As for the wheels, they help to further shed weight and work in conjunction with that model’s carbon fiber bodywork to reduce its overall mass – as well as rotational mass.
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Not surprising to hear…