By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    Driving Trade Forward: AfCFTA, AGOA,BRICS and the Tariffs – All On The Menu At Automechanika CEO Breakfast
    May 9, 2025
    Toyota Expands Commitment to Hydrogen Society with Fleet, Infrastructure and Next-Gen System Debut
    April 30, 2025
    Ford is Ready to Tackle the Simola Hillclimb with Over 6 000 Horsepower
    April 30, 2025
    LDV (Maxus as Known in China) Makes a Bold Statement at Shanghai Motor Show
    April 30, 2025
    Upcoming OMODA C3 redefines the crossover with cyber-mecha aesthetics
    April 29, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
    Honda NC750X Named Winner in 2025 Red Dot Design Award
    April 10, 2025
    The Panigale V4 honoured with the prestigious iF Design Award
    March 30, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 12 G/S
    March 29, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    BYD brings new-energy vehicles to Romania
    May 12, 2025
    JAC T9 2.0L CTi BREAKS 24-HOUR SA ENDURANCE RECORD
    May 12, 2025
    Porsche AG continues generational change to its Executive Board
    May 12, 2025
    SEAT S.A. celebrates 75 years
    May 9, 2025
    Lucid Strengthens Leadership Team as Company Prepares for Growth
    May 8, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
    Hyundai Motor Unveils the new IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 6 N Line
    April 5, 2025
    Kia and LG Electronics Partner to Showcase New PBV Concepts for Work and Play
    April 4, 2025
    BMW Group reveals revolutionary electric drive concept with 800V technology for the Neue Klasse
    February 24, 2025
    Audi unveils Q6 e-tron offroad concept
    January 28, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    Enviro Automotive Unleashes Cutting-Edge 4×4 EVs and Unprecedented Price Reductions
    May 9, 2025
    Mercedes-Benz and The Mobility House Launch Europe-Wide Partnership for Smart Home Charging
    May 9, 2025
    Coming soon: the new Volvo XC70
    May 8, 2025
    Isuzu begins production of D-MAX EV pickup truck in Thailand
    May 2, 2025
    Rethinking the way we perceive, design and use electric LCVs with Renault Trafic, Goelette and Estafette
    May 2, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Pole position and podium finish for the BMW M Hybrid V8 again at Laguna Seca
    May 12, 2025
    Alpine scores another podium finish at Spa-Francorchamps 
    May 12, 2025
    Top five result amid challenges for Acura MSR in Laguna Seca
    May 12, 2025
    Another podium at home GP for Fernandez
    May 12, 2025
    Nissan Formula E Team aiming to continue its strong form at home Tokyo E-Prix
    May 12, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    Volvo Trucks takes aerodynamics one step further
    May 12, 2025
    MAN eTGX on the road for BMW factory transport
    May 12, 2025
    Successful together: representatives of the 12 project partners of the ATLAS-L4 project at the closing event in Penzing with Ernst Stöckl-Pukall, Head of the “Digitalization and Industry 4.0” department at the Federal Ministry of Economics (first row, second from right) and Georg Grüneißl, Head of Product Strategy and Planning at MAN Truck & Bus, representing the project consortium leader (first row, center)
    Goal achieved: the driverless truck on the road becomes reality
    May 8, 2025
    Volvo’s gas-powered trucks on the rise – enabling up to 100% CO2 reduction
    May 5, 2025
    Mercedes-Benz Trucks aims to win a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title with eActros 600
    May 2, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    For 2026, Corvette’s new interior elevates driver cockpit design
    May 12, 2025
    All-new Suzuki Dzire is here to please
    May 12, 2025
    Sporty meets efficiency: the new Audi A6 plug-in hybrid models
    May 7, 2025
    THE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM AT 100 YEARS
    May 4, 2025
    Introducing the 2026 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring
    April 16, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    Hyundai Motor Group Delivers Enhanced In-Car Experience Through Equinix Data Centers Globally
    May 8, 2025
    Artificial intelligence as a quality booster
    April 28, 2025
    Kia Introduces AI Voice Assistant to Enhance Connectivity and Driver Experience
    April 16, 2025
    Bentley employs pioneering AI technology in the quest for leather perfection
    April 15, 2025
    Bandai Namco, AirConsole and Volkswagen bring PAC-MAN into the vehicle
    April 15, 2025
Hot News
Volvo Trucks takes aerodynamics one step further
Pole position and podium finish for the BMW M Hybrid V8 again at Laguna Seca
BYD brings new-energy vehicles to Romania
JAC T9 2.0L CTi BREAKS 24-HOUR SA ENDURANCE RECORD
Porsche AG continues generational change to its Executive Board
Latest News

Stellantis Announces Board Composition Change

Bikes

Ducati design stars around the world with the “Diavel V4 Design Nights”

Latest News

Stellantis Begins 2024 with a Great Leap Forward in the European Total and Electrified Markets

Latest NewsTechnology

Hyundai Motor Group Unlocks Digital Key 2 Convenience Feature

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Reviews

NEW FORD STREET-LEGAL PERFORMANCE CAR: MUSTANG GTD

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: August 18, 2023 12:09
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
795 Views
14 Min Read
Share
14 Min Read
SHARE
  • Mustang® GTD is the most audacious and advanced Mustang ever, a limited-edition, street legal performance car designed in parallel with Mustang GT3 race car and ready to take on the world’s best performance cars 
  • Engineered to go like hell: Extensive use of carbon fiber in the body; first-of-its-kind suspension that adjusts spring rate and ride height settings for track or street conditions; active aerodynamics; supercharged V8 with unique dry sump oil system; 8-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle and carbon fiber driveshaft for near ideal weight balance; magnesium wheels; available titanium exhaust; and carbon ceramic brakes combine to create an agile, ultra-high-performance Mustang   
  • Targeting more than 800 horsepower* and a sub-7-minute Nürburgring time, the technology in Mustang GTD goes beyond what’s allowed in racing.  

Deep inside a metal storage garage hidden behind a wind tunnel building in Allen Park, Mich., a handful of team members gathered in 2021 for a new, after-hours mission that on paper felt like an impossible dream: design a Mustang to take on the best of European sports cars. 

The result is a limited-edition, ultra high-performance street legal performance car with the soul of a Mustang.   

- Advertisement -
Ad image

Debuting today is the all-new 2025 Ford Mustang® GTD, a technological tour de force inspired by the Mustang GT3 slated to race in Le Mans next year. Unapologetic in its heritage, unbelievable in its performance, its sculpted mostly carbon fiber wide body and looming rear wing says everything in just a glance. This is like no Mustang ever.   

“Mustang GTD shatters every preconceived notion of a supercar,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “This is a new approach for us. We didn’t engineer a road car for the track, we created a race car for the road. Mustang GTD takes racing technology from our Mustang GT3 race car, wraps it in a carbon fiber Mustang body and unleashes it for the street.”    

Every precision part of Mustang GTD is purposefully designed. Every form is driven by function. It is designed to do one thing: Go faster around a track with more technology than the race cars it’s based on. Mustang GTD was developed by many of the same people behind Ford’s Mustang race cars and the Le Mans-winning GT. It’s built to be the quickest roadgoing Mustang ever. 

Mustang GTD is planted to the tarmac by astounding downforce from available active aerodynamics and enormous grip from huge tires mounted to an advanced dual ride height short-long arm front and multi-link rear suspension. It stops with authority thanks to carbon ceramic brakes, includes a rear-mounted 8-speed dual-clutch transaxle and lightweight carbon fiber driveshaft for near 50/50 weight distribution. And everything is driven with wicked speed by a symphonic supercharged 5.2-liter V8 targeting and estimated 800 horsepower.   

“We obsessed about the racing technology under its skin. What makes it go is even more compelling than what you can see when it passes you by,” said Mark Rushbrook global director of Ford Performance Motorsports. “When you look at the engineering, the aerodynamics, how the powertrain works, the Mustang GTD is a rocketship for the road.” 

Keeping the Le Mans-winning legacy going    

The Mustang GTD was born from the concept of the Mustang GT3 race car returning to Le Mans next year and will be the pinnacle of the Mustang family that now includes both street-legal and track-only race cars. This family includes the recently revealed Mustang GT4, the Mustang GT3, as well as the upcoming Mustang Dark Horse R spec racer and more. All will carry on the standing of Mustang as Ford’s most raced and most successful nameplate and will prowl streets and tracks all around the globe. The GTD name for this newest Mustang refers to the IMSA “GTD” racing class for cars that are built to FIA GT3 technical regulations. 

“This is our company, we’re throwing down the gauntlet and saying, ‘Come and get it,’” said Farley. “We’re comfortable putting everybody else on notice. I’ll take track time in a Mustang GTD against any other auto boss in their best road car.” 

Designed and engineered as a collaboration between Ford and Multimatic**, which developed the Mustang GT3, Mustang GT4, and Le Mans-winning Ford GT, the Mustang GTD represents the culmination of decades of engineering advancement borne from continuous learning through racing. Crafted with intent and precision, it’s destined to become an iconic part of Mustang and Ford history. 

“Mustang GTD represents the very best of Ford Motor Company and what our team needs to do every day,” said Farley. “This is what happens when we take what we’re good at and push the boundaries to see where the bubble stops. It represents the essence of the transformation we’re going through at Ford, from software to special edition cars.” 

Chiseled to Exploit the Air    

The Mustang GTD design is pure purpose. Every line drives aerodynamic performance at track speed, from the front splitter, vented hood and fenders to the available C-pillar mounted hydraulically controlled active rear wing. 

Mustang GTD takes advantage of the extensive use of carbon fiber body panels to reduce weight, lower center of gravity and improve responsiveness. The fenders, hood, cover that replaces the trunk lid, door sills, front splitter, rear diffuser and roof are all carbon fiber with optional carbon fiber front and rear fascias.    

An available aero package that includes a comprehensive underbody aerodynamic tray is also executed in carbon fiber and includes features pioneered in motorsports racing, as well as some technology that would be illegal in racing, such as hydraulically controlled front flaps to manage airflow for aerodynamic balance in coordination with the active rear wing. 

Where there once was a trunk is now the semi-active suspension, a hydraulic control system, and a transaxle cooling system that uses a race-inspired cover that replaces the trunk lid and includes two air scoops to funnel air off the back glass into the area and through the heat exchangers. 

“Our design team worked in conjunction with the Mustang GT3 design team and the aero team, sharing solutions between race car and road car, and vice versa,” said Anthony Colard, Ford Performance design manager, “This is an aerodynamics-driven design.” 

The combination of purposefully designed aerodynamic features will result in massive downforce balanced across both front and rear axles and will in turn drive corner speeds up, produce consistent control and incredible lap times at some of the world’s most hellish tracks.   

Extreme Performance and Technology    

“The hardware has been carefully selected and developed to enable blistering lap time performance,” said Greg Goodall, Ford chief program engineer, “The target for this project was clear – go much, much faster than we’ve ever gone before with a targeted sub-7-minute Nürburgring time. This makes it the fastest roadgoing Mustang ever from Ford.”  

Mustang GTD utilizes a purpose-developed supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with dual air inlets and the first dry-sump engine oil system fitted to a roadgoing Mustang to help keep the engine lubricated during sustained and demanding cornering. The engine’s more than 7,500 rpm redline generates exceptional notes through the available titanium active valve exhaust system. It’s the highest horsepower street-legal Mustang ever developed by Ford.   

All of that power is sent from the engine to the rear wheels through a carbon fiber driveshaft connected to an 8-speed rear transaxle for near 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear. Lap time drive simulations and powertrain dyno testing led to the selection of the powertrain and transaxle architecture to put power to the ground.  

The Mustang GTD’s exceptional performance is further enhanced by a state-of-the-art semi-active suspension that can vary both spring rates and ride height. The adaptive spool valve damper technology with hydraulically actuated dual spring rate and height suspension provides two unique states which enhance on-road and on-track performance independently. The suspension settings allows for nearly 40 mm lower ride height in Track Mode and overall has a nearly four inches wider track than the Mustang GT. 

A short-long arm front suspension provides enhanced lateral stiffness and improved kinematics especially in high-G cornering. The rear suspension features an integral link pushrod and rocker arm architecture where the inboard Adaptive Spool Valve shock absorbers and coil over springs are arranged in a horizontal cross pattern and integrated with a strong, stiff, and weight-efficient motorsport-style tubular subframe. The unique architecture creates a motion ratio from pushrod to damper of 1:1 so the car responds precisely to track conditions.   

“We are extremely proud of our work on the Mustang GTD,” said Larry Holt, Executive Vice President, Multimatic Special Vehicle Operations. “It showcases our state-of-the-art DSSV spool valve suspension technology, with features not even allowed in racing. The Mustang GTD sets a new benchmark for roadgoing racers, and we can’t wait for clients to experience the thrill of driving it.”   

Road grip and cornering stability for the Mustang GTD come from 325 millimeter in width front tires – as wide as the rear tires of Ford GT – while the rear are 345 millimeters, these are mounted on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels or available forged magnesium wheels. The magnesium wheels offer the ideal combination of weight and durability and with a similar design to the Mustang GT3 race car.   
    
Behind those wheels are massive BremboTM carbon ceramic brakes, which are optimized for heat rejection leading to harder, more consistent stopping further into the braking zone. Rear brake heat is shed with the aid of cooling ducts mounted below the rear suspension.    

Mustang GTD features technology new to Ford with Variable Traction Control in track mode. This allows the driver to push the limits of the car by modulating engine output and traction control intrusiveness. Adjustments can be made without taking hands off the wheel, allowing the driver to match track conditions to their driving ability.    

Embracing the future of automotive technology, the Mustang GTD utilizes an advanced electrical architecture leveraged from the new seventh-generation Mustang, helping to offer seamless connectivity, a myriad of personalized driving modes, and over-the-air software updates. 

These technologies work in perfect harmony, designed for unparalleled handling and control. Whether mastering track after track or driving some of the world’s best roads, the Mustang GTD will offer an exhilarating and dynamic driving experience. 

Cabin Space    

The cockpit features are finished in premium materials including Miko suede paired with leather and carbon fiber, while digital displays keep drivers engaged and in full command. RECARO® seats optimized for track days are complemented by available 3D-printed titanium paddle shifters, rotary dial shifter and serial plate, all made from retired Lockheed Martin F-22 titanium parts. The rear seating area has been removed to reduce weight and provide cargo space.     

Mustang GTD will be available with multiple interior color combinations and in several special option packages that take the exterior to another level. The car can also be ordered in any color, even color-matched to a customer-provided sample. These customizable options allow buyers to personalize their example should they choose to make it entirely unique.    

The end result is an unmistakable presence, as close to a race-ready Mustang GT3 for the street as possible.    

Production of Mustang GTD will be limited. It will start life at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant and then be transported to Multimatic facilities in Markham, Canada, where it will be handcrafted for racing-inspired precision by the Ford Performance and Multimatic teams. Mustang GTD will be available in late 2024, early 2025.

TAGGED:FordMustang GTD

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Latest News

John Lawler of Ford Motor Company Joins ACEA Board

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 5, 2025
Reviews

ALL-NEW FORD TRANSIT COURIER BOOSTS COMPACT VAN PRODUCTIVITY

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 16, 2024
Latest News

FORD ADDS THIRD CREW TO MEET DEMAND FOR BRONCO AND RANGER

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 24, 2024
Electric Vehicles

MASS PRODUCTION OF NEW ALL-ELECTRIC FORD EXPLORER STARTS

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
June 4, 2024
Motosport

FORD AND RTR VICTORIOUS AT FORMULA DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
October 18, 2023
Latest News

NEXT-GENERATION FORD RANGER LINE-UP EXPANDS 

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
April 4, 2023

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner