- Ford has revealed a really particular model of the Mustang known as the GTD.
- It has a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 engine, energetic aerodynamics, and quite a few different track-oriented modifications.
- It’s going to price round $300,000 and shall be in-built restricted portions beginning subsequent 12 months.
After seeing the clay mannequin of the Ford Mustang GT3 race automotive within the design studio, Ford Chief Govt Officer Jim Farley determined the Blue Oval wanted to show it right into a highway automotive. Constructed from a want to win Le Mans with a Mustang, the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is basically the street-legal model of Ford’s upcoming racer that is because of debut on the 24 Hours of Daytona earlier than heading to Le Mans.
Unhindered by racing guidelines, the GTD avenue automotive could have extra energy (roughly 800 horsepower) and energetic aerodynamic options which might be unlawful within the sequence Ford will race the Mustang GT3 in. Ford plans to construct the street-legal GTD in restricted numbers and it intends for this tremendous ’Stang to tackle one of the best monitor automobiles on the earth.
As Farley places it, “It’s for AMG Black, Aston Martin, Porsche GT3 RS. We wish to beat it [the GT3 RS] at Le Mans, however we [also] wish to beat it as a avenue automotive.”
Ford Efficiency + Multimatic = Mustang GTD
Designed and engineered by Ford Efficiency and Multimatic, the GTD begins life as a body-in-white run-of-the-mill Mustang that leaves the mannequin’s Flat Rock, Michigan plant and heads north towards Multimatic’s manufacturing facility within the Canadian province of Ontario. From there, the rear of the Mustang shell undergoes surgical procedure to suit the GTD’s transaxle, which comprises a Tremec eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle. A transaxle cooler mounted onto the trunk lid chills the gearbox. Ford tells us there’s nonetheless some trunk area below the transaxle-cooler’s ducting and radiator, however we didn’t get to see it.
Becoming a transaxle that connects to the front-mounted engine by way of a carbon-fiber prop shaft shifts the stability of weight rearward. Ford claims the GTD has an almost 50/50 front-rear stability, which compares fairly favorably to the Mustang Shelby GT500’s 56.6/43.4 % distribution.
The automaker is holding the GTD’s closing weight below wraps in the intervening time. Apart from aluminum door skins, carbon-fiber types the remainder of the bodywork.
Earlier than you ask, uncovered carbon-fiber panels (as on the GT supercar) are into consideration. Nonetheless, such an choice could in the end show too sophisticated and costly.
The Secretariat of Ford Mustangs
Little doubt, the GTD shall be fast. Motivation comes courtesy of a barely modified model of the Shelby GT500’s supercharged 5.2-liter V-8. In GTD guise, the blown bent eight should make round 800 horsepower—up from the GT500’s 760 horsepower—and redline at 7500 rpm.
A dry-sump oil system ought to enable the engine to maintain all eight cylinders sufficiently lubricated on the monitor. Even with this addition, the engine maintains the identical mounting place because the GT500. An out there titanium exhaust made by Akrapovic blows sizzling air out of two giant pipes that protrude from the rear fascia.
We assume the GTD features a launch-control system so it may possibly benefit from the traction offered by the mammoth 345/30ZR-20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rear tires. Up entrance, Ford suits the GTD with 325/30ZR-20 rubber, among the many widest tires we are able to recall seeing match to the entrance finish of a manufacturing automotive.
A bespoke suspension makes the a lot of the rubber’s grip. Multimatic’s adaptive spool-valve (ASV) dampers pair with a brand new unequal-length control-arm entrance suspension, whereas the rear finish incorporates a pushrod-style multilink setup that works with inboard-mounted ASV dampers and coil springs.
Cast aluminum wheels come commonplace, however even lighter solid magnesium wheels are optionally out there to additional cut back unsprung weight. Large carbon-ceramic brake rotors disguise behind the GTD’s wheels. Devoted cooling ducts assist preserve the entrance rotors from overheating.
GTD Brings the Wing
With the push of a button, the GTD’s physique drops roughly 1.6 inches with a purpose to benefit from its aerodynamic bundle. The huge wing hanging off the C-pillar is an elective additional and it is resulting from include a hydraulically managed energetic drag-reduction system (DRS) to extend downforce when needed.
Strain-reducing vents within the entrance fenders and hood seem like items pulled from a devoted Le Mans racer. For these wanting essentially the most excessive aero bundle, Ford will supply a carbon-fiber underbody that comes with hydraulically actuated, energetic entrance flaps.
In particular person, the GTD is shockingly large, with aggressive fender sculpting. The four-inch wider monitor, aggressive stance, and improved proportions of the roughly $300,000 Mustang variant made the Shelby GT500 that Ford parked close by seem like Danny DeVito to the GTD’s Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The tinted glass of the prototype automobile restricted our view of the inside. However, we caught sight of the most recent Mustang’s giant gauge cluster and infotainment screens, in addition to a pair of racing-style Recaro entrance seats. There aren’t any rear seats. Befitting its large wing, the GTD’s choices menu features a 3-D–printed rotary shifter and shift paddles comprised of the titanium elements of a Lockheed Martin F-22.
Manufacturing of the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD remains to be greater than a 12 months off, with the Blue Oval planning to construct between 1000 and 2000 examples of this mighty Mustang. We’re positive Ford will promote each final one.
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Tony Quiroga is an 18-year-veteran Automotive and Driver editor, author, and automotive reviewer and the nineteenth editor-in-chief for the journal since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Automotive and Driver since age six. “Rising up, I learn each difficulty of Automotive and Driver cowl to cowl, generally three or extra instances. It is the place I wished to work since I may learn,” Quiroga says. He moved from Car Journal to an affiliate editor place at Automotive and Driver in 2004. Through the years, he has held practically each editorial place in print and digital, edited a number of particular points, and in addition helped produce C/D’s early YouTube efforts. He’s additionally the longest-tenured take a look at driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia Worldwide Raceway’s Grand Course greater than 2000 instances over 12 years.
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