Ford Mustang GTD Supercar Concept Leak Raises Concerns for C8

author: FutureCar Staff    

Leaked one day before its official premiere at Pebble Beach, the Mustang GTD is a wide-bodied pony car with a midship V8 and many other go-faster touches. To debut on August 17, the mid-engine concept was previewed to a handful of select people on August 14 at an event in Las Vegas.

Word has it Ford intends to put said concept into limited production. However, some wonder if the Mustang GTD would cannibalize sales of the Blue Oval's other mid-engine model. The answer is no, partly because production of the GT ended in the first half of 2023. Only 18 units were assembled in January, followed by 12 more in February. The final example of the breed is chassis number N260, a superb car specified in Antimatter Blue with red brake calipers. Even if GT production were to continue into the fourth quarter of 2023, nobody would cross-shop a V6-powered supercar against a V8-powered supercar.

The Mustang GTD reportedly features the Coyote V8 engine of the Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse. This is in contrast to the GT, which uses an EcoBoost V6 derived from the 3.5-liter unit available in the F-150. Some enthusiasts believe that the GTD features a front-mid-engine layout rather than a rear-mid-engine layout. This speculation gains more credibility when you notice the vents (a.k.a. heat extractors) in the hood. The air ducts in the rear fenders may be for cooling the rear brakes. The concept is pictured with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rubber, red-painted brake calipers, and intricate-looking wheels. A ginormous rear wing and a similarly huge aerodynamic diffuser complete the aggressive look.

No photos of the interior have been leaked thus far, and based on the heavily tinted windows, there may not be an interior at all, which is typical for a concept car. Rumor has it that Multimatic, the Canadian outfit that built the GT on Ford's behalf, is also tasked with making the GTD. If this rumor proves true, then the GTD would likely have a different platform from the front-engined Mustang. If it were based on the S650, the Ford Motor Company would manufacture the GTD on the same assembly line as the S650 at Flat Rock, which has been the Mustang's home since 2004.

Lastly, should the Corvette C8 be worried about the GTD? The answer is likely no. The production version of the GTD will incorporate a lot of carbon fiber, which would put it in a different price bracket from the Corvette. Expect a starting price of at least $200k, not the $100k and change for the Z06 or E-Ray. With all these details in mind, what is your take on the soon-to-be-revealed GTD? While it may be a great addition to Ford's lineup, is it truly worthy of the Mustang badge?

FutureCar Staff