Mustang GTD: Ford's European Worry

author: FutureCar Staff    

Ford has unveiled its new Mustang GTD, a high-performance variant designed to compete with European sports cars. Ford CEO Jim Farley expressed his desire to see Porsche, Aston Martin, and Mercedes "sweat" when faced with the GTD. The car is a road-legal version of Ford's Mustang GT3 and features race-spec engineering.

The GTD name may be misleading for European readers, as it does not refer to a diesel engine. Instead, it is a title derived from motorsports, including the Mustang GT3 and GT4, as well as the IMSA GTD racing class. Under the hood, the GTD boasts a bespoke 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine with a redline of 7500rpm and an active titanium exhaust system. Ford aims to achieve a power output of around 800bhp.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via an eight-speed transaxle gearbox and a carbon fiber driveshaft, maintaining a 50/50 front/rear weight balance. The GTD is equipped with 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes as standard.

The GTD's active aerodynamics include hydraulically-controlled front flaps and an active rear wing, features that would be prohibited in certain racing series. The car also features active suspension with variable spring rates and ride height, which is not allowed in racing. The interior of the GTD includes Miko suede seat upholstery and 3D-printed titanium paddle shifters made from recycled retired F22 Raptors.

However, acquiring a GTD will not be easy. Ford plans to offer the car as a limited-run model and will use an application process similar to that of the Ford GT to select buyers. The starting price for the GTD in the US is $300,000.

FutureCar Staff