Ford Mustang GTD: A Road Engineering Masterpiece Inspired by the Racing Mustang GT3

Ford Performance sports division proudly unveiled the fastest road-going Mustang ever, co-designed with Canadian firm Multimatic and very different from all other versions of the pony car. The Mustang GTD will be a limited edition, starting at $300,000.

We have never seen such technically sophisticated Mustangs: before, the coolest versions of the pony car proudly bore the Shelby name and offered huge power up to 1318 hp, but the capabilities of these cars on the track are limited by the «common» chassis. The Ford Mustang GTD is a completely different story, the chassis was actually redesigned for it, and the standard body was radically redesigned. A significant part of the engineering work was carried out by specialists from the Canadian company Multimatic, a long-time partner of Ford, it was at the Multimatic factory in Markham (Canada, Ontario) that the latest generation Ford GT supercar was produced, and the final assembly of the Ford Mustang GTD will also take place here.

1/6 2/6 3/6 4/6 5/6 6/6The abbreviation GTD stands for Grand Touring Daytona — this is one of the classes of the North American IMSA racing championship, the GTD class corresponds to the international GT3 class. The Mustang GTD was built with an eye on the already existing GT3 racing version of the seventh generation Mustang, but overall, the road-going Mustang GTD is an original machine that uses solutions that are impossible in the Mustang GT3 due to regulatory restrictions, such as active aerodynamics. The angles of attack of the rear wing and flaps behind the front splitter are controlled by hydraulic pushers on electronic command.

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The suspension of the Mustang GTD is completely new, with energy-intensive adaptive Multimatic ASV (Adaptive Spool Valve) shock absorbers capable of changing ground clearance — in Track racing mode, the body drops by 40 mm. The track of the Mustang GTD has been increased by about 100 mm compared to the standard Mustang GT. In front, the MacPherson-type suspension was replaced by double wishbones of unequal length, and at the rear there was a new “multi-link” push-rod type on a massive composite subframe. You don't need to worry about the trunk, the Mustang GTD simply doesn't have one, and the trunk lid has been redesigned to accommodate the transmission cooling system.

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For the sake of perfect weight distribution (50:50), the Mustang GTD gearbox is assigned to the rear axle — this is an 8-speed Tremec DCT type automatic (with two clutches), adapted for long-term operation at extreme loads, hence the developed liquid cooling system with a large external radiator and two fans. The engine is a further evolution of the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 Predator, on the Mustang GTD it received a more efficient cooling system, a dry sump lubrication system and a titanium exhaust system with Akrapovic components, the declared output is over 800 hp, the maximum speed is 7500 rpm Power from the engine to the gearbox is transmitted by a carbon fiber crankshaft.

The stock bodywork for the Mustang GTD has been severely cut and widened, and almost all of the outer plumage, including the underbody elements, is made of carbon fiber. Lightweight 20-inch magnesium alloy wheels are made specifically for this model, and Brembo's large carbon-ceramic brakes hide behind the spokes. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R in 325/30 ZR 20 front and 345/30 ZR 20 rear.

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Unfortunately, the Ford press service did not publish photos of the Mustang GTD interior, but said that there were no rear seats, and Recaro buckets were installed in front. The trim is suede, leather and carbon fiber, and the gearshift paddles are titanium.

Ford promises that the Mustang GTD will be able to get out of 7 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife — which is certainly cool, but I wonder if it can break the record of the closest analogue, the front-engined Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series: 6 min 48.047 s.

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The exact specifications of the Ford Mustang GTD will announced closer to the start of sales, which is scheduled for late 2024 — early 2025. The estimated price has already been named — $ 300,000, Mustangs have never cost so much before, while some of the above equipment will be offered for a surcharge. The model is declared as a limited edition, but the circulation is not indicated in the press release. Between 1,000 and 2,000 Mustang GTDs will be made, according to Car and Driver magazine.