When Ford announced the upcoming Mustang GTD in August 2023, it touted that the Mustang GT3-inspired, limited-production model would deliver an “estimated 800 horsepower” and be “the quickest roadgoing Mustang ever.” The wait for the official figures is now over, and it seems Ford wisely chose to under-promise and over-deliver.
To hit their output target for the GTD, Ford Performance’s powermongers made adjustments to the intake and exhaust systems, installed a lightweight titanium exhaust, and went with a smaller supercharger pulley. Those changes resulted in 815 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque – improvements of 55 and 39, respectively, compared to the previous-generation Mustang Shelby GT500. To keep the engine from starving in high-G turns, they also equipped it with the first-ever dry-sump oiling system for a Mustang. Doing that freed up a few more revs, increasing the redline to 7,650 rpm. Power is delivered to the rear 20-inch wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transaxle.
Ford coupled that record-setting power with carbon fiber body panels and a hydraulic Drag Reduction System that can open flaps under the body and adjust the angle of the massive C-pillar-mounted rear wing to make the GTD as efficient and slippery as possible. Flat out, the GTD hits 202 mph.
No official word on how many GTDs Ford will produce, although Car and Driver states it’ll be about 1,000. The lucky few who can afford its expected $300,000 starting price will get their hands on the ultimate factory Mustang late this year or in early 2025.
There’s one more major number we’re still waiting on: the GTD’s Nürburgring lap time. Ford states it’s shooting for under seven minutes, which would put the GTD in the same class as the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, 991 Porsche 911 GT2 with the Manthey upgrade kit, and other European performance cars. Ford stated it designed the GTD to “take on the best of European sports cars.” Time will tell if it can beat them in one of the world’s most grueling performance tests.
Source: www.classiccars.com