The Mustang GTD: The Ultimate Muscle Car Alongside the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic and beloved American Cars ever made. However, unlike the Corvette and its once-core rivals, the Mustang’s recipe has always remained the same. A thumping great V8 up front, drive solely to the rear wheels and simple manual or automatic in the middle. This sixty-year-old icon defines the word muscle car and is currently in its seventh generation. Sitting atop the current Mustang line-up is the $325,000 GTD. A muscle car truly unplugged. Its 5.2L Supercharged “Predator V8” delivers an outlandish 815 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Couple this with the surprisingly light 1586kg body composed of carbon fiber, aluminum, and magnesium and the results are mesmerizing. This rear-wheel drive, an old-school charmer is claimed to achieve 0-62mph in 3 seconds dead and hit a top speed of 202mph. But this car’s party piece doesn’t involve straight lines. Unlike previous Mustangs, this one has been set up to demolish corners. It utilizes an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox to ensure seamless gear changes and Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) dampers to provide exceptional responsiveness in the corners. Most notably the Mustang GTD is equipped with a Drag Reduction System (DRS) like on a Porsche GT3 RS, a McLaren W1, and a Formula 1 car. This adjusts the active ginormous rear wing to optimize downforce and stability at high speeds The GTD then is a very different type of Mustang, not one for blasting down the streets of Detroit but for setting records around the world’s racetracks. The Importance of a Nürburgring Lap Record There’s no higher honor for most manufacturers than to set a sub-seven-minute lap time around the treacherous and technical the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Known as the "Green Hell," this challenging track features countless twists, turns, and elevation changes to put a car’s handling, speed, and durability to the ultimate test. The likes of Lamborghini, Mercedes and most notably Porsche have mastered this treacherous track. At present the fastest American car to lap the Nürburgring is the hardcore and brutal, Viper ACR with a time of 7:01.67. But Ford’s CEO Jim Farley has boldly stated that the Mustang GTD aims to break the seven-minute barrier and smash the Viper’s record. Over the past year Ford have faced many challenges including changing weather conditions that greatly affected their lap times. Nevertheless their perseverance, as shown through the many spy shots at “The Green Hell” circuit shows their dedication to achieving this goal. For with this sub-7-minute time won’t just make the GTD the fastest American car at the ring, but prove once and for all that American cars are serious contenders able to give their European competitors a run for their money. Conclusion: Will the Mustang GTD Achieve Its Goal? In the past had anyone told you a Ford Mustang, let alone any American car could keep up with the finest from Europe you would have laughed and said “Don’t be ridiculous.” But it seems that as of today, America has that one trump card up its sleeve that most European manufacturers seem to lack; “An ambition to achieve.” Hennessey have set multiple track and top speed records with the Venom, Tesla is still atop the EV market and the Corvette ZR1's 233mph top speed makes one question why they need to buy anything else. And Ford’s ambition to get the GTD around the ring in under seven minutes is the cherry on top of this goal-breaking cake. Ford will reveal the GTD’s time later this month. Whilst this car won’t beat the AMG One’s record, the fact they believe it can achieve a sub-7 minute record is a testament to Ford’s dedication to achieve. Ford isn’t just trying to break records, they are making a statement that American cars shouldn’t be underestimated. This race for the Nürburgring sub-seven minute record is just the beginning of a truly thrilling journey. Source: Ford Motor Company YouTube Channel
