After seeing a dirt track version of the Ford Mustang GT3 race car at the factory, Ford CEO Jim Farley decided to turn the Blue Oval into a street car. Built with the desire to use the Mustang to win Le Mans, the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is another Ford car scrapped at Daytona 24 hours before heading to Le Mans.
By uncertain racing standards, the GTD car has plenty of power (nearly 800 horsepower) and a design that incorporates dynamic aerodynamics. Ford confirmed this with the Mustang GT3. This big 'Stang should be relegated to the world's best car category.
Designed and built by Ford Performance and MultiMate, the GTD began life as a white Mustang when it left the Flat Rock, Michigan plant and traveled to MultiMate's northern plant in Ontario, Canada. From there, the rear end of the Mustang chassis gets a GTD crossover mated to an eight-speed Tremec dual-clutch transmission. A displacement cooler mounted on the spindle cover cools the transmission. Ford tells us there's still room in the trunk for the transmission and radiator cooling pipes, but we can't see.
Installing a front engine mounted transformer on a carbon fiber propeller shifts the weight balance to the rear. Ford claims the GTD's front-to-rear ratio is closer to 50/50, compared to the Mustang Shelby GT 500's 56.6/43.4 percent split.
The automaker is keeping the GTD's final weight under wraps for now. Apart from the aluminum door trim, the rest is made of carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber panels (like the Super GT) are being considered without you asking. But this option can be very complicated and expensive.
The secretariat has a Ford Mustang
GTD is definitely fast. Power comes from a slightly modified version of the Shelby GT500's 5.2-liter supercharged V8. The GT500's 760 to 800 horsepower in the GTD-trimmed straight-eight should produce a redline of around 7,500 rpm.
A dry sump oil system should keep the engine with enough oil for all eight cylinders in rail. Despite these additions, the engine retains the same layout as the GT500. The existing Akrapovic titanium exhaust receives hot air from two large pipes exiting the rear panel.
We expect the GTD to be equipped with an exhaust system to take advantage of the control of the large 345/30ZR-20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rear tires, which we can recall. , fits the front of the production vehicle.
Adjusted suspension to ensure maximum grip with rubber. MultiMate Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) shock absorbers are combined with a new front suspension with uneven length control arms, while the rear is equipped with multi-link dampers that work with integrated ASV dampers and coil springs.
Forged aluminum wheels are standard, and lightweight forged magnesium wheels are available as an option to further reduce unsprung weight. Large carbon-ceramic brake rotors are hidden behind the GTD wheels. A special cooling dome prevents overheating of the front rotor.
GTD brings wings
At the push of a button, the GTD's body is lowered approximately 1.6 inches to take full advantage of the aerodynamic package. The large C-pillar-mounted wing is optional and will be equipped with a hydraulically controlled Active Drag Reduction System (DRS) to boost downforce when needed.
The front fender and hood vents look like parts from Le Mans racing cars. For those looking for a more extreme aero package, Ford will offer a carbon fiber chassis with active hydraulic front flaps.
Up front, the GTD is wider and more aggressively designed. The four-inch wider track, aggressive stance and fine details of the nearly $300,000 version of the Mustang make the Ford Shelby GT500 parked next to it look like Arnold Schwarzenegger's GTD.
Tinted glass prototypes limit our view of the interior. However, we do see the Mustang's latest dash and floor package, with racing-style Recaro front seats. Without seat back. GTD's optional panels to match the massive wings include 3D printed switches and swapped titanium engine parts from a Lockheed Martin F-22 jet.
Production of the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD has been delayed by more than a year, but the Blue Oval plans to build 1,000 to 2,000 examples of the mighty Mustang. Ford is selling every last bit of hope.
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