The $330,000 Ford Mustang GTD has garnered two main complaints: “That’s barely even a Mustang” and “Why would you spend that much money on a Mustang?” Opinions on Ford’s 815 horsepower Nürburgring slayer are divided, with some questioning if it’s truly a Mustang. To understand the GTD, I drove it around a track and spoke with engineers from Ford and Multimatic, the racecar engineering company collaborating on the project. What I discovered was both strange and fascinating.
The Ford Mustang GTD aims to be the pinnacle of Mustang performance. Ford’s goal was not just to build the fastest Mustang around the Nürburgring but to create the fastest Mustang, leveraging insights from the company’s GT3 race car. This focus helps explain the extreme measures taken in the car’s construction.
The journey of the Ford Mustang GTD begins with a standard black Mustang body from Ford’s Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant, which is then sent to Multimatic in Canada for extensive modifications. Contrary to popular belief, the GTD doesn’t have a full carbon fiber body. Its structure is mainly steel, similar to a standard Ford Mustang EcoBoost.
Once at Multimatic, the transformation begins with plasma cutters, modifying the body to meet Ford’s performance goals, particularly achieving a sub-7 minute Nürburgring lap time. This extensive modification includes widening the car to accommodate enormous tires and enhance aerodynamics and suspension design. To achieve these goals, Ford and Multimatic tweaked several elements: increasing power, reducing weight, optimizing aerodynamics, and refining the suspension design.
Mustang GTD: Dividing opinions
The main competitor was the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a smaller and lighter car. The GTD aims to demonstrate the capability of their pony car, bridging the gap between racing and road cars, and pushing Mustang performance to new heights.
The Mustang GTD features a track width that demands massive tires: 345mm-wide Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2Rs at the back and 325mm in front, possibly the widest production car tires ever. The wider track reduces load transfer, which improves overall grip by ensuring more even tire loading during cornering. To fit these wide tires, Multimatic installed new carbon fiber front fenders and large carbon fiber rear quarter panels, slicing off the original panels with plasma cutters.
The modifications are seamlessly integrated into the car’s structure, enhancing both performance and aesthetics. One of the standout features of the Mustang GTD is its pushrod rear suspension, visible through a window behind the driver’s seat. This setup was necessary to accommodate the wide tires and improve grip.
Unlike the standard Mustang’s upright suspension, the GTD’s suspension is designed for performance, with inboard coilovers activated by pushrods. To integrate this system, the rear trunk floor of the Mustang’s body was cut out to fit the eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle and new rear pushrod suspension. In creating the Mustang GTD, Ford and Multimatic have pushed the boundaries of what a Mustang can be.
With 815 horsepower, advanced aerodynamics, and a sophisticated suspension system, the GTD is a testament to innovative engineering and performance. Whether or not it’s “barely a Mustang,” it stands as a remarkable achievement in automotive engineering, showcasing the potential and versatility of Ford’s iconic pony car.
