‘A Sophisticated Techno Badass: The New 800+ HP Mustang GTD Is A Le Mans Racer For The Road
Racer, successful gearhead and Ford president and CEO Jim Farley sums up his new Mustang GTD supercar in three words: "sophisticated, wicked techno." Sitting in his personal racing garage in Monterey, California, Farley, 61, talks us through the details of the new 2025 Mustang GTD ahead of the car's public debut during Monterey Auto Week. And like a proud dad, he can't help but explode.
“This car has been in my head for five decades. This is the Mustang we've always dreamed of. A Mustang that can take on Europe's elite Porsche, Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin and make them sweat.
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Two years ago, when Farley made the decision to build a Mustang racer for next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans in the tough GT class, he insisted there had to be a road-legal version. “The idea was to take all the technology developed for the Mustang GT3 race car and add it to a road car that could be offered globally. Yes, other brands do the same, but they remove the technology from their road version. We added more.
One example is the GTD's massive active rear wing with hydraulic actuation and a Formula 1-inspired DRS opening. Farley claims it can add up to 20 mph to the car's top speed in a straight line, significantly increasing cornering support. This is a configuration not permitted in GT class racing.
The GTD itself will begin work at Ford's Mustang Body Plant in Flat Rock, Michigan before being shipped across the Canadian border to Markham, Ontario, home of longtime Ford partner Multimatic. Multimatic has previously assembled the limited-edition Ford GT supercar and is now working on the Mustang GT4 and the upcoming GT3 race cars.
Not much remains of the original Mustang. It features an all-new carbon fiber body that is four inches wider than the Mustang GT. Focusing on aerodynamics, there is a carbon fiber underbody, vented hood and fenders, and hydraulically actuated front flaps to control airflow. Additionally, this rear spoiler is mounted on the car's rear roof pillars (instead of the trunk lid) to apply downforce directly to the rear suspension.
This new GTD is powered by a 5.2-liter supercharged engine based on Ford's 5.0 Coyote V8, but with a motorsport-inspired dry oil system. Farley says the V8's output is still to be determined, but it will produce "at least 800 horsepower." This compares to around 500 horsepower. for the naturally aspirated Mustang GT3.
Farley isn't talking zero to 60 mph (or top speed) just yet, but he does promise the car will lap Germany's famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in under seven seconds. This is faster than the recent times of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and the Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro. "Yeah, we could probably do a lot more with the V6 Ecoboost that we used in the Ford GT," Farley says, "but we're definitely American, and the V-8 gives us the power we need."
To ensure a roughly 50/50 weight balance, the GTD will feature a rear-mounted Tremec eight-speed transmission connected to the fire-breathing mill via a lightweight carbon fiber axle. The GTD will also break new ground with a track-oriented rear suspension that includes DSSV adaptive coil shocks developed by Multimatic and coil springs arranged in a horizontal transverse pattern. This setup gives weekend racers two track height settings, and Track mode lowers the car more than an inch and a half. At every turn, the GTD runs 20-inch ultralight forged alloys (forged magnesium options are optional) mated to large Brembo carbon-ceramic calipers.
Farley tells us the interior isn't ready for prime time, but he does show off the prototype's heavily tinted windows, Recaro front seats (no rear seats) and various materials like Miko suede, leather and carbon fiber. The list of "cool options" include 3D-printed titanium gear shifters, a rotary gear knob and a titanium license plate taken from a Lockheed Martin F-22 fighter jet. Also listed is a titanium exhaust system.
According to Ford's CEO, the first GTDs will appear in late 2024 or early 2025, with production limited to 2,000 units. Prices should start around $300,000, which is what a well-equipped 911 GT3 RS costs. With no shortage of options, expect most Mustang GTDs to sell for $400,000 and up.
As with the Ford GT program, there will be a rigorous application and award process. And no, Farley won't drive the first car. that's up to his boss, Bill Ford Jr., though Farley hopes to finish second. But Farley tells us he's so confident in the performance and handling of this new Mustang GTD that he's ready to challenge the car's European rivals.
"We warn everyone to be calm. I'll spend time in the Mustang GTD against any other car boss in his best road car. Given that a few days after our meeting, Farley put on his racing suit and drove his big 1964 Shelby Cobra to the Laguna Seca racetrack, where he finished second, other car drivers might want to go there. think carefully before accepting the challenge.
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