You may’t write a definitive definition of “muscle automotive.” However you’d be hard-pressed to write down one which didn’t exclude the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD. It doesn’t care.
Look How Far the Mustang Has Come
A muscle automotive is a comparatively inexpensive American-made efficiency automotive that will get its velocity from a robust engine. Designers historically pay much less consideration to the athleticism of the suspension and provides them nearly defiantly poor aerodynamics.
The Mustang GTD has the highly effective engine. Nevertheless it makes use of complicated suspension parts frequent within the supercar world and aerodynamics that look stolen from future jet fighters. And inexpensive? Ford says, “Pricing is predicted to start at roughly $300,000.” That may get you three 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 automobiles — arguably the height on the finish of the muscle automotive’s run.
No, the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD isn’t any muscle automotive. It’d put on the Mustang title. However Ford plans to construct the brand new high of the Mustang line the place it made the Ford GT supercar — assembled by hand at Multimatic’s store in Ontario, Canada.
Beneath, it should use the chassis of the all-new seventh-generation Mustang. However the frequent elements almost finish there.
Estimated 800 Horsepower, Supercar Stability
Beneath the hood sits a supercharged 5.2-liter V8, “concentrating on an estimated 800 horsepower.” A carbon-fiber drive shaft (we’re on the earth of race automotive elements now) sends that energy to the rear wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle. Why set it thus far again? Ford says the automotive has “close to 50/50 weight distribution” — one other truth that will baffle the shade-tree mechanics who constructed the unique muscle automotive ethos.
Nevertheless it’s the suspension we might write volumes about.
Suspension Like This Means No Trunk
Ford says, “Distinctive efficiency is additional enhanced by a state-of-the-art semi-active suspension that may differ each spring charges and trip peak.” That just about feels like one thing you may discover in a luxurious automotive. It isn’t.
It’s race automotive know-how constructed by Multimatic. Up entrance, it makes use of a short-long-arm design for lateral stiffness. Within the rear, an integral hyperlink pushrod and rocker arm structure sits beneath adaptive spool valve dampers arrange excessive. The design is so unique it required Ford to delete the trunk. Yeah, there’s no trunk. As a replacement — the hydraulic management system and a cooler for the transaxle.
All of it sits on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires wrapped round 20-inch solid aluminum wheels. However Ford will promote you magnesium wheels if you wish to shave a number of kilos.
Inside? That’s Not the Level
Ford has offered no inside photographs. The corporate says, “The cockpit options are completed in premium supplies, together with Miko suede paired with leather-based and carbon fiber, whereas digital shows hold drivers engaged and in full command.” It advertises Recaro “seats,” however there are simply two. You’re not taking the children to the observe on this one.
You may order paddle shifters, a rotary dial shifter, and a serial plate, “all comprised of retired Lockheed Martin F-22 titanium elements.”
Extra Aero Bits Than a Jet Fighter Manufacturing facility
And we’ve waited till the tip to let you know concerning the physique as a result of, properly, how do you describe this?
There’s a Mustang below there like there was a Picard below Locutus of Borg. However the lively aerodynamic elements take up extra actual property than the standard Mustang physique panels.
Oh, and so they’re not conventional Mustang physique panels. Most of them are comprised of carbon fiber.
That huge rear wing, mounted to the C-pillars, hydraulically adjusts itself to maximise present airflow. Ought to the McLaren-style nostrils and the absurdly vented entrance fenders not look like sufficient, Ford will promote you an underbody aerodynamics equipment that makes use of a carbon fiber tray and “hydraulically managed entrance flaps to handle airflow for aerodynamic steadiness.” Ford says that the latter know-how “can be unlawful in racing” however doesn’t specify which racing.
Need One? You Must Apply
? You’ll should cross some form of background verify. Ford says patrons can inquire on-line, and “Our Mustang GTD crew will contact you inside the subsequent 30 days to offer you extra particulars concerning the full software course of.” The corporate initiatives “late 2024/early 2025” deliveries.
Ford Boss Desires CEO Races
However Ford CEO Jim Farley appears to have his arms on one early. He used the automotive’s announcement to throw down a gauntlet, inviting different automaker leaders to carry “their finest highway automotive” to a observe and put up lap occasions in opposition to him in a GTD.
It’s probably none will take him up on it. Few have actual racing expertise. However we are able to’t assist however observe that Akio Toyoda, although not CEO at Toyota, stays chairman of the corporate’s board and has current skilled racing expertise.