The Ford Mustang GTD has set a new record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, lapping the famous circuit in less than seven minutes. With a time of 6 minutes and 57.685 seconds, the GTD has become the fastest American road car to conquer the challenging track.
This achievement puts the Mustang GTD ahead of the Porsche 911 GT3, which previously held the title with a time of 6 minutes and 59.93 seconds. However, the GTD falls behind other high-performance vehicles like the Porsche 911 GT3 with the Manthey Racing Performance Kit, the 911 GT3 RS, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, and the Porsche 911 GT2 RS modified by Manthey.
Despite not claiming the overall road-car record at the Nürburgring, Ford plans to return to the circuit next year to improve upon the GTD’s impressive time, anticipating competition from Porsche’s latest offerings.
So, what sets the Mustang GTD apart from the standard GT model? The GTD boasts a 5.2-litre V8 engine producing a staggering 815bhp, surpassing the Ford GT in power. The powertrain features motorsport-inspired upgrades such as dry-sump lubrication, an active-valve exhaust system, and a carbonfibre driveshaft.
The chassis of the GTD has also been significantly enhanced, with unequal-length double-wishbone suspension, Multimatic active dampers, and Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes for improved performance on the track. The car sits lower and wider than the regular Mustang GT, with a striking body kit inspired by the Mustang GT3 race car, complete with aggressive aerodynamics and a large rear spoiler.
In conclusion, the Ford Mustang GTD has proven its capabilities on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, setting a new benchmark for American road cars. With its impressive performance and track-focused upgrades, the GTD showcases Ford’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and engineering excellence.
