2025 Ford Mustang GTD: A Street-Legal Track Monster
On September 16, 2024, Ford revealed more details about its highly anticipated 2025 Ford Mustang GTD. Initially teased with “more than 800 horsepower,” we now know this beast of a Mustang will boast an 815 horsepower, 664 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 202 mph. Powered by a 5.2-liter supercharged V-8, the GTD represents Ford's most extreme street-legal Mustang ever. It’s a vehicle engineered to dominate both the race track and the open road, and it promises to deliver an unparalleled driving experience.
A Nürburgring Record in the Making
Ford has set bold performance goals for the 2025 Mustang GTD, aiming to conquer the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under 7 minutes. If this goal is achieved, it would put the GTD among the elite supercars of the world. While an official lap time has yet to be confirmed, anticipation is growing as Ford prepares to tackle this iconic track with its Mustang built for racing dominance.
The Mustang GTD Triangle: From Dark Horse to GTD
The development of the 2025 Mustang GTD builds on Ford’s latest performance platform, the seventh-generation Mustang, and its 2024 Dark Horse. Initially created as the performance pinnacle of the series-production Mustang, the Dark Horse laid the groundwork for the Mustang GT3, set to compete in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans. This GTD completes the triangle by bringing race-inspired engineering to a road car that shares its DNA with the GT3.
Named after the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GT Daytona (GTD) competition class, the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD is a fusion of racing technology and street-legal performance. Ford's ambition with this car is simple: to outperform GT3 competitors like Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, and Aston Martin—on both the racetrack and the street.
Key Highlights of the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD
1. Engine and Performance
Under the hood, the 2025 Mustang GTD features a 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine. This is an even more powerful version of the engine found in the Mustang GT500. With 815 hp and a redline of 7,650 rpm, this V-8 is a marvel of modern engineering. It incorporates a dry-sump oil system that’s typical of race cars, ensuring consistent lubrication even during extreme performance conditions. The GTD also has an eight-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle transmission, providing precise gear shifts and seamless power delivery.
The 0-60 mph time is expected to be lightning fast, though official numbers are yet to be released. However, Ford has confirmed that the car is targeting a sub-7-minute lap time at the Nürburgring, making it the fastest roadgoing Mustang ever.
2. Advanced Aerodynamics
The 2025 Mustang GTD has been meticulously designed for optimal aerodynamics. The car features a drag-reduction system (DRS) that boosts straight-line speed by reducing downforce at crucial moments. Inspired by Formula 1, this technology is a significant advantage over the Mustang’s GT3 race car counterpart, which cannot use this feature due to racing regulations. With this setup, Ford has designed a car that will excel in both cornering and high-speed performance.
In addition to DRS, the car’s bodywork is enhanced with carbon fiber. The hood, fenders, roof, door sills, and rear diffuser are all made from carbon fiber to reduce weight and increase structural integrity. Optional carbon-fiber front and rear fascias will also be available.
3. Race-Inspired Suspension and Handling
One of the key features of the 2025 Mustang GTD is its semi-active Multimatic DSSV spool-valve suspension. This suspension system, which includes hydraulically actuated dual spring rates, allows for two different ride-height settings, with Track mode lowering the car by 40mm. The suspension's adaptive dampers can shift from full stiff to full soft in just 10 milliseconds, giving the car exceptional handling on both track and street surfaces.
Ford has gone to great lengths to ensure the GTD has an optimal 50/50 weight distribution, moving the transmission to the rear of the car. This setup, combined with a titanium exhaust system, carbon-ceramic brakes, and Michelin R-compound tires, ensures that the Mustang GTD remains stable even at its impressive speeds.
4. Interior: Racing Heritage Meets Modern Tech
Inside the 2025 Mustang GTD, you'll find a stripped-down interior focused on performance. The front seats are Recaro racing seats, and the rear seats have been removed to showcase the car’s suspension system through a carbon-fiber see-through panel. The steering wheel, featuring Dinamica and carbon fiber inserts, is fitted with 3D-printed titanium paddle shifters that control the transmission in manual mode.
The center console features a rotary gear dial made of titanium, and the dashboard is adorned with carbon fiber, emphasizing the car’s lightweight, high-performance focus. While the GTD retains some of the traditional Mustang elements, much of the interior has been reworked to fit its purpose as a street-legal race car.
$300,000 Supercar
Owning a 2025 Ford Mustang GTD won’t come cheap. The starting price is estimated at over $300,000, with only around 2,000 units expected to be produced. Ford is using a concierge system similar to the one it employed for the limited-run Ford GT supercar, where interested buyers must apply to purchase. Ford has hinted that the first buyers will likely be diehard Ford fans, collectors, and track-day enthusiasts.
Built for Exclusivity
Each Mustang GTD will begin its journey on the assembly line at Ford’s Flat Rock, Michigan plant before being shipped to Multimatic’s facility in Markham, Ontario, for final assembly. Multimatic, the same company responsible for the Ford GT and Mustang GT3, will handcraft each vehicle, ensuring precision and quality for this street-legal track monster.
A Glimpse into the Future of Performance Cars
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD isn’t just a car—it’s a statement. By combining raw power, cutting-edge technology, and racing DNA, Ford has created a vehicle that will undoubtedly turn heads and dominate the track. With its 815 horsepower, supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, and sophisticated suspension system, the GTD is set to redefine what a Mustang can be. As we await official performance numbers and that highly anticipated Nürburgring lap time, one thing is clear: the 2025 Mustang GTD is a force to be reckoned with.
