The Ford Mustang quickly became a symbol of not only American muscle but of affordable American performance. However, the Mustang GTD isn’t quite that. And that “affordable” thing? Yeah, you can forget about that.


- Base Trim Engine
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5.2L Supercharged V8 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed Dual-clutch transaxle Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
800 hp
- Fuel Economy
-
TBC
- Make
-
Ford
- Model
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Mustang GTD
- Segment
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Sports Car
Ford’s decision to build a street-legal, track-focused monster has gearheads and supercar fans alike rethinking both what a Mustang and supercar can be. With its wild performance figures, exotic engineering, and racecar-inspired design, the GTD isn’t just another trim level—it’s a complete reinvention of Ford’s pony car legacy. Here are 10 reasons why the Mustang GTD has the car world buzzing.
To provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, this article uses data sourced from Ford, as well as various authoritative sources.
10
The Most Powerful Mustang Ever Built
The Mustang GTD isn’t just a more powerful Mustang trim. Packing a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 that produces over 800 horsepower, the GTD stands as the most powerful factory Mustang of all time. That figure pushes it into territory usually reserved for Lamborghinis, McLarens, and Ferraris.
Ford Mustang GTD Performance Specifications
Engine |
Supercharged 5.2-Liter V8 |
Transmission |
Eight-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
Drivetrain |
Rear-Wheel Drive |
Power |
815 Horsepower |
Torque |
664 Pound-Feet |
0-60 |
3.0 Seconds (est.) |
Top Speed |
202 MPH |
Ford has made fast Mustangs before, but it’s not the power that makes the GTD special. The real magic lies in its track-tuned chassis, taking it into a different class of car altogether. This isn’t a dragstrip hero or a dumb straight-line missile that can’t handle a corner—it’s a purpose-built racing machine meant to lap circuits faster than cars costing two or three times as much.
9
Street-Legal, Race Car DNA Inside And Out
As I’ve mentioned, the GTD isn’t some special-edition Mustang with fancy graphics and a horsepower bump. It’s based directly on the Mustang GT3 race car, which Ford developed for endurance racing around the world. That DNA is obvious in the car’s aggressive aerodynamics, rear-mounted transaxle, and carbon fiber bodywork.
The fact that Ford managed to homologate so much of the race car for the street is a revelation. It means the Mustang GTD isn’t pretending to be a track car—it simply is one, with the paperwork and license plate to prove it.
8
A Transaxle Layout For Perfect Balance
One of the biggest engineering surprises is the GTD’s rear-mounted eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle. Unlike every other production Mustang, which uses a front-engine, rear-drive layout with a transmission bolted directly to the engine, the GTD splits its drivetrain.
A car that is already quite willing to rotate and stick in a corner becomes, quite literally, one of the best handling cars I’ve ever tested. GTD changes direction on a dime, but feels utterly stable powering out of a corner at full throttle.
-Seyth Miersma, TopSpeed Editor-at-Large
This configuration dramatically improves weight distribution, bringing the Mustang closer to the perfect 50/50 balance cherished by supercar makers. The result is sharper turn-in, more stability under braking, and the kind of handling precision Mustangs were never supposed to have.
7
Carbon Fiber Everywhere
Ford went all-in on exotic materials for the GTD, decking it out in carbon fiber body panels to slash weight and boost aerodynamics, which includes:
- Hood
- Fenders
- Trunk lid
- Active rear wing (Carbon fiber aero package)
- Underbody elements (Carbon fiber aero package)
It’s not just for looks. Shedding weight and adding rigidity is crucial for a car that’s meant to rival GT3 racers. The Mustang GTD proves Ford isn’t afraid to play in the same sandbox as Ferrari and Porsche when it comes to materials science.
6
Active Aerodynamics That Rival Supercars
Aerodynamics has always mattered, but the GTD takes things to another level. Its active rear wing is computer-controlled, adjusting on the fly for downforce or reduced drag depending on conditions. Combined with underbody venturi tunnels, dive planes, and a massive rear diffuser, the GTD has true race-car aero.
This is a Mustang that produces meaningful downforce at high speeds, allowing drivers to corner harder and brake later. It’s a complete shift from the usual Mustang formula of brute horsepower first, and handling somewhere else on down the list.
5
A Suspension System Unlike Any Other Mustang
Forget solid rear axles or even the independent rear suspension of the latest GTs. The GTD uses a pushrod rear suspension with adaptive spool-valve dampers—a setup more common on Le Mans prototypes than street cars.
This technology allows the GTD to lower itself in Track mode, reducing ride height for even more grip. It’s one of the most advanced suspension systems ever fitted to a production car, let alone a Mustang, and it’s a big reason gearheads are rethinking what Ford can do.
4
Brakes Built For Endurance Racing
Power means nothing without control, and Ford knew the GTD needed brakes to match. That’s why it comes standard with massive carbon-ceramic rotors paired with Brembo calipers. These brakes don’t just stop the car—they do it lap after lap without fading.
Carbon-ceramic brakes are usually found on cars well north of $300,000, yet here they are on a Mustang. They’re a clear signal that Ford built the GTD to survive track punishment, not just to look the part.
3
A Price Tag That Pushes The Mustang Into Supercar Territory
With a starting MSRP of $327,960, the GTD costs more than four times as much as a Mustang GT. That sticker shock alone is enough to make enthusiasts stop and reconsider what this car really is. It’s a bit of a forced, “Are you sure you should treat this like a Mustang?”
It’s OK to balk at the price, but it makes sense when you ask what else you can get with money like that. Think about the engineering, materials, and performance. The GTD isn’t meant to be an affordable muscle car—it’s Ford’s statement piece, built to chase down Europe’s best.
2
Exclusivity That Matches The Hype
Not everyone who wants one will get their hands on a GTD. Ford is building these race cars in very limited numbers, making it a true halo car rather than a mass-produced special edition. Although Ford originally said it would only make 1,000 GTDs, there are rumors that Ford will increase this number. Either way, this rarity will ensure it becomes one of the most collectible Mustangs ever made.
Exclusivity matters, especially when competing against brands like Porsche and Aston Martin. By limiting supply, Ford guarantees that the GTD isn’t just another Mustang.
1
The Mustang Name, Reinvented
Perhaps the most mind-bending thing about the GTD is that it still carries the Mustang badge. Ford has gotten pretty loosey goosey with the Mustang badge. First, the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV thing, now a bona fide racecar. For decades, the Mustang was shorthand for affordable performance, a muscle car for the masses. The GTD flips that on its head, reimagining the Mustang as a true supercar. That shift has gearheads rethinking everything they thought they knew about Ford’s once pony car.
TopSpeed’s Take: The GTD Is A Future Classic
The Ford Mustang GTD is proof that even icons can evolve in ways nobody expected. With its combination of raw power, racecar tech, and supercar exclusivity, it’s forcing enthusiasts to reconsider what a Mustang can be. Whether you love it or question its direction, one thing is clear: the GTD has changed the conversation forever.