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Mustang GTD Spirit Of America: Apex predator

[All images courtesy of Ford]

 

 

The Mustang GTD has a special premium variant that takes this all-American supercar to new heights. The Spirit of America is the apex of any Mustang ever engineered by Ford. It sets a new performance bar with 815 hp, 664 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 202 mph -- the most of any street-legal Mustang ever.

It looks sweet too. It boasts a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with dual air inlets and the first dry-sump engine oil system fitted to a roadgoing Mustang to help keep the engine lubricated during sustained and demanding cornering. It sports an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. It also has a price tag higher than its incredible rear wing.

All of the car's impressive power is sent from the engine to the rear wheels through a carbon fiber driveshaft connected to an 8-speed rear transaxle for near 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear. Lap time drive simulations and powertrain dyno testing led to the selection of the powertrain and transaxle architecture to put power to the ground.

The Mustang GTD's exceptional performance is enhanced by a state-of-the-art semi-active suspension that can vary both spring rates and ride height. The adaptive spool valve damper technology with hydraulically actuated dual spring rate and height suspension provides two unique states that enhance on-road and on-track performance independently. The suspension settings allow for a nearly 40-mm lower ride height in Track Mode, and overall the car has a nearly 4-in. wider track than the Mustang GT.

A short-long arm front suspension provides enhanced lateral stiffness and improved kinematics, especially in high-G cornering. The rear suspension features an integral link pushrod and rocker arm architecture where the inboard Adaptive Spool Valve shock absorbers and coil over springs are arranged in a horizontal cross pattern and integrated with a strong, stiff, and weight-efficient motorsport-style tubular subframe. The unique architecture creates a motion ratio from pushrod to damper of 1:1, so the car responds precisely to track conditions. 

VIDEO: TCcustoms takes a deep-dive look at the new Mustang GTD Spirit Of America at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show). Thanks for such a nice look at this car! [Credit: TCcustoms]

Road grip and cornering stability for the Mustang GTD come from 325-mm-wide front tires -- as wide as the rear tires of a Ford GT -- while the rear are 345 mm. These are mounted on 20-in. forged aluminum wheels or available forged magnesium wheels. The magnesium wheels offer the ideal combination of weight and durability and with a similar design to the Mustang GT3 race car.

Behind those wheels are massive Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, which are optimized for heat rejection leading to harder, more consistent stopping further into the braking zone. Rear brake heat is shed with the aid of cooling ducts mounted below the rear suspension.   

Mustang GTD features technology new to Ford with Variable Traction Control in Track Mode. This allows the driver to push the limits of the car by modulating engine output and traction control intrusiveness. Adjustments can be made without taking hands off the wheel, allowing the driver to match track conditions to their driving ability. 

VIDEO: Ford Mustang GTD promo video. [Credit: Ford]

The Mustang GTD also uses an advanced electrical architecture leveraged from the new seventh-generation Mustang, helping to offer seamless connectivity, a myriad of personalized driving modes, and over-the-air software updates.

Mustang GTD takes advantage of the extensive use of carbon fiber body panels to reduce weight, lower the center of gravity, and improve responsiveness. The fenders, hood, cover that replaces the trunk lid, door sills, front splitter, rear diffuser, and roof are all carbon fiber with optional carbon fiber front and rear fascias. 

What makes the Spirit of America special?
Mustang has been uniquely American since 1965, from its V8 power to its iconic galloping horse logo emblazoned across a red, white, and blue badge. Mustang GTD Spirit of America represents more than Mustang's performance legacy. Ford says it "honors the American spirit of ingenuity and courage in the face of challenge."

Ford says this car is a homage to Craig Breedlove, a storied American structural engineering tech in the aerospace industry who became a race car driver and the first person to break the 500- and 600-mph barriers on land using several turbojet-powered vehicles, which were all named Spirit of America.

To bring Mustang GTD Spirit of America to life, Ford Design created a Performance White body with twin racing stripes in Race Red and Lightning Blue, mimicking the iconic red, white, and blue Mustang tribar that debuted in 1964. The stripes run the length of the Mustang GTD Spirit of America's body.

Exposed carbon fiber is a primary element on the Mustang GTD Spirit of America's aerodynamic elements, including the front splitter, as well as on the rear diffuser and spoiler.

That spoiler includes Race Red end plates and a "MUSTANG" wordmark on the underside, leaving no doubt for trailing cars about what just passed them. Owners have a choice of Race Red or exposed carbon-fiber mirror caps, while Race Red calipers are standard.

Additionally (and this is a big once, because it really affects the price), the Mustang GTD Performance Package is standard. Package enhancements include: active aerodynamics (such as the rear wing with a Drag Reduction System) and front-end enhancements such as dive planes and a larger splitter. Lightweight magnesium wheels and the removal of some sound-deadening material is also included. Most of these features are targeted toward better lap times. Inside, high-performance gauges, titanium paddle shifters, and Recaro seats are part of the upgrades.

More about the aerodynamics
The heart of Mustang GTD's aerodynamic performance is its Drag Reduction System, which uses a hydraulic system that can change the angle of the rear wing and activate flaps under the front of the car to find exactly the right balance between airflow for speed and downforce for grip, depending on performance conditions.

"Every surface, body opening, and vent on and under Mustang GTD's body is functional," said Greg Goodall, Mustang GTD chief program engineer. "Some air is directed for cooling, other for aerodynamics and downforce. All of it to help GTD go faster or stick to the pavement no matter what the conditions are."

When Mustang GTD tackles sharp turns and grip becomes more important than speed, the DRS closes the main wing element and flap to create an integrated airfoil to generate additional downforce on the rear of the vehicle, to help the GTD go faster through turns without losing grip. At the same time, the front underbody is shaped like a keel that helps evacuate incoming air through the front wheel wells and large fender louvers to create an area of lower pressure that acts like suction to help keep the front end stable through turns.

"We actively manage where the center of air pressure is on the vehicle, so the front and rear can remain balanced," said Goodall. "The ability to do this isn't allowed in racing, where the rules don't allow actively managing airflow."

In normal street driving conditions, the body allows clearance of everyday items, like speed bumps. When maximum track performance is required, Mustang GTD's suspension can lower the body 40 mm, further helping improve airflow over and around the body.

The Mustang GTD team continues to refine the supercar's aerodynamics through thousands of hours of virtual airflow simulation in powerful computers and time testing on demanding road course tracks from Road Atlanta to Spa in Belgium.

"Our Le Mans drivers would love to have the technology Mustang GTD has for the track and street," said Goodall.

Mustang GTD Spirit of America also features a package-specific seat option to present a unique take on the focused, all-glass cockpit. The seats are leather trimmed with Dinamica inserts. Black Onyx features prominently, with a Race Red gradient stripe down the middle and Re-Entry White trimmings on the exterior, while Victory Blue contrast stitching provides a subtle pop of color. Victory Blue also appears as a contrast element throughout the cabin. The paddle shifters, shift ring, and IP badge are available in 3D-printed titanium, as well.

A "standard" Mustang GTD starts at $327,960, but the GTD Spirit of America is anything but standard. It has a starting price about $100,000 more, and there is still room to customize and push that final price higher. Sound like a little too much? It isn't for the 200+ orders Ford already has on the books, so get in line if you are interested and be prepared for a very long wait.

Learn more about the Mustang GTD at ford.com/performance/mustang-gtd/.

Source: Ford

Published October 2025

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