- Ford is testing a more extreme Mustang GTD on the Nürburgring.
- It features rear aerodiscs as well as new mid-mounted canards.
- Blue Oval wants to beat the times set by the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X.
With 126 recalls and counting, Ford is focusing on what matters. Unfortunately for customers, that’s an American Nürburgring lap record to keep CEO Jim Farley happy.
As you may recall, Ford revealed the Mustang GTD lapped the Nordschleife in 6:52.072 in May. This beat their previous time by over five seconds and it was made possible due to an assortment of changes including an updated suspension, aerodynamic styling tweaks, and revised chassis tuning.
More: Ford’s Wildest Mustang Yet Ditches Paint For Full Carbon Fury
While Ford was busy patting themselves on the back, Chevrolet was preparing to topple the GTD with the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X. In July, the bowtie brand revealed the former model lapped the Green Hell in 6:50.763, while the latter did it in 6:49.275.
In effect, GM gave Ford a two-handed middle finger. This was all the more damning considering the ZR1 starts at $183,400, while the GTD begins at $327,960.
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Farley said “game on” and now the Blue Oval is trying to win a contest most people don’t care about, especially when their rearview camera might not be fixed until June of 2026.
Questionable priorities aside, spy photographers have snapped a hardcore Mustang GTD undergoing testing on the Nürburgring.
As you can see, this particular prototype has a more extreme aerodynamics package. It features rear aerodisks as well as new mid-mounted canards, which should generate additional downforce. They’re joined by a lightly revised hood with new vents.
Photographers also noted the prototype sounded different, although that could be related to the oddball exhaust being used to meet noise regulations.
More notably, the model wears a golden Nürburgring decal, likely hinting at a possible performance package should these tests be successful.
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