Hard-core Ford Mustang GTD racer for the road leaked
Street-legal GT3 car breaks cover early and looks seriously meanThe rumours weren’t quite true in regards to a mid-engine layout, but a radical new hard-core Ford Mustang is indeed on the way and it’s just been leaked ahead of its debut at Car Week Monterey.
Officially dubbed the Ford Mustang GTD, the monstrous-looking new muscle car is tipped to pack a 670kW supercharged V8 and it could become an indirect successor for the Ford GT supercar as the Blue Oval’s new performance flagship.
The only concrete intel we have to go on are these leaked images and video clips posted to social media from the preview event held on Monday and then collated by YouTuber StangMode, showcasing a ludicrously wide body, outlandish rear wing and a much tougher front-end design than the already ballsy new Mustang Dark Horse.
Perhaps the best way to describe the GTD is a road-going version of the latest Ford Mustang GT3 racer – a project that Ford CEO Jim Farley teased via Twitter back in March this year.
“Should we make a road version?” the top Ford exec said while resharing a development video of the factory-built GT3 car, based on the upcoming S650-series Mustang.
The visual connection between the GTD and GT3 is clear for all to see, especially in their matching side profiles and almost identical aggressive front bumper designs.
Lairy aero features, big brakes, carbon body panels, widened tracks and Michelin Cup 2 tyres all back-up the theory, with StangMode speculating the GTD is designed to rattle the cage of the Chevrolet Corvette portfolio, especially the Z06 and upcoming ZR1 variants.
But while the Corvette is now exclusively a mid-engine proposition (like the Ford GT), the GTD looks to have retained the Mustang’s traditional front-engine layout, perhaps filling a market niche vacated by the old Dodge Viper ACR.
Whatever its positioning, Ford is clearly keen for its newest Mustang derivative to take the fight to Corvette, given its US media invitation reportedly claimed the vehicle will offer the “performance of a supercar” and the “soul of an icon”.
Expectations are for the road-going Mustang racer to be produced in Canada by Multimatic, the firm that builds the Ford GT as well as the Mustang GT3 and GT4 racers.
Stand by, because all will be revealed within the next 24 hours or so.
Can’t wait to show you what we’re working on next. https://t.co/tHWCyoaWFe
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) August 16, 2023
Related: Mid-engined Ford Mustang supercar could debut this week
Related: Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2023 Review – International
Related: MOTORSPORT: Ford Mustang GT3 racer revealed
Related: 2024 Ford Mustang GT3 road car teased
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