Wild Ford Mustang EcoBoost RTR teased

The 2025 Ford Mustang EcoBoost RTR has been unleashed at this year's Detroit motor show, paving the way for a faster, more extreme track-focused version of the turbo four-pot pony car.

Developed in partnership with world champion drifter and off-road racing champ Vaughn Gittin Jr's RTR Vehicles, the new Ford Mustang RTR will be sold in the US alongside both the GT and the Dark Horse, plus the inbound GTD hypercar.

Described as a prototype, full details and specification of the hard-core EcoBoost-powered Mustang have yet to be released, but the big fixed rear wing and large lime-green Brembo brake calipers suggest some big performance upgrades have been added to transform the standard car into the Mustang RTR.

Under the bonnet there’s no word on how much of a power boost the 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo produces but expect a big bump up from the standard car’s 232kW and 475Nm.

Those figures are only 115kW and 75Nm less than the V8 versions, with some suggesting the modified EcoBoost four-cylinder might be the fastest Mustang yet post the RTR treatment.

Ford has admitted that among the performance upgrades the Mustang RTR will come with an electronic Drift Brake that was rolled out with the seventh-gen Mustang, making it easy to provoke a slide.

Other undisclosed add-ons are likely to include the Dark Horse’s MagneRide suspension, a limited-slip differential and an uprated manual transmission.

Other changes previewed by the prototype include new LED daytime running lamps within the front grille and a new more aggressive design for the front bumper.

“I’m pumped to have the opportunity to create what we believe is the most exciting turbocharged Mustang ever,” said RTR founder, Vaughn Gittin Jr.

“This Mustang RTR is pure accessible fun,” he said. “With many enhancements, including Mustang Dark Horse components, Mustang EcoBoost’s near-perfect weight distribution, and RTR’s signature styling, it’s ready for drifting, drag racing, back-road cruising, or ripping around an autocross track. The new Mustang RTR is truly Ready to Rock.”

Due to land in US dealers before the end of this year, an Australian launch for the Mustang RTR is not likely but some of the performance-enhancing parts might be available via aftermarket channels, like Victoria-based Mustang Motorsports that already offers RTR, Shelby and Roush Performance upgrades.

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