Wild Ford Mustang GTD gets DRS active aero

The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD ‘racer for the road’ will come with the most advanced active aerodynamics ever fitted to a Blue Oval production car, including an F1-inspired Drag Reduction System (DRS).

Said to include air-bending measures that even some top-flight race cars lack, the all-new Ford Mustang GTD – which broke cover in August – has a broad mixture of splitters, vents, skirts, diffusers and large moveable wings that combine to maximise downforce without adding drag, especially when the trick DRS is activated.

Created to change the angle of the big rear wing and activate special flaps under the front of the car, the new DRS is a hydraulic system that adjusts to favour either big speed or maximum downforce when extra grip is needed for high-speed cornering.

In its high-downforce mode, the DRS closes the main wing element and front flaps. At the same time, beneath the skin there is a boat keel-shaped underbody that combines with front wheel-arch and wheel fender louvres to create a large area of low pressure. This effect leads to a suction force, keeping the front-end stable through even the highest-speed corners.

Back on the road, the GTD’s height-adjustable suspension has been designed to clear everyday obstacles like speed bumps, but when maximum track performance is required the wild Mustang can lower its body by up to 40mm, improving airflow around the car and enabling the advanced aero aids to do their stuff.

To ensure the new active aerodynamics work in the real world, Ford Performance says the Mustang GTD has undergone thousands of hours of virtual simulation on computers as well as high-speed testing on racetracks like Road Atlanta and Spa in Belgium.

“Every surface, body opening and vent on and under Mustang GTD’s body is functional,” said Mustang GTD chief program engineer Greg Goodall.

“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.”

Developed to be “the most audacious and advanced Mustang ever”, the 5.2-litre supercharged V8-powered GTD was developed in tandem with the factory-built Mustang GT3 to be the ultimate American performance car.

Ford says it’s targeting a maximum output of 800hp (597kW) and sub-seven-minute Nurburgring lap time for the GTD.

It has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution thanks to a rear-mounted eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s also carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon-fibre body panels that accommodate a much wider track.

Ford is yet to confirm exactly how many Mustang GTDs it will build in collaboration with its production partner in Canada, Multimatic, but has announced its limited-edition supercar will have a base price of around $US300,000 ($A466,950) before on-road costs and customisation options.

Production is set to start next year ahead of first deliveries kicking off in the closing stages of 2024 or early 2025, but Ford Australia has confirmed the Mustang GTD won’t be coming Down Under because it will not be available in right-hand drive.

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