You possibly can’t write a definitive definition of “muscle automotive.” However you’d be hard-pressed to jot down one which didn’t exclude the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD. It doesn’t care.

Look How Far the Mustang Has Come

A muscle automotive is a comparatively inexpensive American-made efficiency automotive that will get its pace from a robust engine. Designers historically pay much less consideration to the athleticism of the suspension and provides them nearly defiantly poor aerodynamics.

The Mustang GTD has the highly effective engine. But it surely makes use of complicated suspension components frequent within the supercar world and aerodynamics that look stolen from future jet fighters. And inexpensive? Ford says, “Pricing is predicted to start at roughly $300,000.” That will get you three 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 vehicles — arguably the height on the finish of the muscle automotive’s run.

No, the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD isn’t any muscle automotive. It would put on the Mustang identify. However Ford plans to construct the brand new high of the Mustang line the place it made the Ford GT supercar — assembled by hand at Multimatic’s store in Ontario, Canada.

Beneath, it’ll use the chassis of the all-new seventh-generation Mustang. However the frequent elements almost finish there.

Estimated 800 Horsepower, Supercar Steadiness

Underneath the hood sits a supercharged 5.2-liter V8, “concentrating on an estimated 800 horsepower.” A carbon-fiber drive shaft (we’re on this planet of race automotive elements now) sends that energy to the rear wheels by way of an 8-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle. Why set it thus far again? Ford says the automotive has “close to 50/50 weight distribution” — one other truth that may baffle the shade-tree mechanics who constructed the unique muscle automotive ethos.

But it surely’s the suspension we might write volumes about.

Suspension Like This Means No Trunk

Ford says, “Distinctive efficiency is additional enhanced by a state-of-the-art semi-active suspension that may differ each spring charges and journey top.” That just about feels like one thing you could possibly discover in a luxurious automotive. It isn’t.

It’s race automotive know-how constructed by Multimatic. Up entrance, it makes use of a short-long-arm design for lateral stiffness. Within the rear, an integral hyperlink pushrod and rocker arm structure sits beneath adaptive spool valve dampers arrange excessive. The design is so unique it required Ford to delete the trunk. Yeah, there’s no trunk. As a replacement — the hydraulic management system and a cooler for the transaxle.

All of it sits on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires wrapped round 20-inch cast aluminum wheels. However Ford will promote you magnesium wheels if you wish to shave just a few kilos.

Inside? That’s Not the Level

Ford has supplied no inside images. The corporate says, “The cockpit options are completed in premium supplies, together with Miko suede paired with leather-based and carbon fiber, whereas digital shows maintain drivers engaged and in full command.” It advertises Recaro “seats,” however there are simply two. You’re not taking the youngsters to the monitor on this one.

You possibly can order paddle shifters, a rotary dial shifter, and a serial plate, “all constructed from retired Lockheed Martin F-22 titanium elements.”

Extra Aero Bits Than a Jet Fighter Manufacturing facility

And we’ve waited till the tip to let you know in regards to the physique as a result of, nicely, how do you describe this?

There’s a Mustang beneath there like there was a Picard beneath Locutus of Borg. However the lively aerodynamic elements take up extra actual property than the standard Mustang physique panels.

Oh, and so they’re not conventional Mustang physique panels. Most of them are constructed from carbon fiber.

That huge rear wing, mounted to the C-pillars, hydraulically adjusts itself to maximise present airflow. Ought to the McLaren-style nostrils and the absurdly vented entrance fenders not look like sufficient, Ford will promote you an underbody aerodynamics equipment that makes use of a carbon fiber tray and “hydraulically managed entrance flaps to handle airflow for aerodynamic stability.” Ford says that the latter know-how “could be unlawful in racing” however doesn’t specify which racing.

Need One? You Should Apply

? You’ll should move some kind of background test. Ford says consumers can inquire on-line, and “Our Mustang GTD staff will contact you throughout the subsequent 30 days to supply you extra particulars in regards to the full utility course of.” The corporate initiatives “late 2024/early 2025” deliveries.

Ford Boss Needs CEO Races

However Ford CEO Jim Farley appears to have his fingers on one early. He used the automotive’s announcement to throw down a gauntlet, inviting different automaker leaders to convey “their finest street automotive” to a monitor and submit lap occasions towards him in a GTD.

It’s doubtless none will take him up on it. Few have actual racing expertise. However we will’t assist however observe that Akio Toyoda, although now not CEO at Toyota, stays chairman of the corporate’s board and has current skilled racing expertise.