Ford's new Mustang GTD has broken a Nürburgring record. It completed a lap in 6:40.835. This time beats the Corvette ZR1X's previous record.
The Mustang GTD is now the second-fastest American car at the Nürburgring. Only its sibling, the 800-hp GT Mk IV, is faster. The GT Mk IV set its record earlier this month.
The GTD Competition is still in its pre-production phase. It ranks sixth on the Nürburgring pre-production/prototype class leaderboard. It sits behind cars like the Porsche 919 Evo and the Ford GT Mk IV.
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Start Your News DetoxMustang GTD's Record-Breaking Run
The new lap time was more than eight seconds quicker than the ZR1X. It was also over 11 seconds faster than the GTD's last attempt. Ford boss Jim Farley said the Mustang GTD was made to bridge the gap between race cars and street-legal supercars.
The new GTD has several changes that helped it achieve this speed. The supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine now has more power. Ford has not revealed the exact number, only that it's "more" than the original 815 horsepower.
The car also has a better power-to-weight ratio. This is due to both the increased power and a lighter overall weight.
The GTD is more aerodynamic than before. It has new dive planes, aero discs, and changes to the rear wing. These help improve downforce. The magnesium wheels are lighter and use new high-performance tires. Even the damper system is lighter.
Inside, new carbon bucket seats also help reduce weight. The GTD was initially a heavy car, weighing almost 2 tonnes (1,970 kg). These changes aim to make it much lighter.
Street Legal and Available for Purchase
The biggest news is that this car is street-legal. Ford has also opened applications for those who want to buy one. Production will be very limited.
When it becomes a production model, it will be the second-fastest production car on the Nürburgring. It will trail only Mercedes’ AMG ONE hypercar. This is, of course, if Corvette doesn't try to reclaim the record.
Deep Dive & References: Ford Mustang GTD Competition Sets New Nürburgring Record - Ford, 2024
