Ford unveils Mustang GTD, the wildest muscle car yet

The Blue Oval’s latest machine takes aim at Porsche and Ferrari with awesome power, killer technology and an eye-watering price.

Meet the new Ford Mustang that costs more than a Ferrari.

Destined to race against competition versions of the new Ferrari 296 GTB, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and BMW M4 CSL in events such as the Bathurst 12-Hour and 24 Hours of Le Mans, the new Ford Mustang GT3 shapes up as a state-of-the-art race car.

The Ford Mustang GTD is a road-going version of the latest Mustang racer.

Its road-going cousin promises to be even faster.

Shaping up as Ford’s vision for the ultimate track-day weapon, the new Ford Mustang GT3 takes blue-collar muscle cars to new heights.

Power comes from a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 with about 600kW or 800 horsepower – a little more than what Ford offered overseas in the previous-generation Mustang Shelby GT 500.

The Ford Mustang GTD has wild carbon fibre bodywork.

The new model ditches the regular Mustang’s choice of six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmissions in favour of a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic mounted in the back of the car for improved weight distribution.

It joins a raft of changes that push the Mustang into supercar territory.

The Mustang GT3 will race at Bathurst and beyond.

The Mustang GTD’s rear end benefits from outrageous technology, including a switch to pushrod suspension with horizontally mounted springs similar to what you can see in a Lamborghini Aventador.

It has seriously sophisticated Multimatic adaptive spool valve dampers – like those in the $1 million Ferrari SF90 Asseto Fiorano – and a carbon fibre prop shaft like that in the Nissan GT-R.

The rear transaxle and pushrod suspension are incredibly sophisticated.

It borrows active aero at the front and rear – including a spectacular rear wing – from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and carbon bodywork, magnesium rims and ceramic brakes from the Lamborghini Huracan STO.

As with the discontinued Ford GT supercar, the Mustang GTD has a special track mode that lowers the suspension by 40mm.

Ford says the Mustang GTD will be made in limited numbers.

Significantly wider than the Mustang GT, the new car rides on the same sort of Michelin semi-slick tyres found on Ferrari’s 296 GTB.

It even borrows raw materials from the world of fighter jets, repurposing titanium components from America’s F-22 Lightning for use on the gearshift paddles and other interior elements.

All of that helps to justify a price that matches the Mustang GTD’s performance. Ford says it will cost about six times more than a V8-powered Mustang GT at $US300,000 ($470,000) in the US, which is a stout $50,000 more than what Ferrari charges in the States for its V8-powered Roma coupe.

Magnesium wheels and ceramic brakes represent exotic touches.

Australian customers should expect to pay more than $600,000 once taxes are accounted for. Only built in left-hand-drive, the GTD would not be legal for road use in Australia.

That might not bother wealthy collectors, as it is designed to do its best work on the track.

Ford president Jim Farley said it ”represents the very best of Ford Motor Company and what our team needs to do every day”.

“This is what happens when we take what we’re good at and push the boundaries to see where the bubble stops,” he said.

The Ford Mustang GTD costs more than an entry-level Ferrari in the US.

“It represents the essence of the transformation we’re going through at Ford, from software to special edition cars.”

Farley went so far as to challenge rival car company executives to bring their fastest cars and race against the ultimate Mustang.

“We’re throwing down the gauntlet and saying, ‘Come and get it,’” he said.

“We’re comfortable putting everybody else on notice. I’ll take track time in a Mustang GTD against any other auto boss in their best road car.”