The Ford Mustang GTD has stunned the automotive world by surpassing the Porsche 911 GT3 at the Nurburgring, signaling a new chapter for American muscle cars in European circuits. Recently revealed to have completed a lap in 6m57sec on the 20km German track, the Mustang GTD outpaced the Porsche 911 GT3’s lap time of 6m59sec set by Lars Kern in 2020 and approached Kevin Estre’s performance in the 911 GT3 with the Manthey Performance Kit.

Dirk Muller, an experienced racer, piloted the Mustang during this historic run, marking the first sub-seven-minute lap by an American car at this famed track. Achieved in just three initial attempts, this performance has opened up possibilities for even faster times, as Greg Goodall, the project’s chief program engineer, explained in an interview with Torquecafe. “Despite the limited number of laps due to rain, each one was under seven minutes. We’ve started strong, and there’s more to come,” he noted.

This project is a passion for Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, an enthusiast racer who envisioned the Mustang competing against top-tier supercars like Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston Martin, both on the racetrack and the road. Under the guidance of Goodall and with assistance from Canadian racing specialists Multimatic, the Mustang GTD was crafted free from racing regulations. It boasts a robust 596kW (800hp) supercharged 5.2-litre V8, a new eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle, carbon fibre driveshaft, sophisticated suspension, and more. The GTD features a predominantly carbon fibre body, innovative active aerodynamics, magnesium wheels, and carbon ceramic brakes.

While Goodall is wary of forecasting specific times, the ambition to eclipse more records is clear. “Predicting exact times isn’t our focus right now, but we know the car has more to offer. We’ll let our future performances on the track speak for themselves,” he remarked.

With its record-breaking lap time and advanced technological features, the Mustang GTD represents a significant leap forward for Ford, merging traditional muscle power with contemporary engineering prowess. This achievement not only boosts Ford’s standing in global high-performance automotive markets but also paves the way for the next generation of muscle cars that can compete with the world’s best supercars.