Posted on 08/18/2023 6:28:20 AM PDT by Red Badger
You may have seen rumors on Facebook and elsewhere about a mid-engine Mustang. Sounds somewhat preposterous, no? What business does Ford have building a Mustang — a secretary’s car, mind you — that competes with the C8 Corvette? Except with the Mustang GTD, its sights are higher.
Suspend any thoughts Ford is bringing you a modern-day Pantera with a prancing horse stuck on the front. As a proper pony car, Ford is introducing the Mustang GTD as something more than just a step up from the Dark Horse — it’s a Mustang reinvented. First shown to a small group in Las Vegas this past Monday (including our cohorts across the street at Barrett-Jackson), the Mustang GTD will be a flagship, a supercar wrapped in a carbon fiber Mustang body to take on the Europeans at Le Mans in 2024.
GTD will be built in partnership with Multimatic, the same partnership that led to (among other vehicles) the Ford GT. In fact, Multimatic was working on the GTD race car when Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, proclaimed, “We need a street version of that.”
So, what are some of the major features of this track monster?
800-plus horsepower with dry sump system
Rear transaxle
Inboard, active suspension
Magnesium wheels
Carbon ceramic brakes
Titanium exhaust system
Carbon fiber all over, including the giant wing
The Mustang GTD is all about power, braking, and balance. It’s a well-rounded machine that’s strong in all areas.
So, yes, the rumor about a mid-engine Mustang was true. No, it’s not going to have its engine relocated to the rear; rather, the engine will stay up front but behind the front axle. Yes, you will be able to buy a copy of this homologation special. No, we don’t know the cost to you, nor do we know anything else about the engine.
But, if you’re a Mustang fan and have always dreamed of a road-going Mustang race car, then the Mustang GTD is your ticket.
Here’s a description I found:
The C8 Corvette was unique in more ways than one, including the fact that it served as the first generation of Corvette to have only been offered with an automatic transmission. All C8 Corvettes (thus far), have come equipped with a TREMEC 8-speed DCT automatic transmission. This transmission utilizes a dual-clutch design, allowing for rapid shifts of less than 100 milliseconds.
The TREMEC 8-speed utilizes computer-generated algorithms to enhance a motorist’s driving experience and is even able to differentiate between standard cruising and periods of increased performance demands. Control software varies shift points based upon these observations, in a bid to enhance overall performance. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are also standard on the C8 Corvette, allowing drivers to select the gear of their choice depending upon the conditions at hand.
I wanted to buy a Fiero when they came out, but this young, brand-new husband wanted the GT, not the regular version, and we simply couldn’t afford it. :-(
Of course, I felt a little better that I didn’t buy one when I heard they sometimes caught fire...
Nice to see one whenever I watch Ferris Bueller’s day off, though.
With drum brakes, Yikes!
Another goofy looking Hot Wheels, built by UAW drunks?
These limited run $300k ponies will be hand built................
Nope.
More like a 928 or a 1960 Tempest.
Unless it's AWD, why would you possibly want that? Compared to a real mid-engine it'll plow like a John Deere.
That's for drag racing....IRS is for real racing.
“it’ll plow like a John Deere. “
You must have owned a ‘62 Beetle, too! It plowed and plowed until the front and rear swapped places.
That is the type car that killed Tim Horton.
His must have been an earlier year model.
Fast, Powerful and not to be taken lightly.
It requires a skilled and sober driver.
not sure”the car”killed Horton, as much as hauling ass down the QEW at night on his way to Buffalo, non sober. Graet highway for high speed runs, had a few epic ones myself back in the day.
They had a dangerous rear (swing axle) suspension, improved later in the decade with IRS.....but that was hardly a race car.
The real race cars have airflow down-force to adhere the front tires to the track instead of a 500lb engine which, due to centrifugal force, swings the front of the car outward in a turn.
And by "real race cars" I mean GT and Formula open wheel cars.
I opt for the 1960 Tempest first.
Still has a very high polar moment of inertia, which matter in turning, especially back and forth turning like esses. Versus what I consider a true mid-engine like a Boxster, a McClaren, an R8, a Lamborghini, etc.
“very high polar moment of inertia”
Very true. That really impedes rapid yaw changes.
Yes P.O.P. This is Corvette C5 thru 7 technology, however your spot on about moving the engine back, Max Balchowsky and Old Yeller comes to mind.
200 lbs lighter, at least, that opens up the door for a rally version, with that lighter-weight, with a E-FWD unit using the braking energy and only and a small battery.
The E-Drive on the @$$ end of the Mach-E impressed that stink out of Sandy Munro, that's 200hp ish so use that.
Oh man, no one could catch you out of the corners.
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