Ford’s Mustang GTD has just lopped over five seconds off its previous Nurburgring lap time - clocking a blistering 6:52.072 and etching its name even deeper into the record books.
It’s now the fastest American production car to lap the German circuit, and Ford claims it’s the fourth-quickest production sports car ever to tackle the Nordschleife.
Back and faster than ever
The new time eclipses the previous benchmark of 6:57.685, which Ford set last year under less-than-ideal conditions. Back then, CEO Jim Farley declared: “We know there’s much more time to find with Mustang GTD. We’ll be back.” He wasn’t bluffing.
While definitions of “production sports car” can be slippery - and Nurburgring timing is famously inconsistent across track configurations - Ford appears to be referencing the full 20.8km layout. That would put the GTD just behind the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (2023) and ahead of several other exotic vehicles.
From talk to traction
So how did they do it?
Beyond a cleaner lap and improved weather, Ford reportedly fine-tuned multiple systems, including aerodynamics, ABS and the GTD’s power delivery. It’s clear the Blue Oval has been analysing every data point since the last outing.
Though specific technical changes haven’t been published, the outcome is hard to argue with. Ford’s track-tuned monster has firmly established itself as a Nurburgring heavyweight - no small feat for a car with roots in Detroit muscle.
When deliveries begin, GTD owners may have more than just bragging rights as they’ll be wielding one of the most capable track weapons America’s ever produced.