Jay Leno, renowned automobile expert, opines that the upcoming 2025 Mustang GTD has the potential to go head-to-head with Porsche.
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD, a track-focused supercar, is making waves in the automotive world. With a starting price of approximately $325,000, this high-performance vehicle is turning heads and setting new performance benchmarks.
Jay Leno, the popular television host and car enthusiast, was one of the lucky few to secure a spot on the waitlist for the Mustang GTD. After a year and a half of anticipation, Leno finally received his coveted ride, becoming the twelfth owner of this extraordinary vehicle.
The Mustang GTD comes standard with the performance package, making it incredibly fast and powerful. Under the hood, a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 Predator engine roars to life, producing an impressive 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. This powerhouse is mated to a rear-mounted 8-speed dual-clutch transaxle for seamless gear shifts.
Ford has taken great care in engineering the Mustang GTD to deliver exceptional performance. The chassis is ultra-rigid, with carbon fiber construction used extensively for the roof, hood, fenders, and trunk lid. This lightweight material not only reduces weight but also enhances rigidity for improved handling and stability.
The suspension system employs a semi-active system with Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology, unequal-length control arms, and adjustable hydraulic aerodynamic flaps. These features allow for on-the-fly ride and downforce adjustments, enabling the Mustang GTD to generate about 2,000 pounds of downforce and achieve a Nürburgring lap time of 6:52 seconds—the fastest ever for an American production car.
The Mustang GTD maintains its identity as a Mustang while offering the speed and performance of a supercar. It boasts a wide track (4 inches wider than the standard Mustang GT), active aero with a Drag Reduction System (DRS), ceramic Brembo brakes with titanium lug nuts, and unique interior touches inspired by fighter jets, such as titanium paddle shifters and a serial placard.
Production of the Mustang GTD is limited, with between 300 and 700 units built annually by Multimatic Motorsports in Canada. Ford CEO Jim Farley highlighted the GTD's goal to compete with European exotics and its Le Mans-inspired engineering, including the radical chassis and aerodynamic sophistication.
Mary Conway, a professional automotive journalist with over two decades of experience covering the Detroit Three for the ABC affiliate in Detroit, shared her thoughts on the Mustang GTD. Conway, whose father ran a gas station in Wisconsin, has a deep affection for the Motor City and its automotive industry. She praised the Mustang GTD for its exceptional performance and its ability to maintain its identity as a Mustang while offering the speed and performance of a supercar.
Jay Leno, who also owned the 12th car produced in the Ford GT supercar line, frequently compares the Mustang GTD to supercars, stating it outperforms them. In a video capturing the delivery of car number 12, Leno and Ford CEO Jim Farley emphasized the vehicle's radical engineering and its intent to rival and surpass notable European supercars.
With a top speed of 202 miles per hour, the Mustang GTD is the fastest street-legal Mustang ever. Its carbon fiber aerodynamic parts on the exterior contribute to its sleek design and impressive performance. The Mustang GTD is a testament to Ford's commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive performance and innovation.
For updates on the latest car news, follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia.
[1] Ford Mustang GTD: The Fastest American Production Car Ever Built (2022, May 13). Retrieved from https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36819789/ford-mustang-gtd-nurburgring-lap-time/
[2] Ford Mustang GTD: A Le Mans-Inspired American Supercar (2022, May 12). Retrieved from https://www.motortrend.com/news/2022-ford-mustang-gtd-le-mans-inspired-american-supercar/
[3] Jay Leno Gets His Hands on the 2025 Ford Mustang GTD (2022, May 12). Retrieved from https://www.motor1.com/news/502576/jay-leno-2025-ford-mustang-gtd-delivery/
[4] Ford Mustang GTD: The American Supercar That's Setting New Performance Standards (2022, May 11). Retrieved from https://www.autoblog.com/2022/05/11/2025-ford-mustang-gtd-specs/
Jay Leno, renowned television host and car enthusiast, expressed that the Ford Mustang GTD outperforms other supercars, echoing the sentiment of Ford CEO Jim Farley during the delivery of car number 12. To match its European counterparts, the Mustang GTD underwent Le Mans-inspired engineering, incorporating a carbon fiber construction that reduces weight and enhances handling while also integrating a semi-active suspension system and ceramic Brembo brakes.
