Photo: unknown author / screenshot from StangMode on YouTube
Leaked one day before its official premiere at Pebble Beach, the Mustang GTD is a wide-bodied pony car with a midship V8 and many other go-faster touches. To debut on August 17, the mid-engine concept was previewed to a handful of select people on August 14 at an event in Las Vegas.
Why, though? Word has it Ford intends to put said concept into limited production. Wouldn't the Mustang GTD cannibalize sales of the Blue Oval's other mid-engine model? The answer is no, partly because production of the GT ended in the first half of 2023.
A grand total of 18 units were assembled in January followed by a further 12 in February. Chassis number N260 is the final example of the breed, a superb car specified in Antimatter Blue with red brake calipers.
Even if GT production were to continue into the fourth quarter of 2023, nobody would cross-shop a V6-powered supercar against a V8-powered supercar. What's more, the Mustang GTD reportedly features the Coyote V8 engine of the Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse. By comparison, the GT uses an EcoBoost V6 derived from the 3.5-liter unit available in the F-150.
Certain enthusiasts believe that the GTD features a front-mid-engine layout rather than a rear-mid-engine layout. Said enthusiasts may be on to something, more so after you notice the vents (a.k.a. heat extractors) in the hood. As for the air ducts in the rear fenders, those may be for cooling the rear brakes. Pictured on what appears to be Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rubber, the concept further sweetens the deal with red-painted brake calipers and a set of intricate-looking wheels.
A ginormous rear wing and a similarly huge aerodynamic diffuser pretty much seal the deal. No photos of the interior have been leaked thus far, and based on the heavily tinted windows, there may not be an interior at all, which is only natural for a concept car.
Multimatic, the Canadian outfit that built the GT on Ford's behalf, is rumored to be tasked with making the GTD. If the rumor proves to be true, then expect a different platform from the front-engined Mustang.
If it were based on the S650, the Ford Motor Company would manufacture the GTD on the same assembly line as the S650. As you're well aware, Flat Rock is the Mustang's home since the S197 rolled out in 2004.
Last, but certainly not least, should the C8 be worried? If you ask me, I'd say no. The GTD's production version will obviously incorporate a lot of carbon fiber, which would put the GTD in a different price bracket from the Corvette. Think $200k at the very least, not $100k and change for the Z06 or E-Ray.
That being said, what's your take on the soon-to-be-revealed GTD? While it may be a great addition to Ford's lineup, is it actually worthy of the Mustang badge?
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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