The Ford Mustang GTD has beaten its previous Nürburgring lap time, cementing its position as the fastest US-made car and the fifth fastest production car around the legendary German track.
The Mustang GTD – a road-registrable, track-focussed version of the legendary Pony car – lopped a significant 5.5 seconds off its previous best, posting a 6:52.071 time over the 20.8km Nordschleife layout.
In terms of production cars, only the Mercedes-AMG One (6:29.090), Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Performance Kit (6:43.300), Mercedes-AMG Black Series (6:29.090) and Porsche 911 GT3 RS (6:49.328) have gone faster.
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The faster lap time saw the Ford jump the Porsche 911 GT3 with Manthey Performance Kit to officially become the fourth-fastest production car around the ‘Ring.
The carmaker said the faster lap came courtesy of a recalibrated powertrain, stiffer chassis, retuned ABS and traction control settings, as well as minor body changes to refine the GTD’s aero package.
There was also time left on the table for Mustang GTD’s second run, given efforts at its 2024 visit to the circuit were hampered by changing weather conditions limiting Ford factory driver Dirk Muller.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife, located in the Eifel Mountains, is used by carmakers globally to develop vehicles, its impressive length more than triple the distance around Mount Panorama, Bathurst, in Australia.
The German circuit’s wide array of different corner types across its undulating layout serves up a true test for vehicle dynamics, punishing vehicle brakes, steering, suspension and tyres.
Revealed in early 2024, the GT3-inspired Mustang GTD made its racing debut at last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans and took its first victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race in January 2025.
Road-car production of the Mustang GTD is set to kick off by the middle of 2025 as it hits US showrooms at around $US300,000 ($A465,000).
Ford has confirmed the GTD will only be made in left-hand drive and therefore won’t be sold in Australia.
The Ford Mustang was Australia’s most popular sports car from 2016 to 2022, overtaken by the Subaru BRZ in 2023 and relegated to third after the BMW 2 Series toppled the BRZ in 2024.