Automotive media and content creators from North America and Europe recently spent two days learning about and driving the new Mustang GTD on-road and on the track.
The world’s premiere automotive media and content creators recently spent time behind the wheel of the Mustang GTD during a drive experience on the roads of Palm Springs, California and on the track at the prestigious Thermal Club. Their reviews of Ford’s new road-going racecar have been overwhelmingly positive.
The two-day program began with credentialed media earning their Mustang GTD Test License through the Ford Performance Racing School, while they also learned about Mustang GTD with the help of Ford engineers, as well as production partners Multimatic, the Markham, Ontario-based company with which Ford also partnered on the Ford GT. Mustang GTD suppliers Recaro, Brembo, Michelin, and Tremec also sent SMEs to discuss the seats, carbon-ceramic brakes, tires, and the Mustang GTD’s eight-speed, dual-clutch rear transaxle, respectively.
Hot laps on Thermal’s Indy Car configuration followed the instruction, showcasing Mustang GTD’s speed, braking and driving dynamics. Also, the event’s on-road driving experience included drives from the desert floor all the way to forested mountains. A sampling of the comments from North American and European media about the new Mustang-based supercar are below:
Raves
“This isn’t just a special, historically good Mustang; it’s ostensibly the best version of the car that Ford has ever built in the 60-year history of the marque. Hell, I’ve been reviewing cars for 10 years now, and it’s on the shortlist of the best American cars I’ve ever driven, full stop.” – Car Buzz
“Fortunately, Ford and the folks at Multimatic managed to create a car that’s a flat-out riot, one that’s honest and broadly competent because it’s true to its roots, not in defiance of them. That’s the GTD’s real legacy.” – Hagerty
“The Ford Mustang GTD can only be described as the ultimate expression of a Mustang. It doesn’t just look like a race car; it is a race car — crazy aerodynamics, super exotic suspension and all. It’s the kind of vehicle you might expect from a boutique European manufacturer, but certainly not from Ford.” – Edmunds
“If there was one key takeaway from my all-too-brief experience in Ford’s latest flagship, it is that this horse is out to win.” – The Drive
“The engine is an absolute monster, with great top-end power and enough torque to cover some missed shifts.” – Top Speed
“Wide stance, big aero, and unbelievable power combine to make Ford's new GTD the most hardcore Mustang ever.” – Forbes
“Ford’s goal was to do a sub 7-minute Nürburgring lap, to create a technical showcase for the Mustang brand, and to create a halo car. I’m not saying the Ford Mustang GTD is perfect, but if those were the goals, I have to say Ford pulled it off.” – The Autopian
“The GTD is shockingly easy to drive fast. It is so planted, so settled, and so confident, anyone can get in it and go fast.” – MotorTrend
“On the road, that composure translates into uncommon smoothness. It's a rare car that simultaneously generates such outrageous performance and is this comfortable. This carbon-fiber-bodied track monster puts the grand touring in GTD.” – Car and Driver
“It keeps giving the harder you drive it, never running out of control and delivering flashes of excitement for corner after corner.” – EVO
“The fastest and most expensive factory Mustang ever is a thrill ride on track but impressively civilized on the street.” – Road & Track
Rants
“Unfortunately, Ford also puts a standard Mustang EcoBoost interior into a $300,000-plus car, our one major complaint about the GTD.” – Car and Driver
“And in place of a stick shift, the center console is crowned by a rotary controller for the transmission. That's like the shifter used in a Fusion. At least the dial itself is a unique, digitally printed piece. But, come on, a dial?” – Road & Track
“It’ll drain the 16-gallon fuel tank in less than 200 miles driven nicely, much sooner driven like it’s supposed to be. Plan accordingly.” – MotorTrend
“Priced north of $315,000, this Mustang is way the heck out of our budget.” – Edmunds
“The wide tires pick up every pebble on the road and throw them violently at the undercarriage of the car, and that inspiring exhaust feels slightly anti-social when you’re in the CVS parking lot instead of on the track.” – Car Buzz
“Even set to their softest the GTD feels tautly controlled, but there’s a jagged edge to the way it tackles harsh imperfections, and poor surfaces fizz through the car.” – EVO
“Notably throughout my four hours on the street in the GTD, multiple squeaks and rattles would come and go in various places of the interior.” – The Drive
“I also found that the launch control system seemed to short-shift first gear in a rather jerky fashion.” – The Autopian
“Of course, some things come with the territory for just about any track-oriented street car — the wing makes it hard to tell whether that’s a Highway Patrolman behind you or just another dark SUV.” – Hagerty