If the V8 engine is in its final throes, then the American makers are ensuring it’s going out in suitably outrageous fashion. Following hot on the heels of the twin-turbo Corvette ZR1 is the Mustang GTD; while we knew plenty about it beforehand, exact power and torque numbers from the 5.2-litre, supercharged Voodoo V8 hadn’t been announced. Now we know exact numbers: 826hp (815 SAE-certified imperial ponies), 664lb ft (or a nice, round 900 newton metres) and a 202mph top speed (making only the mid-engined GTs faster Fords in its history).
Some mighty numbers, no doubt, even from a model famed for its punchy performance (remember the old GT500 was rated at 760hp). Ford has got the dry-sumped Voodoo to such a number by allowing a few more revs (a 7,650rpm cutout is 100rpm up on before), a shorter supercharger pulley, a titanium exhaust and modifications to both the intake and exhaust systems. This is the first time a Mustang has ever been dry-sumped, for some idea of just how serious Ford is taking this GTD project. It has a Drag Reduction System as standard, for crying out loud.
It’s all with one aim in mind, of course: that sub-seven-minute lap of the Nordschleife. Which would be an incredible achievement for any car, let alone a large, relatively heavy, front-engined one. Only the AMG GT Black Series has achieved it so far, with 730hp. It wasn’t that long ago that six-something minute laps were the preserve of the hybrid hypercars - now there’s a Mustang eyeing one up.
Chief Program Engineer of the GTD Greg Goodall says this monster is “the first-ever supercar with world-class performance and the soul of a Mustang”, which does sound pretty awesome. He added: “We've combined the work of talented engineers and designers, as well as an extremely capable driver, with Mustang GTD technology, power and aerodynamics. We can’t wait to deliver on our sub-7-minute promise to GTD customers.” That’s going to be a video well worth watching. And just imagine how it might drive…
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