Mustang GTD Packs Most Ponies, Targets 911 GT3 RS

The numbers are in and the official count records the new GTD Mustang with 815 horsepower to make it the most powerful road-going Pony Car to ever leave a Ford factory.

Revving to 7650 rpm, fitted with a dry sump, revised intake and titanium exhaust system the supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 also musters 664 lb-ft of torque.

Ford is gunning for a new rival for the mightiest Mustang-Porsche. "We've been laser focused since day one to make Mustang GTD the first-ever supercar with world-class performance and the soul of a Mustang," said Mustang GTD Chief Program Engineer Greg Goodall. "GTD's heart is its supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, packing more horsepower per liter than the Porsche 911 GT3 RS."

Ford has even taken the fight to Porsche's home ground by setting its sights on a sub-seven-second lap of Germany's Green Hell. "We've combined the work of talented engineers and designers, as well as an extremely capable driver, with Mustang GTD technology, power and aerodynamics," said Goodall. "We can't wait to deliver on our sub-seven-minute promise to GTD customers."

It'll take more than just power to beat the GT3 RS's 6:49.328 'Ring time, however. The chassis features unequal length double-wishbone suspension with semi-active dampers-inboard at the rear-and there are carbon-ceramic disc brakes at each corner. The rear transaxle even boasts its own fan-assisted cooler and the propshaft is carbon fiber. On top of that the GTD has active aerodynamics including a Drag Reduction System that can alter the rear wing angle and activate under-floor flaps to aid this Mustang to a top speed of 202 mph.

With this incredible arsenal at its disposal the $325,000 Mustang has every chance of unseating Porsche at the top of the lap charts, not just in Germany but wherever the two go head-to-head.