First Drive: The Ford Mustang GTD - Is This the Craziest Mustang Ever?

The Ford Mustang GTD: A Unique Proposition

• 💡 The Ford Mustang GTD is presented as a departure from traditional Mustangs, with a unique feel that sets it apart from anything the reviewer has driven before.
• 🚀 Initially perceived as a concept car, faith in its production grew due to the concurrent success of the Mustang GT3 racing program, which required a street-legal homologation version.
• 💰 The GTD's obnoxious price tag, nearing half a million dollars, is a significant point of discussion, raising questions about its value proposition as a Mustang.

Engineering and Performance

• ⚙️ The GTD utilizes the Predator engine from the previous GT500, enhanced with more cooling, and paired with the same DCT transmission.
• 🏎️ Unlike previous Mustangs that might spin their wheels, the GTD offers unprecedented acceleration and composure, dead-hooking even at low speeds due to its transaxle setup and rear-end squat.
• 🛑 Braking power is highlighted as being on par with GT3/GT2 levels, contributing to its impressive performance envelope.

Driving Experience and Comparisons

• 🛣️ The reviewer expresses a strong desire to drive the GTD on a track rather than the street, feeling that only about 40% of its capability could be utilized on public roads.
• 🎯 While not as violent as the C8 ZR1, the GTD offers superior composure and confidence, making it easier to drive for a wider range of people.
• 🚗 The electric steering in the GTD is noted as being less noticeable than in the standard S650 Mustang, suggesting a quick learning curve for track driving.

Road Presence and Practicality

• ✨ The GTD possesses a badass road presence, turning heads and eliciting curiosity from onlookers, often being mistaken for a custom build rather than a Mustang.
• 💯 The reviewer would choose the GTD over a 2020 Ford GT due to its universal appeal and recognition from the public.
• ✅ Despite its supercar performance, the GTD is considered a practical dream car due to its durable, simple Mustang interior and the availability of parts, unlike many other hypercars.

Mustang Lineup Complexity

• 🤔 The current Mustang lineup is described as overwhelming and confusing, with numerous variants like RTR, Shelby, GTD, GT500, GT, and EcoBoost, making it difficult for consumers to navigate.
• 📈 Paradoxically, while the S650 Mustang is reportedly the worst-selling Mustang, the GTD is considered by the reviewer to be the best Mustang ever built.