Ford Mustang GTD Competition smashes Nürburgring record with 6:40 lap
An upgraded supercharged V8, more downforce and less weight help the Ford Mustang GTD Competition beat the Corvette ZR1X by more than eight seconds at the Nürburgring.
Rob Leigh
Key takeaways
- Ford Mustang GTD Competition sets 6:40 Nürburgring lap, beating Corvette ZR1X
- Supercharged 5.2-litre V8 now makes more than 815 horsepower
- Limited serialised production run confirmed, pricing not yet announced
Ford has reclaimed the fastest American car title at the Nürburgring. The Ford Mustang GTD Competition lapped the Nordschleife in 6 minutes and 40.835 seconds, beating the previous Mustang GTD record by more than 11 seconds and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X's 6:49.275 by over eight seconds.
Ford Performance and Multimatic factory driver Dirk Müller was behind the wheel for all three record-setting GTD runs, dating back to the original 6:57 lap in 2024.
What's changed on the Ford Mustang GTD Competition?
Four areas got the most attention: power, aero, grip and weight.
The supercharged 5.2-litre V8 has been tuned beyond the standard GTD's 815 horsepower output, though Ford hasn't confirmed an exact figure. New rear wing modifications, secondary front dive planes and rear carbon-fibre aero discs add downforce without hurting efficiency.
Magnesium wheels, carbon bucket seats and lighter dampers cut weight from the standard car's 1,998 kg kerb mass, though again, Ford hasn't put a number on the savings. New high-performance tyres round out the mechanical changes.
Where does it sit on the Nürburgring leaderboard?
The GTD Competition currently ranks sixth on the pre-production and prototype leaderboard, behind the Porsche 919 Evo, Volkswagen ID.R, Ford GT Mk IV, Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Prototype and Lotus Evija X. Once production begins, it will slot in behind the Mercedes-AMG One (6:29.09) as the second-fastest production car overall.
Ford CEO Jim Farley was blunt about the rivalry with Chevrolet, saying "when we said 'game on', we meant it."
Pricing and availability
Ford will offer the GTD Competition as a limited, individually numbered production run, though pricing hasn't been confirmed. The standard Mustang GTD retails for US$327,960, so expect a significant premium. For context, the Corvette ZR1X starts at US$223,195.
Ford Australia has no plans to sell the Mustang GTD locally, but the standard GTD has been added to the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles Register opening a pathway for personal importation. At least one Australian collector is understood to have secured a factory allocation. However, the GTD is only built in left-hand drive, meaning it would likely remain a track-only vehicle in most Australian states and territories. Expect a price north of A$500,000 before import costs.
No details have been announced on Australian access to the GTD Competition variant. Ford has reopened applications for the standard GTD in North America.
Frequently asked questions
How fast is the Ford Mustang GTD Competition at the Nürburgring?
The Ford Mustang GTD Competition lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6 minutes and 40.835 seconds, making it the fastest American car to lap the circuit.
How much horsepower does the Ford Mustang GTD Competition have?
Ford confirms the supercharged 5.2-litre V8 produces more than the standard GTD's 815 horsepower, but an exact figure hasn't been released.
How much does the Ford Mustang GTD Competition cost?
Pricing hasn't been announced. The standard Ford Mustang GTD starts at US$327,960, so the Competition version will cost more.
