For nearly two years, the car world has been anxiously awaiting the first deliveries of the 815-horsepower, active aero-equipped, transaxle-employing, Nürburgring-targeted Ford Mustang GTD, the pony car to end all pony cars. Guess what? The first examples have made their way into customer hands, and that includes America’s car dad. Jay Leno has taken delivery of his Ford Mustang GTD and just put out a video with Ford CEO Jim Farley showing all the details on Ford’s new flagship.
Speccing a GTD is a lot more involved than speccing a regular Mustang, and Leno’s done it properly, ticking the box for the Performance Pack which strips out the sound deadening, adds the drag reduction system, and bolts canards and a larger splitter on an already aggressive package. Add in a tasteful shade of blue, plenty of exposed carbon fiber, and serial number 12 to match Leno’s two Ford GTs, and the result is a machine that looks the business. But how does it drive?
Leno’s first impression of how the GTD behaves out on the public road is one you might not expect: “This is way more civilized than I thought it would be.” Indeed, despite having heat exchangers and a transaxle where a trunk would normally go, and clicking off a Nürburgring Nordschleife time of 6:52.072, the Mustang GTD still needs to be a Mustang. As Leno put it, “you could drive this everyday,” which is a huge plus for something so heavily optimized for track performance while still maintaining street legality.
With 815 horsepower on tap and such high cornering capability, Leno notes that “[If] you’re finding the limits of this thing on the public road, you’re going to jail.” However, it still seems enjoyable at sensible speeds, and not just thanks to the wonderful V8 soundtrack. As Leno put it, “In a complimentary way, it’s like a Miata. It feels extremely light and nimble on its feet.” While I can’t confirm this firsthand, it’s a serious bit of praise for a car that weighs more than 4,000 pounds according to its EPA approval documents.
Leno’s particular style of long-form video is especially cool because it highlights nuances of the car that weren’t widely available tidbits of information. For instance, I didn’t realize that the drag reduction system is entirely automatic, meaning you aren’t exercising manual control over the flap in the wing. Sure, it won’t catch the most cars and coffee kudos, but it’s one less thing to think about when you’re concentrating on your lines and braking points.
Likewise, popping the hood reveals a lovely TIG-welded coolant bottle that you definitely don’t get on a standard Mustang, along with a beefy magnesium strut tower brace. I’m also digging the strobing pattern atop the supercharger that ties in with the mesh of the GTD’s various grilles. Oh, and seeing footage of the pushrod rear suspension seen moving through the window in the bulkhead is seriously nifty stuff.
Actually, let’s go back under the hood for a second, because Leno’s Mustang GTD has a sub-zero touch that most of these cars simply won’t have. The intake duct that runs over the core support is signed by everyone who worked on the GTD project. Famously, Leno’s 2005 Ford GT received the same treatment, and it’s great to see the names of the people who put their blood, sweat and tears into this incredible car immortalized.
While a fresh new car means taking it easy during the break-in period, Leno’s overall take on his Mustang GTD is “Well I just love it.” However, don’t be surprised if we hear more soon. Once the break-in period is complete, expect an update video from Jay Leno’s Garage on the monster Mustang, once all 815 horsepower in that 5.2-liter supercharged V8 are ready to go.
Top graphic image: YouTube/Jay Leno’s Garage
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I am more impressed with his autograph collection.
I know Jay is big in the car world, but how would he get 2 Ford GTs, each with the serial number 12?
An 05/06, then a 17-22, but with a VIN ending in -12.
When I went to San Diego, I saw a collection of five cars from a manufacturer (basically the “greatest hits” of the last decade) all with 24 decals on the door.
I believe all the VINs ended in -24 as well.
That makes sense. Somehow I forgot there was a second generation GT (probably due to my love of the 1st generation GT)
Did $kaycog ever migrate from the old lightning site?
Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a long time.
it helps to first ask…
The GTD is incredible in a vacuum, and even cool in reality, but the ZR1 really has just eaten the GTDs lunch. More performance, more power, half the price, and mid-engine exotic proportions, it’s hard to justify the GTD over a ZR1 unless you are a die-hard Ford person. That said, can’t wait for the inevitable head to head testing between the two, because regardless of which wins, I think we’re all better off for both existing in the first place.
In almost any front vs mid engine car pure performance test mid wins every time.
It’s the intagibles and details that really seperate. How is the visibility, lights, wipers, fun, ride and comfort over 8+ hours of US interstate, how many fuel stops per 1000 miles, passenger comfort, luggage space and usability, stares at fuel stops?
Are you driving this alone on the Tail of the Dragon or making a fashion statement down I 95? Use case matters.
Supposedly the Ford GTD is 82 inches wide with the mirrors folded in.
I genuinely had to check that. … and it is. 325mm front tires as well.
I mean, I guess a track that wide, with that much rubber, and it’ll stick.
Seems like a heck of a sledgehammer approach to things though.
“Seems like a heck of a sledgehammer approach to things though”
…welcome to American automotive manufacturing! Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Stuttgart anymore.
I mean, RSRs are 80 inches wide, but that’s a race car. The Ford Mustang GT3 is a race car… and that’s 1.3 inches narrower than the GTD!
Even the last generation Viper ACR was 76.4 inches wide. GT3 RS is 75 inches. A 296 is 77 inches. Even the Aventador was sub-80.
If all you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.
“This is nothing that a huge V8 and massive tires can’t solve”-American engineers, 1950s-present
I’d rather have a ZR1 and keep the extra cash for strippers and blow
And don’t forget hookers!
I’m trying to keep it family friendly, you know?
I suspect there may be some overlap…
I simply would not like my GTD to be civilized, I’m not buying a grand tourer I’m buying a race car for the road. I don’t want to feel comfortable I want it to be an event. Not important since I will probably never be able to afford it, but why would you want a car made by Multimatic and probably the closest thing to a street legal race car to feel comfortable and civilized. Just feels like missing the point.
Jay is an actual customer who is providing actual customer feedback. I understand what you’re saying and where you’re coming from, but we are not real customers and therefore our feedback isn’t real feedback.
No argument from me on that, but I’ll also bet that if the car was a bit more raw and had a bit more of an edge, Jay and pretty much all the other paying customers likely would have still bought one. They may have ended up driving it a bit less around town, but I doubt sales would be effected.
Jay owns many pre-war race cars and still keeps the shiny side up. I suspect bit of civility in a modern race-car for the street is appreciated.
Say what you will about the guy but he has a long track record of owning and being able to drive a lot of unruly vehicles. Hell in addition to classic race cars he also has multiple Ford GTs, a McLaren F1, etc. Those cars aren’t exactly known for being forgiving. He did get himself into trouble in a Carrera GT but so did literally everyone else that’s driven one.
Not a criticism of his skills, the exact opposite in fact. I bet a race car that is “managable” is a boon.
Oh I know, I was agreeing with you
The story at the end of the video about him spec’ing his Dad’s new Ford Galaxie is priceless!
Yup and like all good legends it gets better every time he tells it
Jay Leno has the ability to stand next to an interesting car and make it as exciting as damp white bread. He is cultural novocaine. But, being a guy who made a career out of stealing jokes and then repeating them in a way that ensured they were no longer funny, this is not a surprise. There is a lot of money to be made in making Americans comfortably numb.
That is without a doubt one of the takes of all time.
Signed, “Yours in anger”
So us plebes can get almost that much with the supercharger from Ford, just not the extras that help keep the shiny side up?
Way to go Jay. Looks like you’ve got the trifecta!