8 hours ago
The Mustang GTD Is Revving Up To Be Ford's Crown Jewel
The Mustang has been a popular car for Ford since its first generation. With such an impressive legacy, there are high expectations for the upcoming Mustang GTD. However, based on what Ford has revealed about the supercar thus far, the automaker aims for the vehicle to be a crowning achievement.
Their latest tease shows off the GTD's advanced Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve rear shock absorbers like they are prize jewels. Ford's letting everyone know they are about to unleash something special.
A press release from Ford highlights the state-of-the-art semi-active suspension of the Mustang GTD. Notable is how the car's in-cabin suspension window, which is also visible from outside the GTD, shows off its rear suspension like it's "jewelry." According to Ford, this cutting-edge semi-active suspension system is at all four corners of the vehicle. This system features a race-proven tubular subframe with a pushrod-actuated rear end.
Ford states that the engineering company Multimatic created the GTD's Adaptive Spool Valve dampers. This creation aimed to "bring race car technology to the road" so that GTD drivers could have enhanced "agility and confidence" in challenging track driving circumstances. According to Ford, these Adaptive Spool Valve dampers can go from their softest to firmest setting in 15 milliseconds.
Jim Owens, the marketing manager for the Mustang GTD, said of the rear suspension's aesthetic appeal, "The rear suspension is designed for purpose, but it's also just a beautiful thing to look at."
Owens added that the window framing the GTD's suspension system is necessary, allowing anyone who sees the car to admire the rear suspension's beauty and performance. "It would have been a shame for us to hide it away, never to be seen. With the suspension window, owners can admire the blue and gold accents on the dampers without removing the tech panel, and the passenger can literally watch the suspension in action."
Ford's decision to display the GTD's rear suspension system is a novel idea. The automaker equates the display window to a Skeleton dial, allowing people to observe and admire the inner workings of a "finely crafted precision timepiece."
Owens added that the display window and what it reveals about the GTD's inner workings are "just plain cool." It's also a stylistic touch, which he believes GTD "owners will appreciate." Ford states that the GTD's picturesque display window measures about 24 inches wide and 10 inches tall and has a scratch-resistant coating on both sides. The automaker also specifies that they made the window out of polycarbonate.
More than simply adding an aesthetic flourish to the latest edition of an iconic vehicle, the GTD's suspension system breaks new ground for a Mustang. According to the Mustang GTD's Chief Program Engineer, Greg Goodall, "We've never done a suspension like this on a Mustang."
Goodall added that with Ford setting high expectations for the Mustang GTD's debut in Europe in the coming weeks, the vehicle's suspension needed to do things it has never done before: "To meet the aggressive lap time targets we set, we looked to motorsports for that inspiration to do something advanced. This cutting-edge suspension and advanced dampers are key to turning a Mustang into a Mustang GTD."
The Mustang GTD will compete in June at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. Later this year, it will attempt an officially timed sub-seven-minute lap at Germany's iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife track.
Racing technology played a significant role in shaping the GTD's innovative suspension setup. Instead of mounting the shocks and springs above and in line with the rear wheels, the GTD's inboard rear suspension tucks them low and between the wheels, just like you'd see on a purpose-built race car. Multimatic's proprietary Adaptive Spool Valve dampers take things even further, bringing serious motorsport engineering to the street.
These dampers can shift from their softest to firmest setting in just 15 milliseconds — about six times faster than the blink of an eye. Each one features a dual-spring design. In Track mode, the system can hydraulically compress one of those springs, lowering the car by approximately 40 millimeters and doubling the spring rate to enhance its track-ready performance.
That stiffer spring rate isn't just for show: it enhances both mechanical and aerodynamic grip. And when the GTD's active aero kicks in and starts pressing the car down at speed, those firmer springs fight aerodynamic squat, keeping the tires planted and maximizing grip through every corner, brake zone, and straight-line launch.
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The Mustang GTD isn't just a high-performance Mustang. It's a whole new chapter in the Mustang story. Ford went all in, blending serious race tech with jaw-dropping design to create something that feels fresh, bold, and totally exhilarating. That suspension window isn't just a cool detail; it's a full-on celebration of what makes this car so special.
From the lightning-fast dampers to the aggressive aero and track-ready stance, every piece of the GTD screams performance. Whether it's tearing through the Nürburgring or stealing the spotlight at a car meet, this is more than just a Mustang. It's Ford showing off what they can really do, and we're absolutely here for it.
