- Ford took the wraps off two high-performance Mustangs prior to the 2025 Detroit auto show
- The Mustang RTR is intended for “first-time track enthusiasts”
- The Mustang GTD Spirit of America upgrades that model’s aerodynamics and pays tribute to Mustang’s racing history
Ford unveiled two new Mustang models, the Mustang RTR and the Mustang GTD Spirit of America, mid-January. Both of these high-performance models will go into production, although Ford is already warning customers that simply telling the company you want to buy one of the very limited GTDs isn’t a guarantee you’ll actually get one.
Ford previewed the two cars prior to the opening of the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, which otherwise didn’t feature any major vehicle debuts this time around.
That “RTR” badge on a Mustang indicates it was created in conjunction with performance company RTR Vehicles, and company founder and race driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. presented the car by drifting a camouflaged version at the event in downtown Detroit. Ford said it’s only the second time in Mustang’s history that a high-performance model has been co-created with an outside partner and then offered as a factory vehicle.
Little else was said about the car, including any specifications or price, other than to say it will be “another thrilling option” alongside the Mustang GT Performance Package, Mustang Dark Horse, and Mustang GTD. All we know is that it will be based on the Mustang EcoBoost, which is driven by a 2.3L turbocharged engine with 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, at least in its untuned factory spec; and that RTR will share some Dark Horse components.
The car shown at the event included “Hyper Lime” Brembo brake calipers and a dark grey pedestal spoiler; and the automaker said the RTR “opens up the performance aperture to more customers, especially first-time track enthusiasts.”
The Mustang GTD Spirit of America is a special edition of the GTD, retaining its supercharged 5.2L V8 making 815 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, and with a top speed of 202 mph (325 mph) while still remaining street-legal. Ford said it’s meant to honour 60 years of Mustang achievement, including its first win at the 1964 Tour de France, and its becoming the first car from an American automaker to lap the Nürburgring in sub-7 minutes.
We’ll take a moment here to mention that the GTD has a maple-leaf connection. It’s first built as a Mustang at Ford’s plant in Flat Rock, Michigan; but then it’s shipped to Markham, Ontario, where Multimatic hand-assembles it with all the stuff that turns it into a GTD. Ford initially said it’s only building 2,000 of them, so the Spirit of America models may be part of that number, which would definitely explain its very limited production. North of the border, the Mustang GTD (without the Spirit of America additions) starts at $440,000; south of the 49th Parallel, it’s US$325,000.
The GTD Spirit of America comes standard with a performance package, and includes twin painted racing stripes from the 1964 model’s logo; exposed carbon fibre on the front splitter, rear diffuser, and spoiler; red end plates and “Mustang” on that spoiler; Race Red calipers; and choice of mirror caps in Race Red or exposed carbon fibre.
Inside are leather-trimmed seats with Race Red stripe and Victory Blue stitching, and the option of having the paddle shifters, shift ring, and instrument panel badge made of 3D-printed titanium. As with the RTR, there’s no word on pricing yet, nor on how many copies will ultimately be available to customers.