Ford’s Mustang GTD—already famous for recording a sub-seven-minute lap of the Nürburgring—was unleashed on the Top Gear test track to answer a direct and deliberate question: can America’s most extreme Mustang outpace the benchmark set by the Porsche 911 GT3 RS?
Based on Ford’s Mustang GT3 racer but pushed even further, the GTD is powered by an 815-horsepower supercharged 5.2-liter V8 and backed by extensive carbon-fiber bodywork, widened tracks, and Multimatic spool-valve suspension. Active aerodynamics—including front splitter flaps and a DRS-equipped rear wing—maximize downforce in corners and reduce drag on straights. Despite weighing nearly two tons, the car is engineered to function as a true track weapon.
Ford has been explicit about its target. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS previously held a 1:14.8 lap at the Top Gear test track, and that was the number to beat. The GTD tested was the Nürburgring lap-time car, complete with safety gear and stripped of comforts such as air conditioning to offset added weight.
On Dunsfold’s uneven, demanding surface, the GTD delivered. The Stig extracted a near-perfect lap, showcasing remarkable braking stability, cornering grip, and composure at the limit. The result: a 1:13.7 lap time, over a second quicker than the GT3 RS.
