However, it may surprise you to know that the VW Scirocco GTI was the first VW to wear that prestigious badge. While the mighty Golf GTI will always be known for starting the hot hatch class. The aero kit heading to the Mustang GTD looks like what you’d want if you were heading to the racetrack. The rear wing is hydraulically controlled to give you downforce when you want it. Pressure-reducing vents in the front fenders and hood look like pieces pulled from a dedicated Le Mans racer.

• It also means you’re not going to have too much space for your groceries, as the rear suspension fills the trunk space.
• If this isn’t wild enough, Ford threw out its standard Mustang rear suspension and pivoted to a pushrod-style, inboard suspension.
• The automaker is keeping the GTD’s final weight under wraps for the time being.

The entry-level version of Ford’s latest pony car is only now hitting the streets en masse. Motivation comes courtesy of a slightly modified version of the Shelby GT500’s supercharged 5.2-liter V-8. In GTD guise, the blown bent eight ought to make around 800 horsepower—up from the GT500’s 760 horsepower—and redline at 7500 rpm.

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The front also uses DSSV dampers but opts for a short-long arm-style suspension to control the wheels. If that’s not interesting enough, Ford is also launching this Mustang with a semi-active suspension. The spring rates and ride height are affected by a hydraulic system.

For those wanting the most extreme aero package, Ford will offer a carbon-fiber underbody that comes with hydraulically actuated, active front flaps. Forged aluminum wheels come standard, but even lighter forged magnesium wheels are optionally available to further reduce unsprung weight. Dedicated cooling ducts help keep the front rotors from overheating. After seeing the clay model of the Ford Mustang GT3 race car in the design studio, Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley decided the Blue Oval needed to turn it into a road car. If you are an automotive enthusiast, you can’t but get excited by the simple three initials GTI. GTI may invoke up memories of your first drive in a sports car or your teenagehood where you would dream of owning the legendary Golf GTI.

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The GTD contains many of the sporting accessories found on the equivalent GTI model, with the exception, of grey checkered fabric interior, replacing the GTI red tartan. As a maker of dependable family cars, Volkswagen hadn’t included gtd system the sporty GTI within their hatchback range. Maybe in part due to the previously tricky reception received for the Beetle “GSR”, “Yellow-Black Racer” in 1973. Massive carbon ceramic rotors are clamped by similarly impressive calipers.