America's seven-minute barrier breaker isn't done yet.
Ford's Mustang GTD continues pounding the Nürburgring asphalt, hunting for even faster lap times after already securing its place in history.
The supercharged brute demolished the seven-minute barrier with a certified 6:57.685 lap last December. No American production car had ever cracked that threshold before.
The Hellish Hardware
The GTD doesn't just wear a Mustang badge – it's packing hardware that would make GT3 race engineers jealous:
- Supercharged 5.2-liter V8 delivering 815 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque
- Carbon-fiber bodywork and carbon-ceramic brakes
- Semi-active suspension with motorsport-derived active aerodynamics
- Top speed of 202 mph with engine redline at 7,650 rpm
Ford unleashed professional driver Dirk Müller on the 12.9-mile Nordschleife with a mission: prove American muscle could hang with European exotics where it matters most.
Breaking Barriers, Setting Records
The sub-seven-minute lap didn't just happen. It fulfilled a direct promise from Ford CEO Jim Farley.
The GTD now sits as the fifth-fastest production car ever to lap the Green Hell. The car that did it wasn't some stripped-out special either – just a production model with the safety equipment required for Nürburgring testing.
Those mandatory additions included a competition seat, five-point harness, and roll cage. Everything else came straight from the factory.
Continuing the Hunt
Ford engineers aren't satisfied. Testing continues at the Nürburgring with Ford confident there's more speed to extract.
The GTD represents Ford Performance's masterclass in translating race technology to the street. Unlike the GT3 race car, the GTD isn't restricted by racing regulations – allowing engineers to implement technologies that would be illegal in competition.
The entire journey has been documented in "The Road to the Ring" behind-the-scenes video, showcasing exactly how Ford transformed America's pony car into a legitimate supercar hunter.
With testing ongoing and Ford hungry for even faster times, the GTD's ultimate potential remains untapped. European exotics, consider yourselves on notice.
