Performance is the core focus of the new Mustang GTD, yet it also highlights its artistry and craftsmanship through a cabin designed to exhibit its state-of-the-art, race-ready suspension.
“The rear suspension is designed for purpose, but it’s also just a beautiful thing to look at,” said Jim Owens, Mustang GTD marketing manager. “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.”
The suspension window measures about 24 inches in width and 10 inches in height, crafted from polycarbonate and enhanced with a scratch-resistant layer on both sides, presenting the engineering team’s efforts like a meticulously engineered precision watch.
“With a car as capable as Mustang GTD, we had to do something that’s just plain cool and owners will appreciate,” said Owens.
Race-Proven Technology
The 2025 Ford Mustang GTD exemplifies race-proven technology that informs the development of consumer vehicles, featuring everything from active aerodynamics to a carbon-fiber body, magnesium wheels, and a rear transaxle. Central to this race-to-road transition is the semi-active suspension that supports the most track-capable production Mustang to date.
“We’ve never done a suspension like this on Mustang,” said Greg Goodall, Mustang GTD Chief Program Engineer. “To meet the aggressive lap time targets we set, we looked to motorsports for that inspiration to do something really advanced. This cutting-edge suspension and advanced dampers are key to turning a Mustang into a Mustang GTD.”
The inboard rear suspension of the Mustang GTD—positioning shocks and springs low and between rather than above the rear wheels—is a prime example of track insights applied to road vehicles. This configuration, paired with a robust, stiff, and lightweight motorsport-style tubular subframe, emphasizes the track-inspired essence of the Mustang GTD’s rear design. Additionally, Multimatic’s proprietary Adaptive Spool Valve dampers surpass typical racing standards.
These ASV dampers can adjust from their softest to firmest setting in just 15 milliseconds—significantly faster than a blink of an eye—and continuously adapt based on drive mode, road conditions, and driver input to optimize the contact of Michelin tires with the road.
“Adaptive damping allows more flexibility in absolute ride performance compared to a passive damper,” said Scott Keefer, vice president, Multimatic engineering, “It lets you decouple the ride versus handling compromise that you would normally make in damper tuning. Our system is a double win in that adjustments feel very analog, very natural in terms of motion control.”
Each damper includes two springs, providing a comfortable ride during street driving. In the driver-selectable Track mode, one spring is hydraulically compressed, nearly doubling the overall spring rate and lowering the vehicle by approximately 40 millimetres (about 1.6 inches) to enhance track performance.
The increased spring rate not only enhances mechanical grip but, similar to a race car, also improves aerodynamic grip. As the Mustang GTD’s active aerodynamics exert downward force at high speeds, the stiffer springs of Track mode counteract aerodynamic squat, maintaining a wide tire contact patch during acceleration, braking, and cornering.
The Mustang GTD will be featured at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, followed by appearances at the 24 Hours of Spa and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It will also undergo summer testing in Europe, before attempting an officially timed sub-seven-minute lap of Germany’s legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife later this year.
