Ford has unveiled the highly limited Mustang GTD with the so-called drag reduction system (DRS); an aerodynamic technology that is never used on street-legal Fords and is illegal in GT3 racing.
Ford Mustang GTD
DRS may sound familiar to motorsports fans as it is used in racing series such as Formula 1. It is an active aero component – operated by hydraulics – that opens and closes the rear wing, finding the right balance between airflow for speed and downforce for grip. Road-going cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS also use this technology.
“Every surface, body opening, and vent on and under Mustang GTD’s body is functional,” said Mustang GTD Chief Program Greg Goodall. Some air is directed for cooling, other for aerodynamics and downforce. All of it to help GTD go faster or stick to the pavement no matter what the conditions are.”
When approaching corners, the aero system’s closed rear wing adds downforce which helps keep the Mustang GTD planted on the ground. This reduces the chances of understeer and oversteer. The front underbody also helps create an area of lower pressure to keep the pony car stable through turns.
DRS in close position
In contrast, it is ideal to open the rear wing on long straight runs for increasing speed faster. By activating the DRS, the drag generated by the rear wing will be reduced as airflow is improved.
At the Nurburgring Nordschleife – which consists of long straights and over 150 corners – the DRS would help the Blue Oval company achieve its target of a sub-seven minute lap in the Mustang GTD.
“We actively manage where the center of air pressure is on the vehicle, so the front and rear can remain balanced,” said Goodall. “The ability to do this isn’t allowed in racing, where the rules don’t alloy actively managing airflow.
DRS in open position
Ford will only produce around 1,000 to 2,000 examples of the Mustang GTD but it is hoped that some can find their way to the Philippines. Currently, though, Ford Philippines is still offering the outgoing sixth-gen iteration in the local market.
See more car technologies at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Ford Mustang 2024
Arguably the most popular vehicle from the Blue Oval company, the Ford Mustang is one powerful coupe that is competing in the market with its sixth-gen model. Ford Mustang 2023 Price Philippines from Php 2,948,000 to Php 7,760,000, depending on the variant. Speaking of variants, the Mustang comes with four variants in the Philippines, namely the 2.3L EcoBoost, 5.0L GT Fastback, 5.0L GT Convertible, and Shelby GT500. The base Mustang uses a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 engine that makes 310 hp and 475 Nm of torque, while the GT variants are powered by a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine that generates 460 hp and 569 Nm of torque. As for the top-spec Shelby GT500, it boasts a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that churns out 760 hp and 847 Nm of torque. Only the Shelby GT500 utilizes a 7-speed Tremec dual-clutch transmission, while the rest offer a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.
In terms of dimensions, this American sports car has a length of 4,788 mm, a width of 2,081 mm, and a height of 1,395 mm. Additionally, it comes with a wheelbase length of 2,721 mm and a ground clearance rated at 137 mm. The Mustang is competing in the local market against the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Nissan 370Z.
₱ 3,048,000 - ₱ 7,760,000
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