Ford Unveils Two High-powered Mustangs at Detroit Auto Show

Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn used its Detroit Auto Show preview for employees, dealers, and media to unveil a pair of high-powered Mustangs.
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Drift racer Vaughn Gittin Jr. piloted the Ford Mustang RTR onto the Detroit Auto Show floor. // Photo courtesy of Ford

Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn used its Detroit Auto Show preview for employees, dealers, and media to unveil a pair of high-powered Mustangs.

The Mustang RTR and Mustang GTD Spirit of America were revealed amid smoke and lights during a program that also included an appearance by Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

The Mustang RTR is a joint project with RTR Vehicles, a company that provides performance upgrades for Ford products owned by two-time drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr., who drove the new vehicle onto the show floor.

Mustang RTR represents only the second time in Mustang’s history that Ford has sold a performance model co-created with an outside partner and offered from the factory.

“From Mustang GTD to Mustang Dark Horse to the new Mustang RTR, there’s a high-performance pony for every Mustang fan and customer,” says Jim Baumbick, vice president of Ford Product Development. “The RTR team has so much passion and experience on and off the track that we’ve partnered to develop the most exciting, enthusiast focused EcoBoost Mustang ever.”

RTR previously helped develop Mustang’s class-exclusive available drift brake on current seventh-generation Mustang Performance Packages, which brings track-based performance to Mustang with options for every level of driver who wants to smoke some tires and practice their reverse entry cornering on the racetrack.

The production electronic drift brake fuses the rear-wheel-drive drifting capability of Mustang with the visual appeal and functionality of a traditional, mechanical hand brake.

“I’m pumped to have the opportunity to create what we believe is the most exciting turbocharged Mustang ever,” says Gittin. “This Mustang RTR is pure accessible fun, with many enhancements, including Mustang Dark Horse components, Mustang EcoBoost’s near-perfect weight distribution, and RTR’s signature styling, it’s ready for drifting, drag racing, back-road cruising, or ripping around an autocross track. The new Mustang RTR is truly Ready to Rock.”

Mustang RTR also opens up the performance aperture to more customers, especially first-time track enthusiasts.

“If it involves driving fast or having fun, Ford is giving Mustang customers the tools to do it,” says Joe Bellino, Mustang brand manager. “From Drift Brake to Line Lock to Mustang Unleashed and the new features coming to Mustang RTR, Ford won’t stop innovating with Mustang.”

The other Mustang making its debut at the Detroit Auto Show is the Mustang GTD Sprit of America, named after the Bonneville Salt Flats speed king Craig Breedlove’s record-setting vehicles.

“Mustang GTD is the pinnacle of Mustang performance,” says Jim Owens brand manager for Mustang GTD. “Mustang GTD Spirit of America celebrates the daring behind that performance. Mustang GTD wouldn’t have been possible without people like Craig Breedlove, pushing the edge of the envelope and challenging the Goliaths of the day in an all-American way.”

To bring Mustang GTD Spirit of America to life, Ford Design created a Performance White body with twin racing stripes in Race Red and Lightning Blue, mimicking the iconic red, white, and blue Mustang tribar that debuted in 1964. The stripes run the length of the car’s body. The design also matches the overalls that Craig Breedlove wore when he broke both the 500- and 600-mile-per-hour barriers in the 1960s.

Exposed carbon fiber is a primary element on the Mustang GTD Spirit of America’s aerodynamic elements, including the front splitter, as well as on the rear diffuser and spoiler. That spoiler includes Race Red end plates and a “MUSTANG” wordmark on the underside. Owners have a choice of Race Red or exposed carbon-fiber mirror caps, while Race Red calipers are standard. Additionally, the Mustang GTD Performance Package is standard.

Mustang GTD Spirit of America features a package-specific seat option to present a unique take on the focused, all-glass cockpit. The seats are leather trimmed with Dinamica inserts. Black Onyx features prominently, with a Race Red gradient stripe down the middle and Re-Entry White trimmings on the exterior, while Victory Blue contrast stitching provides a subtle pop of color. Victory Blue also appears as a contrast element throughout the cabin. The paddle shifters, shift ring, and IP badge are available in 3D-printed titanium, as well.

The all-new 2025 Mustang GTD, including Mustang GTD Spirit of America, is the apex of any Mustang engineered by Ford, the company says. It sets a new performance bar with 815 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque and a top speed of 202 miles per hour, the most of any street-legal Mustang ever.

Mustang RTR and Mustang GTD Spirit of America will remain on display throughout the 2025 Detroit Auto Show.

In Related News: The Ford Ranger has been named 2025 North American Truck of the Year, marking the fifth consecutive year a Ford truck has received the trophy.

“Earning this recognition celebrates our team’s dedication to continuously raising the bar for midsize truck customers,” says Jim Baumbick, vice president of Advanced Product Development, Cycle Plan, and Programs at Ford. “We rigorously tested Ranger in challenging environments around the world to deliver the Built Ford Tough durability our customers demand. This award is a tribute to our customers who inspire us every day.”

To be recognized as the North American Truck of the Year, vehicles must be new or substantially changed for the year. The independent jury of 50 automotive journalists who produce content for a variety of print, broadcast, and digital media in the United States and Canada choose a winner based on innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, user experience, driver satisfaction, and value.