Ford has pushed the boundaries of American performance engineering once again, as the Mustang GTD Competition delivered a record-setting lap at Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife. The high-performance model posted a time of 6:40.835, surpassing its own previous benchmark and reinforcing Ford’s presence among the fastest vehicles to tackle the demanding circuit.
The achievement builds on an earlier milestone when the Mustang GTD became the first American-branded car to break the seven-minute barrier at the track. With the updated lap time, Ford now holds the two quickest Nürburgring laps ever recorded by an American manufacturer, alongside the Ford GT Mk IV.
Veteran factory driver Dirk Müller returned behind the wheel to secure the new record, placing the Mustang GTD Competition sixth on the Nürburgring’s Pre-Production and Prototype Class leaderboard. The car’s performance was further validated by Ford Racing engineer Steve Thompson, who completed a lap in 6:49.337 despite having limited experience on the track, logging fewer than 40 laps prior to the run.
Engineers achieved the improved performance through targeted upgrades across several areas. The supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine received hardware enhancements and refined tuning, pushing output beyond the original model’s 815 horsepower. Aerodynamic improvements, including modifications to the rear wing and additional front dive planes, increased downforce while maintaining balance and efficiency.
Grip was enhanced with new high-performance tires, while weight reduction efforts incorporated magnesium wheels, carbon fiber seating, and a lighter suspension system. These combined changes contributed to shaving more than 11 seconds off the previous record.
Ford plans to offer the Mustang GTD Competition as a limited-production, street-legal special edition. To mark the achievement and celebrate the Mustang’s 62nd anniversary, the company has reopened applications for North American customers interested in acquiring the model.
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