When the first-ever Mustang GTD takes on the 73 curves of the Nürburgring, it will be targeting a sub-7-minute time thanks to active aerodynamic tech never before used on a street legal Ford car and illegal in GT3-class race cars.
The heart of Mustang GTD’s aerodynamic performance is its Drag Reduction System, which uses a hydraulic system that can change the angle of the rear wing and activate flaps under the front of the car to find exactly the right balance between airflow for speed and downforce for grip, depending on performance conditions.
When Mustang GTD tackles sharp turns and grip becomes more important than speed, the DRS closes the main wing element and flap to create an integrated airfoil to generate additional downforce on the rear of the vehicle, to help the GTD go faster through turns without losing grip. At the same time, the front underbody is shaped like a keel that helps evacuate incoming air through the front wheel wells and large fender louvers to create an area of lower pressure that acts like suction to help keep the front end stable through turns.
The heart of Mustang GTD’s aerodynamic performance is its Drag Reduction System, which uses a hydraulic system that can change the angle of the rear wing and activate flaps under the front of the car to find exactly the right balance between airflow for speed and downforce for grip, depending on performance conditions.
When Mustang GTD tackles sharp turns and grip becomes more important than speed, the DRS closes the main wing element and flap to create an integrated airfoil to generate additional downforce on the rear of the vehicle, to help the GTD go faster through turns without losing grip. At the same time, the front underbody is shaped like a keel that helps evacuate incoming air through the front wheel wells and large fender louvers to create an area of lower pressure that acts like suction to help keep the front end stable through turns.
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MotorTranscript
00:00 The Ford Mustang GTD is a story of audacious style that's 100% driven by the need to go
00:05 as fast as possible around the track.
00:08 I'm Greg Goodall, Mustang GTD Chief Engineer, here to show you the secret to its supercar
00:12 performance, the drag reduction system.
00:15 This system actively balances the need for sleek aerodynamics to go fast, while also
00:19 creating downforce to maintain grip.
00:22 For sharp turns where grip is important, the system closes the main wing element and front
00:26 flaps.
00:27 Meanwhile, the underbody aero floor uses strakes to funnel air from under the vehicle to the
00:30 sides of the car, and through large fender louvers in the wheel well.
00:34 All of this coming together increases downforce, gluing the car to the tarmac.
00:38 When all out speed is important on the straightaway, the drag reduction system activates.
00:42 Opening the rear wing to reduce drag and downforce, it also opens special front underbody flaps
00:47 to slow the airflow under the car, decreasing the front downforce so the vehicle remains
00:51 balanced.
00:52 This technology helps Mustang GTD constantly optimize performance to deliver the fastest
00:56 lap times of any Mustang ever.
00:58 (whooshing)
01:01 [BLANK_AUDIO]