Meet the Mustang GTD’s Aerodynamic Design

Creating a track titan takes precision planning and expert design, and Ford wasted none of these things on the Mustang GTD, the first vehicle of its kind. The vehicle, which is coming up on the chance to make its name racing at Nürburgring, is targeting a time of under seven minutes to complete the track’s iconic 73 curves. The Mustang GTD’s design is what allows this to even be possible, using active aerodynamic tech that’s illegal for GT3-class race cars and never been seen before on street legal Fords.

Meet the Mustang GTD’s Drag Reduction System, a sophisticated hydraulic system built into the entire design of the car to increase its aerodynamic qualities and help it cut through resistance. The system changes the angle of the rear wing and activates flaps under the front of the car to find the perfect balance between airflow for speed and downforce for grip, depending on performance conditions. It’s a high-tech solution that optimizes every second of track time for the Mustang GTD.

“Every surface, body opening and vent on and under Mustang GTD’s body is functional,” said Greg Goodall, Mustang GTD chief program engineer. “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.”

On the track, sheer speed is most important on straightaways and areas without much curve. However, on sharp turns and tight curves, grip becomes the crucial quality to ensure that the driver can maintain control. During these moments, the Drag Reduction System closes the main wing element and flap, creating an integrated airfoil to generate additional downforce on the rear of the vehicle. This lets the GTD take turns at top speed without losing traction. The vehicle’s keel-shaped front underbody also helps evacuate incoming air through the front wheel wells and large fender louvers to create an area of lower pressure that acts like suction, helping to keep the front end stable through turns.

“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 allow actively managing airflow. Our Le Mans drivers would love to have the technology Mustang GTD has for the track and street.”

This highly advanced technology is just part of the Mustang GTD supercar. The team is still refining the vehicle’s aerodynamics, using thousands of hours of virtual airflow simulation in powerful computers, as well as time testing demanding road course tracks from Road Atlanta to Spa in Belgium. Their dedication is what has made the Mustang GTD so impressive thus far, and will help it continue to improve over time!

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