Ford Mustang GTD Beats Two Generations of Ford GT in Drag Race Showdown

A Mustang With Something to Prove

Ford hasn’t released a new mid-engine supercar to rival the Chevrolet C8 Corvette ZR1, but one could argue the Mustang GTD effectively fills that role. Thanks to Hagerty, its performance has now been put to the test against the Blue Oval’s true supercars from two different eras—the first- and second-generation GT.

With 815 horsepower from a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 on tap, the Mustang GTD would appear poised to dominate both its supercar siblings in a drag race. However, weight plays a crucial role in this type of test – and that’s where the GTs held a clear advantage on paper over the much heavier pony car.

The Math Behind the Matchup

The Ford Mustang GTD tips the scales at over 4,300 lbs – roughly 1,000 lbs heavier than the 2020 GT, which produces 660 horsepower from a 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6. Given the performance gap and the technological advancements separating the two eras, the 2005 GT might seem outmatched from the outset. However, this particular example was equipped with the optional Performance Upgrade package, allowing its 5.4-liter supercharged V8 to deliver as much as 650 hp, though it was riding on tire technology that dates back nearly 20 years.

In the standing-start drag race, the Mustang GTD emerged on top with a quarter-mile time of 10.8 seconds at 132 mph. It was followed closely by the second-gen GT, which recorded a 10.9-second pass at 132 mph. The first-gen GT completed the quarter-mile run in 11.6 seconds at 128 mph.

To further level the playing field, Hagerty also conducted a rolling-start test, eliminating variables such as the launch control advantage of the 2020 GT and the manual shifting required in the older GT.

Rewriting the Mustang Rulebook

Even under these conditions, the Mustang GTD continued to outperform the supercars. The 2005 GT finished in second place, while the newer iteration crossed the line in third – likely due to turbo lag, according to the test drivers.

A decade ago, arguing that a Mustang could outperform a Ford GT would have sounded almost unthinkable. Yet this head-to-head comparison highlights just how far Ford has pushed the Mustang nameplate since its introduction in the 1960s. As appealing as it may be, however, the Mustang GTD remains an exclusive offering, with production reportedly capped at 1,000 to 2,000 units, each carrying a starting price of around $325,000.