Ford Explains How Mustang GTD's Advanced Aero And DRS Systems Work

The Ford Mustang GTD aims to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in under seven minutes and to help it achieve that goal, the supercar has been developed with the same sort of aerodynamic solutions as the spectacular Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

In the Porsche, its two-pronged system features an underbody wing at the front that can be rotated by over 80 degrees, while the traditional wing perched on the rear can either be closed entirely, slightly open, or fully open, creating a drag reduction system, optimizing aerodynamic balance at all times.

Ford does not go into as much detail in explaining how its system works, but it's very, very similar.

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

But while the GT3 RS variably adjusts both wings to maintain a constant 30:70 front-to-rear balance, Ford simply says that "the DRS closes the main wing element and flap to create an integrated airfoil to generate additional downforce at the rear," while at the front, the keel shape of the underbody helps to evacuate incoming air through the vented front fenders, creating an area of low pressure that sucks the car to the floor. But it still looks like the Mustang GTD's balance is always optimized.

"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." These innovations come from hours upon hours of intensive wind tunnel testing, which Ford carried out in its own special facility. In addition, the suspension can drop by 40 millimeters to maximize these aerodynamic effects. When it's time to go home, one can still clear speed bumps. Remember, this is still a street-legal supercar.

While Ford has not given us all the specifics of how its active aero program for the GTD works, it's clear that Ford is making a good case for its place among Europe's elite, and with technical advances like these, the Mustang Dark Horse and its siblings are cooler just by association.

We can't wait to see the Nurburgring lap.