In a tribute to 40 years of Mustang performance, Ford has introduced the new Mustang GT-R concept, based on the '05 Mustang, to rekindle the car's road-racing glory and 5.0L magic. Unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April, the GT-R is painted bright Valencia Orange-inspired by the famous Grabber Orange '70 Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am race cars-and features a 440hp "Cammer" crate engine and athletic handling. Already prepped for a variety of race series, the GT-R could be offered to weekend warriors as an affordable, factory-supplied race package. Built at Saleen Special Vehicles in Troy, Michigan, the car was developed by the same members of the Ford GT "Dream Team" who are building subassemblies and painting body panels for Ford's first supercar.
"The Mustang GT-R blends today's breathtaking design, Ford Racing's unmatched history, and the most advanced racing technology into the ultimate Mustang," said J Mays, Ford group vice president of design. "Mustang's iconic image grew with every checkered flag, so we think the Mustang GT-R is an appropriate tribute to the car's 40th anniversary, and a hint at what's to come."
A technological showcase, the GT-R incorporates a number of existing or production-feasible racing parts. It's powered by Ford Racing's 440hp Cammer crate engine that's already available to grassroots racers, and can be tuned to produce more than 500 hp under certain race series rules. Helping put the power to the ground is the Ford Racing-supplied TTC T56 six-speed transmission linked to the engine through a heavy-duty clutch and flywheel assembly. Power exits the transmission through a custom metal-matrix composite aluminum driveshaft into a race-specification differential with a 4.56:1 final drive ratio.
Engineered to tackle the world's toughest road and street courses with a stiff structure based on the all-new '05 Mustang, the GT-R features a collection of the most sophisticated racing parts from many racing series and a Formula One-inspired steering wheel. However, the Mustang GT-R could be easily transformed into an affordable, competitive option for grassroots teams because it uses 85 percent of the '05 Mustang's body components along with the same suspension setups.
The production suspension geometry is retained, but key parts were replaced to reduce weight or provide additional strength for the rigors of racing. Suspension pieces, including the K-member, are made of lightweight chrome-moly tubing. The race-proven dampers are coilover, fully adjustable units featuring remote reservoirs. A strut-tower brace increases structural rigidity.
Rounding out the chassis package are huge, race-proven Brembo brakes. The front features 14.3-inch rotors with six-piston calipers; the rear has 13-inch rotors with four-piston calipers. Linking the whole package to the racetrack are 20-inch wheels and racing slicks provided by Pirelli. Tire sizes range from 275/35 in front to 305/30 in the rear.
The Mustang GT-R is engineered with modern aerodynamics principles, including a massive front airflow opening and carbon-fiber belly pans that reduce underbody air turbulence.
While conceptual in spirit, the Mustang GT-R is built by racers and is a capable performer with an eye toward stepping up the Mustang's road-racing presence. Several racing series-American Le Mans, SCCA Trans-Am, GrandAm Cup, and the FIA-could easily accommodate the Mustang GT-R. For example, the car could meet some series rules with only basic modifications to the brakes, wheels, tires, and body parts.
The Mustang GT-R also hints at a turnkey grassroots-racing package that could be retailed through Ford Racing's parts catalog and distribution network.
"The GT-R is the Mustang racers would build if they weren't bound by various road racing rules," said Ford Racing's Dan Davis. "We were fortunate to start with a rigid, well-balanced, production Mustang that was proven on the track by some of the same people who, in previous jobs, helped Ford Racing win on Sundays."