Mustang – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com Latest car news and advice blog Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:07:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://engineicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-ME_favicon-1-32x32.png Mustang – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com 32 32 The Ford Mustang GTD Might Have Just Destroyed the Chevy Corvette ZR1X’s Nurburgring Lap Record https://engineicon.com/the-ford-mustang-gtd-might-have-just-destroyed-the-chevy-corvette-zr1xs-nurburgring-lap-record/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:36:24 +0000 https://engineicon.com/the-ford-mustang-gtd-might-have-just-destroyed-the-chevy-corvette-zr1xs-nurburgring-lap-record/

There just might be a new American king of the Nurburgring.

Multiple videos across the Internet show the Ford Mustang GTD blasting around the Nurburgring on Tuesday in what appears to clearly be a record attempt. A video on StatesideSupercars Youtube channel embedded below claims the updated Mustang GTD ran the ‘Ring in 6:41.74.

6:41.74 FORD MUSTANG GTD (EVO) NÜRBURGRING LAP Record Attempt, Outside footage & Timing!





If true, that would mean the Ford Mustang GTD just absolutely destroyed the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1‘s ‘Ring time of 6:50.763 and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X‘s ‘Ring time of 6:49.275. Further, that would make the Mustang GTD quicker around the ‘Ring than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series, Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR, and even the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Manthey Performance.

Ford was out for blood, and it might’ve gotten it.

StatesideSupercars notes that the timing of 6:41.74 might be off by a second plus or minus due to the start and finish line being out of sight. Even if the time isn’t 100%, that still makes the Mustang GTD the American ‘Ring king. Further, it puts the Mustang GTD in absolute rarified air.

The Mercedes-Benz AMG One ran the ‘Ring in 6:29.090. The AMG One is basically a street-legal supercar with an F1 race car powertrain. That makes all this bananas.

A Ford spokesperson told The Drive,“Like we said, game on.” Indeed.

For history sake, the Ford Mustang GTD was the first American car to run a sub 7-minute lap around the ‘Ring. Then Ford beat its own record by 5.5 seconds months later. Then Team Chevy came and ruined Ford’s day by beating the Mustang GTD with both the Corvette ZR1 and ZR1X.

Ford CEO Jim Farley took it personally. Farley congratulated Team Chevy and immediately said, “Game on.” He was serious.

Team Ford showed back up to the ‘Ring with a modified Mustang GTD back in October. Clearly the Blue Oval was testing updates for what would later become a record run. That record run, and subsequent new record, seems to possibly have taken place yesterday.

We’ll await final word from Ford. There just might be a new champ in town, and it wasn’t a second or two that Ford shaved off. This time Ford might have shaved off 10.3 seconds, give or take a second. Impressive.

Got a tip about a new record? Send us a note at tips@thedrive.com




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Shelby’s New GT350/TA Is a Manual Mustang Rarer Than the GTD https://engineicon.com/shelbys-new-gt350-ta-is-a-manual-mustang-rarer-than-the-gtd/ Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:49:24 +0000 https://engineicon.com/shelbys-new-gt350-ta-is-a-manual-mustang-rarer-than-the-gtd/

No matter how you like your Mustang, there’s something for everyone, and Shelby American just added to the available offerings with the 2026 Shelby GT350/TA, a street-legal supercharged ‘Stang with more power than a GTD and several upgrades intended to make it the ideal track day toy. As the name implies, the car is inspired by the Trans Am road racing series and various Fords that competed therein, and just 70 will be made for the 2026 model year, making it rarer than the Mustang GTD or any current Corvette. Limited editions are rarely cheap, and this one is no different, as we’ll discuss shortly, but the GT350/TA comes exclusively with something that almost no rival does: a manual transmission.

Supercharged GT350/TA Makes Big Power

Shelby American

Like the other Shelby Mustangs revealed recently (Super Snake and GT350), the GT350/TA is based on the Mustang GT, which means a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 under the hood that is just begging to be supercharged. Shelby has duly obliged with the help of Whipple, boosting output to over 830 hp. But making power means nothing if you can’t use it, so Shelby has also fitted an intercooler along with its extreme engine cooling package. A high-flow exhaust with four black tips has been installed to let the engine breathe better, and the half shafts have been upgraded to ensure the extra power doesn’t result in implosion. Thinking along the same lines, hardened extended wheel studs have been fitted to Forgeline VX1S racing wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires. Behind the gloss black wheels, Pro-System Alcom Trans Am Cup brakes have been fitted.

Shelby American


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Shelby also took the time to fit fully adjustable coilovers with remote reservoirs, upgraded rear shock absorbers, new adjustable sway bars front and rear, and an upgraded limited-slip differential with a remote pump and heat exchanger – all of which are designed to sustain lengthy periods of abuse on track. The manual transmission gets a short-throw shifter, and the hood is an aluminum piece with carbon fiber vents. Shelby also replaced the front bumper with its new fascia and grille, while the back is made more aggressive with a new rear deck. Opt for the aero package, and you get carbon fiber splitters, dive planes, grille inserts, side skirt extensions, and a massive adjustable rear wing atop a ducktail carbon fiber trunk lid. A carbon fiber rear diffuser with an integrated cooler for the diff also appears, and various graphics finish off the tuned look.

More Carbon Fiber Inside

Shelby American


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The instrument panel trims have been skinned in carbon fiber, too, as have the door panel trims and the console surround, while the console itself is wrapped in leather. Speaking of, the seats feature Shelby embroidery, and the cabin is further uplifted with a carbon fiber shifter handle, GT350/TA badges, a serialized dash panel, and Shelby-branded floor mats and sill plates. The most noteworthy interior upgrade is a 4130 Chrome Moly Tig-welded four-point cage. The 2026 Shelby GT350/TA comes in Race Red, Grabber Blue, Shadow Black, Oxford White, Carbonized Gray metallic, and Orange Fury, and pricing starts at $219,995 (based on a 2026 Mustang GT 401A at $55,975 and Shelby’s package at $164,020). For not very much more, you could have a 911 GT3 RS ($250,000), or for a little less, you could have a Corvette ZR1X ($209,700), but neither of those cars comes with a manual transmission, nor the whine of a supercharger.

Sheby American


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Quick Take: 2025 Ford Mustang Dark Horse https://engineicon.com/quick-take-2025-ford-mustang-dark-horse/ Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:27:00 +0000 https://engineicon.com/quick-take-2025-ford-mustang-dark-horse/ Published:  June 10th, 2025

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