Ford has reopened applications for the Mustang GTD in Europe, ending a longer wait for buyers outside the U.S. The automaker is also highlighting new images of its Spirit of America design, a special look introduced earlier this year to celebrate 250 years of American independence.
Mustang GTD Applications Open Through October 16
In the U.S., Ford reopened Mustang GTD buyer applications in April. European customers can now apply through October 16, giving interested buyers a little over a month to make their case for ownership.
The Spirit of America design features an asymmetric combination of a Performance White body with Race Red and Lightning Blue stripes. The design also reinterprets the Mustang tri-bar for the contemporary age.
While the patriotic color scheme may not appeal to every European buyer, successful applicants will have numerous other choices available.
European Mustang GTD Buyers Have Multiple Options
The Spirit of America package includes the Performance Package and Forgeline wheels, but it is only one of the available design choices.
Other finishes that have been shown include Lamborghini purple and Liquid Carbon, an exposed composite finish. Buyers who want a unique color to remain exclusive can choose Ford’s Exclusive Extended Color Palette Lock-Out option, which guarantees one-of-one status.
All of these customization choices add to the final price. The Mustang GTD starts at well over $300,000 in the U.S., meaning its European price will be well over €300,000.
Mustang GTD vs. Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung
Despite its price, the Mustang GTD is described as a bargain compared with the new 637-horsepower Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, which is rumored to cost more than half a million of the buyer’s preferred currency.
The special-edition AMG has some similar design cues and is considerably rarer, with production limited to 30 units. However, it is also significantly less powerful than the Mustang GTD’s advertised 815 hp, a figure that may be conservative.
The AMG 646 was revealed on Friday, raising the possibility that Ford noticed similarities between the Mythos-line Mercedes and its own creation and chose to reopen applications at this time. Regardless, European buyers now have access to the Mustang GTD, which can become considerably more expensive when American supercars are imported rather than purchased directly from the manufacturer.
Mustang GTD Takes Aim at Global Supercar Rivals
The Mustang GTD serves as a halo model in Ford Racing’s lineup, standing alongside cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Its availability in Europe gives the model a stronger position as a global competitor to high-performance supercars.
Expanding the GTD’s presence in Europe could also benefit sales of GT and EcoBoost models. The GTD remains extremely expensive for a Mustang, particularly compared with the Corvette ZR1.
However, the Mustang GTD is positioned as being close to a racecar for the road, while its Nürburgring exploits have demonstrated its capabilities in the right hands. Although the GTD is arguably too wide for most European back roads, the car is most at home on a track.
With European applications now open through October 16, buyers in the region have their opportunity to apply for Ford’s Mustang GTD.
