Mustang GTD on the Dynamometer: Impressive Power Figures
Automakers often state various specifications during the creation and marketing of their products. Horsepower and torque figures tell us what the engine is capable of producing, but they do not show how much of that energy actually reaches the wheels. Now we have learned how much power the Ford Mustang GTD transmits to the wheels, and, in short, it is simply impressive. Even more notable is that Dark Horse SC buyers will receive a similarly outstanding powertrain.
Official Data and Real-World Measurements
First, let’s look at the key figures. Ford states that this ultimate super muscle car, worth over $320,000, delivers 815 horsepower (608 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque at the flywheel. The company Late Model Restoration just conducted tests on its DynoJet dynamometer, and the vehicle showed 753 horsepower (561 kW) and 609 lb-ft (826 Nm) of torque at the rear wheels.
This represents a drivetrain power loss of only 7.6 percent and a torque loss of 8.3 percent. Most performance cars lose between 10 and 25 percent between the flywheel and the wheels, with 15 percent considered a common average. The GTD demonstrates roughly half that loss. The tested car had just over 1,100 miles on the odometer, and the team performed several runs in fifth gear to verify consistency of the results.
Engine Technical Features
This power is achieved thanks to the factory supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine, working in tandem with an eight-speed Tremec TR-9080 dual-clutch transmission. The runs were performed in fifth gear. Not only is the peak power impressive, but also the way this power is delivered.
The GTD reaches over 500 lb-ft surprisingly early and maintains a dense, flat torque wave through the mid-range before powerfully extending all the way to the redline. It is this characteristic that makes the car feel aggressive throughout the entire range, not just during a showcase dynamometer run. And this is where the comparison with the old Shelby GT500 becomes particularly interesting.
Comparison with the Shelby GT500
On the same dynamometer, the Shelby GT500 with the carbon fiber Track Package previously showed 677.9 horsepower (506 kW) at the rear wheels and 566.2 lb-ft (768 Nm) of torque. Even accounting for drivetrain loss corrections, the GTD is in a different league, with approximately 75 more horsepower and 43 more lb-ft of torque at the wheels.
This difference is significant, but the broader torque delivery is even more important. And this is especially relevant for Dark Horse SC buyers, as they gain access to nearly the same engine as the GTD, but for significantly less money.
It is worth noting that such low drivetrain power losses (around 7-8%) indicate the high efficiency of the new Tremec TR-9080 transmission and the overall powertrain design. This is not just a technical achievement, but also a practical advantage: more power at the wheels means better acceleration dynamics and throttle response. For potential Dark Horse SC owners, this is particularly good news, as they will be able to achieve a similar level of performance without spending over $300,000, making this model an extremely attractive offering in the market.