Ford achieved a 6:52.072 lap time with the 2025 Mustang GTD at the Nürburgring in April 2025, placing it among the top 10 fastest production cars at the track. The time puts the GTD 6 seconds ahead of the Ferrari 296 GTB and 3 seconds behind the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Ford credits 3D printing technology as a key factor in achieving this performance milestone.
During testing at the Nürburgring, Ford engineers used 3D printing to create aerodynamic modifications directly at the track. Chief Program Engineer Greg Goodall told The Drive that the team 3D-printed new parts to optimize the car’s performance. The most effective modification was small “hood flicks” – raised pieces around the hood vents that improved airflow management.
The hood flicks addressed a specific aerodynamic challenge for the 815-horsepower supercharged V8 Mustang. While the GTD already generated over 1,300 pounds of downforce at 155 mph, engineers wanted additional front-end downforce without compromising the car’s 202-mph top speed. The 3D-printed modifications increased downforce while maintaining the same drag coefficient.
According to Goodall, the 3D-printed aerodynamic elements were essential for breaking the seven-minute barrier at the Nürburgring, calling the achievement “very tight” without them. After testing multiple iterations, Ford finalized the design through wind tunnel testing in Detroit before incorporating it into production models. The GTD combines the new aerodynamic features with existing technologies including active drag reduction systems and carbon fiber components.
Source: autoblog.com