Ford achieved a 6:52.072 lap time with the 2025 Mustang GTD on the Nürburgring in April 2025, inserting it among the many prime 10 quickest manufacturing automobiles on the observe. The time places the GTD 6 seconds forward of the Ferrari 296 GTB and three seconds behind the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Ford credit 3D printing expertise as a key think about attaining this efficiency milestone.
Throughout testing on the Nürburgring, Ford engineers used 3D printing to create aerodynamic modifications straight on the observe. Chief Program Engineer Greg Goodall informed The Drive that the workforce 3D-printed new components to optimize the automotive’s efficiency. The simplest modification was small “hood flicks” – raised items across the hood vents that improved airflow administration.
The hood flicks addressed a selected aerodynamic problem for the 815-horsepower supercharged V8 Mustang. Whereas the GTD already generated over 1,300 kilos of downforce at 155 mph, engineers wished further front-end downforce with out compromising the automotive’s 202-mph prime velocity. The 3D-printed modifications elevated downforce whereas sustaining the identical drag coefficient.
Based on Goodall, the 3D-printed aerodynamic parts have been important for breaking the seven-minute barrier on the Nürburgring, calling the achievement “very tight” with out them. After testing a number of iterations, Ford finalized the design by means of wind tunnel testing in Detroit earlier than incorporating it into manufacturing fashions. The GTD combines the brand new aerodynamic options with present applied sciences together with energetic drag discount techniques and carbon fiber parts.
Supply: autoblog.com
