in ,

S650 TEASER? FORD PERFORMANCE ANNOUNCES NEW MUSTANG GT3 RACE CAR

The New Mustang GT3 Will Enter IMSA Racing In 2024

S550 S650 Ford Mustang GT3 Multimatic Motorsports IMSA Racing Daytona 24 S550 GT4
Image via Ford Performance

The Corvette Racing team might have some hurt feelings if they start losing to Ford Mustangs. Announced this week during the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsports will enter a new Mustang GT3 race car that will compete in the GTD Pro class of IMSA competition, starting with the 2024 racing season. By then, the S650 Ford Mustang will be on the market, so it only makes sense that this was Ford’s first official teaser of the upcoming muscle car.

The factory-backed team will feature to two cars, and will be managed by Multimatic Motorsports. Additionally, Ford and Multimatic will be offering privateer GTD Class Mustang GT3 race cars for customers.

S650 Ford Mustang Sculpture Design Preview

S650 Ford Mustang GT3 Race Car: Details

Powering the Ford Mustang GT3 race car will be a 5.0L Coyote-based V8 engine developed by Ford Performance, and built by long-time racing collaborator and world championship winning team, M-Sport of Cumbria, England. Ford and M-Sport currently enjoy a fruitful rally racing partnership, with the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1, which finished 1-3-5 in its debut race at the Monte Carlo Rally this past weekend.

Naturally, the Coyote-based V8 in the S650 Mustang GT3 race car will have some have performance and packaging modifications, where the car will move the gearbox to the back of the car, likely to push the 5.0L V8 closer to the center of the car. This would make it more of a “mid-engine” orientation, with better balance and weight distribution compared to otherwise leaving the gearbox up front. It’s too early to tell if this modification will make it to the production 2023 Ford Mustang GT. The race car will also feature bespoke Short-Long Arm suspension front and rear, rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, carbon fiber body panels, as well as a unique aero package developed to meet GT3 targets.

Joey Hand, one of the winning drivers in the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours GTE Pro class in the Ford GT, is going to be one of the test drivers for the new program, as well as continuing on in his role as a development driver and coach for Ford Performance.

Ford Mustang GT4 Race Car Also Confirmed

Ford Performance and Multimatic Motorsports have also confirmed that the Mustang GT4 customer race program will continue into the future, with a new Mustang GT4 expected to debut in the 2023 season. Again, it’s extremely likely that this new race car is based on the new S650 Mustang.

In other Ford Racing news, the Next Gen Mustang NASCAR Cup Series racecar will debut in the NASCAR Cup series on February 6 at the LA Coliseum, and then at the Daytona 500 two weeks later. Ford Performance is also developing its new Gen 3 Mustang for Australia’s Supercars Series that will debut at the start of 2023.

Multimatic is about to get very busy.

S550 S650 Ford Mustang Performance Multimatic GT3 GT4 2023 2024 Muscle Car IMSA GTD Pro Le Mans WEC FIA ACO
Image via Ford Performance

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4XE PRICE: HYBRID SUV STARTS AT $57,700 USD

40 Mil Ford F-150

FORD IS CELEBRATING PRODUCTION OF ITS 40 MILLIONTH F-SERIES FOR THE U.S.