After the debut of the super-pricey Ford Mustang GTD, the long-standing pony car is getting a performance boost at the other end of the lineup. 2025 will see the introduction of a new Ford performance package, in partnership with RTR, for the EcoBoost-powered Mustang lineup. The package promises to bring key upgrades for “first-time track enthusiasts” to the four-cylinder sports car, and will even feature parts lifted from the V8-powered Dark Horse.
The Mustang RTR Will Give The EcoBoost A Boost
Ford debuted the new options package at the Detroit Auto Show alongside the GTD’s special Spirit of America trim. Ford says that its partnership with Formula Drift star Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s RTR brand marks only the second time the company has co-developed a Mustang with an outside partner. But Ford is tight-lipped about this car’s relationship to the lofty Dark Horse model for the current-generation Mustang: “This Mustang RTR is pure accessible fun, with many enhancements, including Mustang Dark Horse components, Mustang EcoBoost’s near-perfect weight distribution, and RTR’s signature styling.”
In short, it sounds like the RTR will be a sort of do-everything enhancement for the base Mustang, according to Gittin Jr.: “It’s ready for drifting, drag racing, back-road cruising, or ripping around an autocross track.”
What’s Different About The Mustang RTR?
Ford did the ol’ announce-now-specify-later with this one, and as such, specifics on just how the RTR will be ready for all that super cool driving stuff are pretty light. Some stuff can’t be hidden, like the neon green Brembos and larger 19-inch wheels (with presumably stickier tires) as well as a spoiler. There’s a slightly different center grille visible as well, which looks to illuminate alongside the car’s DRLs.
Speculatively, the formula here should be similar to the ethos many entry-level performance trims share: increased grip, ride control, and some neat visuals. It’s possible Ford ups the EcoBoost’s output from the current 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque as well, but nothing is confirmed just yet.
TopSpeed’s Take
What should Ford do with the RTR? There’s no more manual for the
, but the motor isn’t fundamentally different from the old one, and it’s possible Ford could (and should) bring back the six-speed for the EcoBoost RTR. We’d love to see the return of the stick, and given the big talk about performance upgrades for enthusiasts, it seems fitting.
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