Mustang GTD and ZL1/1LE Comparison

Sweet Emotion · 08-20-2025, 09:54 AM

Now that GTD videos/contents are out, what are everyone's thoughts about it vs the ZL1/1LE?

Despite the extensive effort by Ford - it is still 650lbs or so heavier than the ZL1/1LE.

Not to mention the price tag being north of $350,000.

MT-SS1LE · 08-20-2025, 10:05 AM

Imho, $350K for a Mustang is an effing joke. If I had that kind of money to spend, a Mustang would not even be on the list, not remotely. It's also hideous, especially that interior with the giant screens. I've said that about the current Mustang since it came out. Then again, I also think the new ZR1 is over-priced for what it is.

*radz28* · 08-20-2025, 12:23 PM

Effort by Ford? Doesn't Multimatic make it?... Maybe that changed, but IMO - if they DO make it, it's not a Ford product, and isn't comparable.

JMHO. It's bad @$$, but not a production car.

DaveC113 · 08-20-2025, 12:44 PM

The suspension is really cool, might be $100k or so just in sus. I dislike the rest of the car, and can't get over the weight.

RobZL1 · 08-20-2025, 01:02 PM

If you HAD to have a Mustang, and had that much to spend I'd buy this one for cheaper. I think it looks better, too.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/2026-s...-for-100k-less

m6-lt1 · 08-20-2025, 01:43 PM

It’s a unique Mustang in that it’s the only Mustang to have a transaxle. That alone got my attention. Unlike the Camaro, the Mustang gets Fords best effort. Chevys best effort always goes to the Corvette. Top 5th gen Mustang made 150+ more HP than the top 5th gen Camaro. Top 6th gen Mustang made 150+ more HP than the top 6th gen Camaro. Both time periods Chevy had a motor that matched the Fords top motor output but neglected to put it into the Camaro both times.

While the GTD is expensive, every single one of them is sold out so people obviously do not care about its price. IMHO the biggest problem the GTD has is the ZR1 exists for roughly 100k less and MORE performance.

I will probably never be able to afford either car so I will just be working hard and striving towards my goal of getting a C8 Z06.

RobZL1 · 08-20-2025, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

It’s a unique Mustang in that it’s the only Mustang to have a transaxle. That alone got my attention. Unlike the Camaro, the Mustang gets Fords best effort. Chevys best effort always goes to the Corvette. Top 5th gen Mustang made 150+ more HP than the top 5th gen Camaro. Top 6th gen Mustang made 150+ more HP than the top 6th gen Camaro. Both time periods Chevy had a motor that matched the Fords top motor output but neglected to put it into the Camaro both times.

Which Mustangs that had 150+ hp?

Between 2010 and 2015, the highest hp Mustang was the GT500 at 662hp. At the same time, the ZL1 made 580hp. Yes it's higher, but only by 82 hp, not 150+.

Same goes for 2016-2024. The 2020+ GT500 made 760 hp. That's 110 more than the ZL1, not 150+.

Which Mustangs are you talking about?

I agree the LS9 and the LT5 would have been neat in the Camaro, though!

*mlee* · 08-20-2025, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZL1

Which Mustangs that had 150+ hp?

Between 2010 and 2015, the highest hp Mustang was the GT500 at 662hp. At the same time, the ZL1 made 580hp. Yes it's higher, but only by 82 hp, not 150+.

Same goes for 2016-2024. The 2020+ GT500 made 760 hp. That's 110 more than the ZL1, not 150+.

Which Mustangs are you talking about?

I agree the LS9 and the LT5 would have been neat in the Camaro, though!

...and the Camaro suspension was far superior

m6-lt1 · 08-20-2025, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZL1

Which Mustangs that had 150+ hp?

Between 2010 and 2015, the highest hp Mustang was the GT500 at 662hp. At the same time, the ZL1 made 580hp. Yes it's higher, but only by 82 hp, not 150+.

Same goes for 2016-2024. The 2020+ GT500 made 760 hp. That's 110 more than the ZL1, not 150+.

Which Mustangs are you talking about?

I agree the LS9 and the LT5 would have been neat in the Camaro, though!

lol my math was way off. Sorry a bit out of it today and I’ll admit I thought the 5th gen was 550 HP. Somehow I added 50 HP to the Ford engines

Martinjlm · 08-20-2025, 05:24 PM

Are people aware that the GTD is about as much Mustang as is the Mustang Mach E?

Remember the Ford GT? Designed by Ford and built by Multimatic in Canada?

What if they improved on the Ford GT chassis, made it front mid-engine instead of rear mid-engine and engineered a transaxle?

Now, what if they put a custom Mustang wide-body upper on it instead of the GT upper? And built it at Multimatic, just like the Ford GT?

That, my friends, is the GTD.

ariZona28 · 08-20-2025, 07:22 PM

Mustang GTD 8-speed stab and steer automatic. Camaro ZLE 6-speed MANual. Nuff said.

m6-lt1 · 08-20-2025, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Are people aware that the GTD is about as much Mustang as is the Mustang Mach E?

Remember the Ford GT? Designed by Ford and built by Multimatic in Canada?

What if they improved on the Ford GT chassis, made it front mid-engine instead of rear mid-engine and engineered a transaxle?

Now, what if they put a custom Mustang wide-body upper on it instead of the GT upper? And built it at Multimatic, just like the Ford GT?

That, my friends, is the GTD.

If it were built on the GT chassis, it would weigh less. Not saying it would weigh the same as the GT but the last GT weighs 1000 lbs less than the GTD.

I do agree that it’s barely related to the Mustang outside the engine. While the chassis is technically a modified s650, it’s gotta be heavily modified to fit the transaxle.

Martinjlm · 08-20-2025, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

If it were built on the GT chassis, it would weigh less. Not saying it would weigh the same as the GT but the last GT weighs 1000 lbs less than the GTD.

I do agree that it’s barely related to the Mustang outside the engine. While the chassis is technically a modified s650, it’s gotta be heavily modified to fit the transaxle.

Guess I learned something new today. I was told that it was modified GT but you may very well be right. My source is not "hands on".

Z OH 6 · 08-20-2025, 09:10 PM

Really no logical comparison at all. The Mustang GTD is a very low volume vehicle produced by a manufacturer that builds race cars, not by Ford, priced 5x more than a ZL1 1LE, and was driven by a professional driver on the Ring. This comparison couldn't be any more apples and oranges. I am quite certain though that a ZL1 1LE with some mods and driven by a professional driver could easily match the GTD for well under 1/3 the cost.

08-20-2025, 09:54 AM	#1
Sweet Emotion Drives: 2018 ZL1 / 1LE Join Date: Nov 2024 Location: Maryland Posts: 21	Mustang GTD and ZL1/1LE Comparison Now that GTD videos/contents are out, what are everyone's thoughts about it vs the ZL1/1LE? Despite the extensive effort by Ford - it is still 650lbs or so heavier than the ZL1/1LE. Not to mention the price tag being north of $350,000.

08-20-2025, 10:05 AM	#2
MT-SS1LE Drives: 2023 SS 1LE Sharkskin Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: Montana Posts: 384	Imho, $350K for a Mustang is an effing joke. If I had that kind of money to spend, a Mustang would not even be on the list, not remotely. It's also hideous, especially that interior with the giant screens. I've said that about the current Mustang since it came out. Then again, I also think the new ZR1 is over-priced for what it is. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

08-20-2025, 12:23 PM	#3
radz28 Petro-sexual Drives: Ultra-Grin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crazy Coast Posts: 15,789 View My Garage	Effort by Ford? Doesn't Multimatic make it?... Maybe that changed, but IMO - if they DO make it, it's not a Ford product, and isn't comparable. JMHO. It's bad @$$, but not a production car. __________________ '20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs

08-20-2025, 12:44 PM	#4
DaveC113 Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Front Range, CO Posts: 2,204	The suspension is really cool, might be $100k or so just in sus. I dislike the rest of the car, and can't get over the weight. __________________

08-20-2025, 01:02 PM	#5
RobZL1 fo'shizZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ATL Posts: 1,803	If you HAD to have a Mustang, and had that much to spend I'd buy this one for cheaper. I think it looks better, too. https://www.thedrive.com/news/2026-s...-for-100k-less __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Black \| Maggie 2650 // 103TB // Big Gulp // CSP LT's & Ultra Cats // BMR MM // BC Forged KL13 Mods being installed- oil pump, cam, ported heads, dual in-tank, Goliath and XDI, corn, etc., etc.

08-20-2025, 01:43 PM	#6
m6-lt1 Drives: 2023 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,595	It’s a unique Mustang in that it’s the only Mustang to have a transaxle. That alone got my attention. Unlike the Camaro, the Mustang gets Fords best effort. Chevys best effort always goes to the Corvette. Top 5th gen Mustang made 150+ more HP than the top 5th gen Camaro. Top 6th gen Mustang made 150+ more HP than the top 6th gen Camaro. Both time periods Chevy had a motor that matched the Fords top motor output but neglected to put it into the Camaro both times. While the GTD is expensive, every single one of them is sold out so people obviously do not care about its price. IMHO the biggest problem the GTD has is the ZR1 exists for roughly 100k less and MORE performance. I will probably never be able to afford either car so I will just be working hard and striving towards my goal of getting a C8 Z06. __________________ Current: 2023 2SS 1LE Prior: 2016 Camaro 1SS 2007 Mustang GT 2008 Civic Si

08-20-2025, 05:24 PM	#10
Martinjlm Retired fr GM + SP Global Drives: 2017 Camaro Fifty SS Convertible Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Detroit Posts: 5,945	Are people aware that the GTD is about as much Mustang as is the Mustang Mach E? Remember the Ford GT? Designed by Ford and built by Multimatic in Canada? What if they improved on the Ford GT chassis, made it front mid-engine instead of rear mid-engine and engineered a transaxle? Now, what if they put a custom Mustang wide-body upper on it instead of the GT upper? And built it at Multimatic, just like the Ford GT? That, my friends, is the GTD. __________________ 2017 CAMARO FIFTY SS CONVERTIBLE A8 \| MRC \| NPP \| Nav \| HUD \| GM Performance CAI \| Tony Mamo LT1 V2 Ported TB \| Kooks 1-7/8” LT Headers \| FlexFuel Tune \| Thinkware Q800 Pro front and rear dash cam \| Charcoal Tint for Taillights and 3rd Brakelight \| Orange and Carbon Fiber Bowties \| 1LE Wheels in Gunmetal Gray \| Carbon Fiber Interior Overlays \| Novistretch bra and mirror covers \| Tow hitch for bicycle rack \|

08-20-2025, 07:22 PM	#11
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,789	Mustang GTD 8-speed stab and steer automatic. Camaro ZLE 6-speed MANual. Nuff said. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

08-20-2025, 09:10 PM	#14
Z OH 6 Drives: 2021 Red Hot ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: GA Posts: 3,488	Really no logical comparison at all. The Mustang GTD is a very low volume vehicle produced by a manufacturer that builds race cars, not by Ford, priced 5x more than a ZL1 1LE, and was driven by a professional driver on the Ring. This comparison couldn't be any more apples and oranges. I am quite certain though that a ZL1 1LE with some mods and driven by a professional driver could easily match the GTD for well under 1/3 the cost.

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