Mustang GTD: A State-of-the-Art Suspension You Can SEE From the Inside!
The Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve shock absorbers are the star of the show on the new, limited-production Mustang GTD.
If you like Mustangs, there’s a pretty good chance you’re a bit off a showoff. Ford understands, and that’s why the new Mustang GTD will feature a window to show off its race-inspired suspension goodies.
Race cars don’t need backseats, but Ford didn’t stop with a rear seat delete. They also cut a hole for a small composite window that shows off the advanced Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve rear shock absorbers. Obviously, it’s visible from the interior, but it’s also visible from outside the car by looking through the rear window. If you’re one of the lucky few who has your name on the list, you might want to rethink the window tint.
The Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers are found at all four corners. They’re semi-active, going from their softest to their firmest setting in just 15 milliseconds. These special dampers can change their stiffness depending on road conditions, and can also be adjusted by the selected settings inside the car.
High Tech, Low Lap Times
Unlike most road cars, the Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers are pushrod-actuated, laying down on their side instead of straight up and down. It’s a suspension setup seen on elite level race cars, but not typically employed in roadgoing applications.
However, engineers were careful to make sure that the Mustang GTD was tractable in daily use. Each shock has two springs that work in concert to provide a comfortable, stable ride. When the driver selects Track mode, one of the springs compresses, lowering the car a little over an inch and a half.
It’s impressive to see race-bred technology make its way to the street. The Mustang GTD is the perfect showpiece for these new features. The Multimatic Adaptive Spool Valve dampers are an ideal blend of mechanical know-how and technological innovation. Wouldn’t you want to show them off, too? We think the window makes a lot of sense.
Speaking of showing off, that’s just what Ford plans to do with the Mustang GTD. It will make appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Spa, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. After that, Ford will attempt a timed lap of the Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany. They’re aiming for a lap time below seven minutes, and they’re pretty confident they will get there. One thing’s for sure – they’ll look good doing it.
Photos: Ford Motor Company
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