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An Australian has taken delivery of a Ford Mustang GTD and will import the limited edition supercar into the country, but it may not be registered for the road.
The first example of the supercharged V8-powered Ford Mustang GTD supercar destined for Australia has been collected in the US ahead of its import later this year – but it may never hit local roads.
The blue Mustang GTD has been purchased by the founder of Australian specialist shop Mustang Motorsport and left- to right-hand-drive conversion firm Crossover Car Conversions, Craig Dean.
It has been granted entry into Australia through the government's Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles register, which allows vehicles newer than the usual 25-year-old requirement to enter the country on the basis of rarity, differences, environmental status, and/or performance.
Mustang Motorsport confirmed to Drive the GTD is eligible due to its rarity, and major differences compared to the regular Australian-delivered Ford Mustang, including the 5.2-litre supercharged engine, dual-clutch gearbox, bespoke bodywork and F1-style suspension.
The Mustang GTD is only produced in left-hand drive, and the tuning firm says it is yet to decide if the vehicle will be switched to right-hand drive.
In most cases, despite Australia allowing the importation of left-hand drive vehicles, new cars must be right-hand drive to be registered for local roads.
The GTD would immediately be subject to the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) as soon as it is registered, due to its estimated purchase price that exceeds USD$325,000 before extras, or about AUD$450,000.
Dean travelled to the US to take delivery of the Mustang GTD, after making it through a selection process that included a detailed application and personal interview, sharing details of the buyer's enthusiasm for the brand and what they aim to do with the car.
The Australia-bound GTD is specified in Lightning Blue exterior paint, with the exposed carbon-fibre package, as well as the performance package featuring adjustable and active front and rear wing elements.
A supercharged 5.2-litre V8 petrol engine powers the Mustang GTD, producing 607kW, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle to help the muscle car achieve a near-50:50 weight distribution.
Pushrod rear suspension is similar to the layout used by F1 cars, while carbon-ceramic brakes are fitted.
This Mustang GTD is set to be the first and only, at least for a while, in Australia, as Ford is not committed to selling it in right-hand-drive markets.
