Video game-style telemetry showed how Ford saved 5.5 seconds at the Nürburgring

Fans of racing video games are familiar with the concept of a ghost lap. - where your best attempt is saved as a semi-transparent opponent to chase in the next race. This method instantly shows where you've improved or lost time. Ford has used this approach to demonstrate how the new Mustang GTD has become faster at the legendary Nürburgring.

Here's What We Know

After the Ford Mustang GTD ran the Northern Loop faster than seven minutes, Ford decided that the coupe's potential was not yet exhausted. With the same driver, professional racing driver Dirk Müller, the car did another lap - and improved the result by 5.5 seconds. The new lap (6:52.072) was overlaid on the video of the previous attempt (6:57.68) to show exactly where the Mustang was able to cut the desired seconds.

As a result, the GTD has moved up the list of fastest production cars at the Nürburgring, closing in on the Lamborghini Huracán Performante LP640-4 and overtaking the Porsche 918 Spyder. That said, the Ford remains rear-wheel drive, while both competitors are all-wheel drive.

Ford didn't reveal all the refinements, but did reveal updates to the transmission calibration, aerodynamics, and brake and traction control software. The video clearly shows how the old version wins fractions of a second in some sections, but overall the new version is faster over the entire 21 kilometre distance.

Interestingly, at the price of $325,000 Mustang GTD is not the fastest in its class: for example, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS did the lap in 6:49.328. Technically it's cheaper (from $241,300), but it's almost impossible to find such a Porsche without a huge markup.

Source: Jalopnik