Ford and Vaughn Gittin Jr. unveil 2026 Mustang RTR with drifting capabilities
Ford and Vaughn Gittin Jr. have unveiled the 2026 Mustang RTR with Hyperlime accents and drift-ready features.
USA TODAY car
- Coming in summer 2026, the Mustang RTR was developed with drifting star Vaughn Gittin Jr.
- The RTR is intended to be an affordable addition to Mustang’s growing lineup of performance models.
Ford Motor Co. and drifting champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. have teamed up to develop the 2026 Mustang RTR, a 315-horsepower coupe that leverages new hardware and programming to help beginners drift curves like the pros.
Arriving in summer 2026, the Mustang RTR is the result of three years of work by Ford engineers and Gittin’s RTR fleet to change the vehicle’s performance and appearance.
new performance gear
Feature upgrades include:
- Brembo four-wheel brake piston
- Stability control calibration suitable for drifting
- modified steering
- Active valve exhaust with 4 settings
- Suspension components borrowed from the $59,395 Mustang Dark Horse.
- Handbrake for slide turns
- “Anti-lag” turbocharger based on the Mustang that Ford ran in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans
- 600 watt cooling fan
- new front air intake
An optional dealer-installed performance kit increases the turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine’s output from 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque to 350 horsepower and 400 pound-feet.
wide stance etc.
Ford will announce pricing closer to launch, but the RTR is intended to be an affordable addition to Mustang’s growing lineup of high-performance models.
From the wheels pushed 1.2 inches further from the body for an aggressive, solid stance to the three-dimensional LED-illuminated “nostrils” for the new cooling intake in the grille, the Mustang RTR has a lot to offer visually.
Other touches include:
- Hyperlime green seatbelts and accent stitching
- Hyperlime drift brake in center console
- Hyperlime Brembo brake calipers available
- unique 19 inch wheels
- “Pony” puddle lamp reflected from the side mirror
- illuminated sill plate
- Aluminum pedals available
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark ferran. read more car and sign up for our service automotive newsletter. become a subscriber.
