Ford Surprises the Muscle Car Faithful with Import-Style Mustang GT-R

Mustang GT-R Concept Harks Back to Ford's Legendary Trans-Am Days

Ford's Mustang has always been about performance, but if you trace the name back to its Falcon-based beginning you'll see that not all Mustangs were created equal.

Some, like the legendary Boss 428 and more modern Cobra R were granted more muscle than others. Currently a Mustang buyer can option up to a GT, Mach 1 or Cobra if more performance is wanted, or even better buck up for a Saleen or Steeda tuned version, the companies that transform mere ponies into powerhouse stallions.

So, what's next in line for the all-new 2005 Mustang? Would it surprise you to hear that a future Mustang designation could end up being GT-R? That's the nameplate Ford chose for their latest concept, a rolling parts showcase from the Ford Racing catalog. If you think you've heard the GT-R name before that's because it's synonymous with the Nissan Skyline GT-R, legendary in the import performance scene?

Old-time Mustang fans might find the GT-R's styling a bit too import-oriented, but that's OK as the blue oval brand has already shown more classic examples to woo the boomers. This one, however, is intended to attract a large percentage of the import-tuner crowd, a big-spending demographic. The GT-R does a good job of letting future Mustang owners know just how much aftermarket hardware is available right from the manufacturer.

The GT-R, on paper at least, seems to be the ultimate Mustang. The car, which is to be officially unveiled at the New York auto show this week, loses the 4.6-liter production V8 in favor of Ford's new "Cammer" high-performance 5.0-liter aluminum V8. Featuring four-valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts, this "crate engine" develops "roughly" 440 horsepower at a screaming 7,000 rpm, and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of maximum torque.