Ford Announces The Drift-Ready 2026 Mustang RTR, But Something’s Missing
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Boasting features such as a turbocharger, anti-lag, and much more, the first RTR-spec Mustang built in-house by Ford looks like the ideal factory-born car for drifting enthusiasts… At first glance.
Formula DRIFT legend Vaughn Gittin Jr. puts his name to the creation, delcaring the “factory-built Mustang RTR is the answer for younger buyers seeking a performance-focused Mustang.”
Needless to say, after his impressive FD career paired with the recent success of James Deane in Formula DRIFT (which has seen him smash several records behind the wheel of an RTR Mustang), the RTR team knows a thing or two when it comes to drifting these things.
The best part? Unlike the $339,000 price tag of the Mustang GTD, and even the recently-announced Spec 5 coming in at ‘just’ $159,999, this one’s much more affordable for the drifting target market.
Ford’s 2026 Mustang RTR is expected to arrive in Summer 2026, coming in at a fraction of the cost. Prices for the base models will start at $36,510, with the RTR Package expected to keep the tag under $50k.
It comes with plenty of drifting goodies
Alongside the Electronic Drift Brake, which makes a re-appearance, you also get an anti-lag system borrowed from the Le Mans-winning GT car, and an Active-Valve Performance Exhaust.
Behind the classy 19-inch wheels are lime green six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo brakes from the Mustang GT Performance Pack. Providing additional steering angle is the GT’s steering rack, which offers 72.5mm of lock, along with adjustable struts that allow for front camber tweaking.
That’s not all, either. The chassis is now stiffened up with Dark Horse rear subframe and anti-roll bars, keeping the rear end planted for sideways grip.
The optional MagneRide adaptive suspension gets a unique calibration optimized specifically for drifting, while Track Mode stability control is tuned to allow greater slip angles without too much drama. Here’s hoping these manage to help keep them off the sidewalks!
It sounds great, what’s the catch?
Well, in comparison to the crazy Mustangs we’ve seen being developed recently (including the 815 horsepower Mustang GTD and the even more impressive 870 horsepower RTR Spec 5), this one might seem a little underwhelming, despite its drift focus.
We mentioned that something’s missing here, and we think you might agree.
Unlike the supercharged Whipple Stage 2-blown 5.0L Coyote V8 in the Spec 5, you get a turbocharged alternative this time around.
But rather than a V8, it’s the 2.3-liter inline-4 EcoBoost engine. That’s not all – it’s also paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox… Yeah. There won’t be any clutch kicking or V8 noises just yet, unfortunately!
While that’s admittedly going to be disappointing to many drifting enthusiasts, it’s still capable of pushing out up to 350 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque with the Ford Performance upgrade, or 315 hp/350 lb-ft with the stock package.
The reason behind the decision is to make the RTR Mustang appeal to a younger fanbase. When asked about the decision, Vaughn Gittin said, “The Mustang EcoBoost is so underrated in my opinion, it is such a fun car.”
Ford also claims the 10-speed automatic meets the “vast majority of customer demand, even in this enthusiast-focused segment.” … Right.
While it might not suit everyone, we can see the appeal
While the loss of the V8 and a manual option will be dealbreakers for many, it’s great to see the Formula DRIFT vibes reaching the mainstream, and it’ll undoubtedly still appeal to plenty of potential buyers.
“When I launched RTR in 2009, my goal was to make Mustangs cool and exciting for the next generation,” proclaimed Vaughn Gittin, and it looks like he’s doing exactly that. Maybe we’re just a bit old-school to appreciate it fully?
Regardless, we’re stoked to see Ford embracing the sideways action more than ever, and the RTR team specifically spent three years developing the package. We’re also pleased they’re providing a great, (somewhat) affordable package to reach out to a younger audience who might not have the budget for a full-spec V8 GT.
On top of that, it certainly looks the part, even in stock form. With the RTR styling, functional aero, and drift-ready hardware, it could become the perfect platform for future upgrades (coilovers, anyone?), and maybe even an engine swap down the line? Hopefully Ford will take the hint!
For younger buyers wanting to get into drifting without insanely high costs or dealing with aftermarket mods, tuning, and upgrades, the 2026 Mustang RTR might just be the outta-the-showroom option they’ve been hoping for.
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Bill is a writer and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.
As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.
When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.
You can learn more about Bill’s story here or follow his socials on X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram.
