Every time the SEMA Auto Show hits Las Vegas each November, the entire auto industry stands up and takes notice. It may not be the biggest auto show in the world or it may not provide any indication on which car is going to be launched at which date, but it is automotive heaven for the aftermarket community. A big part of that is because automakers have become increasingly active in SEMA. So here we are, SEMA is right around the corner and Ford’s got an army of Mustangs ready to steal the show. One of them is the Mustang GT Concept, a military-themed, track attack rocket of epic proportions that drops 851 horsepower and 703 pound-feet of torque at a drop of a hat. Intrigued yet?
To be fair, the Mustang GT Concept is more than just the insane power levels courtesy of VMP Performance. There are plenty of exterior and interior changes to the Mustang too, most of which lend themselves to abiding by the overall patriotic theme of the project. The program also offers a new set of wheels and suspension improvements to accommodate the massive uptick in power and performance.
In other words, this is the kind of program that’s meant for the Ford Mustang GT. Who knows, VMP Performance might end up making them in the future. But as we’ve all learned from SEMA, looking too far ahead can be a tricky exercise. Fortunately, we can live in the moment and bask in the atmosphere of SEMA. It only happens once a year and we only get to be treated with insane programs like this when the show rolls around.
Continue after the jump to read more about the Ford Mustang GT Concept.
2017 Ford Mustang GT Concept
- Make: Array
- Model: 2017 Ford Mustang GT Concept
- Horsepower: 851
- Torque: 703
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior
In keeping with its military theme, the Ford Mustang GT Concept received an Avalanche custom paint finish with numerous decals and liveries, all of the military variety, spread throughout the body. On the function side, the muscle car also received a custom hood with active air extractors and a Plexiglass sight window where you can peek into and see the heavily tuned 5.0-liter V-8 engine.
The ‘Stang’s standard grille has also been deleted in favor of a more spartan look that’s also more functional. The fascia also received a new tow hook and a front splitter for aerodynamic purposes while over at the side, side rockers and side exhaust ports just in front of the rear wheels give the Mustang GT a concept a dramatically more aggressive side profile. A new rear wing dominates the rear section of the muscle car and as an extra bonus, VMP Performance also installed a rear-facing outboard mirror and camera system to the back of the ‘Stang.
Finishing off the exterior upgrades is a new set of 19-inch Forgestar F10D matte black wheels from where the Mustang GT Concept will sit on. These wheels are wrapped in Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires measuring 305/30/19 and 315/30/19 in the front and rear respectively.
Interior
Note: standard Ford Mustang pictured here.
Since this is SEMA we’re talking about, custom programs like the Mustang GT Concept usually cover plenty of bases from a number of different aftermarket specialists. That’s the case with the muscle car’s interior as it received a bevy of modifications to suit its track attack purpose. The standard front seats have been replaced with Recaro race seats, each coming with custom inserts and embroidery. A five-point safety harness system serves as a safety complement to the seats, as is the new R-1180 harness bar from Brey-Krause. The standard steering wheel was also lifted in favor of the GT350R steering wheel while stock pedals have equally been given the boot to accommodate the new pedals from Roush Performance. The entire rear section of the cabin has also been altered, thanks in large part to a rear seat delete kit from Shrader Performance. Capping things are of the tech upgrades, one of which is the same integrated rear-facing camera whose receiving end has been integrated into Ford’s SYNC3 screen. The other tech upgrade are dual digital scan gauges from Aeroforce Technology.
Drivetrain
The headline numbers are 851 horsepower and 703 pound-feet of torque. They’re staggering if you think about it, especially since the standard Mustang GT from which it’s based on “only” packs 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.
VMP achieved the incredible gains by putting together a systematic engine upgrade that revolves around its own Gen II-R 2.3-liter supercharger kit, which includes a dual-fan heat exchanger and plug-and-play fuel pump boosters. Complementing the module are a host of other extra parts, specifically a 2.64-inch throttle body with custom calibration, long tube heads from Dynatech, coil covers from Ford Performance, a 9000 series twin-clutch from Mantic, and Cervini’s side exit exhausts that you can see peaking from just in front of the rear wheels. Put all of them together and you get a track-ready muscle car that can spit out 851 horses and 703 pound-feet without sweating. Those are definitely numbers worthy of SEMA.
Conclusion
We obviously have to recalibrate our expectations for these SEMA-bound vehicles, because a majority of them will probably not see the light of day past their moment in the spotlight in Las Vegas. That said, this is a Mustang tuning kit that I’m pretty sure will be a hit among ‘Stang enthusiasts. The upgrades cut right through the core of the muscle car’s performance character and the subtlety by which the aesthetics and aerodynamic upgrades were handled makes it so that the final product doesn’t look too cartoonish. It’s a great kit for a great car.