870hp RTR Ford Mustang costs from £160k in UK
From bodykits to superchargers, Vaughn Gittin Jr's Mustang mods are now here for UK cars...
‘Available to all, not for everyone.’ That’s the RTR motto, ever since Vaughn Gittin Jr (superstar drifter, in case you didn’t know) revealed the company’s first modified Mustang in 2009. The honesty is refreshing; clearly this sort of thing won’t suit all tastes, but there’s enough enthusiasm for RTR from those that are keen for it to have gained quite the following. Since ‘09 they’ve built drift cars, drag cars, off road cars and formed an official collaboration with Ford; you might have seen his name pop up in various Mustang drift videos over the years on PH. Niche interest, perhaps, but now the RTR name has additional validity in the UK with its latest raft of S650 Mustang upgrades available here. They even do Mach E bits…
The sole RTR retailer in the UK is Motorsport and Performance up in West Yorkshire, but they offer everything from cosmetic trinkets all the way to 870hp widebody conversions. The red car pictured here is what an RTR Spec 2 build looks like, said to boast ‘aggressive style and aerodynamics’. To that end, almost every body panel is changed, from grilles to vents to splitters, with undertray extensions and a snazzy carbon ducktail as well.
The anti-roll bars and dampers are adjustable, with lowering springs for maximum Mustang attitude. On top of that, the kit includes RTR wheels, badges and graphics, plus the RTR trademark lights. Rest assured its identity will be in no doubt, from key fob to wheel nuts, with a three-year warranty on everything and an RTR Certificate of Authenticity.
A Spec 2 Mustang will cost £16,995, then it’s onwards and upwards from there. Spec 3 takes a lot of the Spec 2 body bits, albeit with a staggered wheel setup, then adds the extra appeal of a 3.0-litre Whipple supercharger on top. Like the Sutton Mustangs, expect around 800hp from a Spec 3 RTR build, manual or auto, coupe or convertible. Which would certainly liven up a regular GT somewhat.
Then it gets really serious. The Spec 5 is ‘the ultimate expression of what RTR stands for’, taking in everything that’s been learnt about modifying Mustangs since 2009: ‘Every curve, every component, and every ounce of power is built to embody what it means to be Ready to Rock™’. So it looks completely outrageous, boasts almost 900hp, and costs £160,000.
The RTR Widebody system is the most obvious thing that marks a Spec 5 out, the extra width not just bolted on like a drift car with exposed rivets but then with the composite components to ensure it never goes unnoticed. There’s function to the form, too, RTR suggesting that the widebody is about ‘attitude, engineering, and functionality coming together in a way only we can deliver.’ There’s even a bespoke fuel filler to sit on the ludicrously pumped arches that functions just like any other Mustang petrol flap.
This being a supercharged V8, any RTR customers will get very familiar with filling up. But apparently this is ‘not just another supercharged Mustang’, the Spec 5 boasting a motorsport-spec intercooler and Borla exhaust (with the noise signed off by Vaughn himself) for 870hp and 660lb ft. Certainly it sounds pretty intense, complete RTR’s own coilovers, upgraded two-piece front discs and forged wheels also part of the Spec 5 part of the package. When harnesses are on the options list, clearly it’s a pretty serious build - see here for the full details on what makes an RTR flagship.
Exciting times for Mustang enthusiasts, then, with an outfit as well-known as RTR offering its wares here. While some of the new parts are exclusive to the latest S650 generation, there are parts like the springs, dampers and anti-roll bars offered for the old S550 ‘Stang as well. And they’re £25k now. Those wanting to start with the latest generation to build something to RTR spec will need twice that. An awesome fast Ford experience surely awaits those committed enough.
Their strong point is great performance with low running costs, simple tech and solid reliability.
Their chassis are designed for and perfect with the basic v8 motor, and there is a reasonable balance of power and traction.
Bang for the buck, fun for the masses and all that.
To me this is pointless overkill. If you actually want to be able to use 870hp then put it in an RS6, GTR etc.
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