2026 Ford Mustang RTR First Look

Ford aims to boost the turbocharged Mustang's street cred with the "Ready to Rock" special edition.

Jeff Youngs | 

Oct 17, 2025 | 3 min read

Ford

With the debut of the 2026 Mustang RTR, Ford enhances the turbocharged version of its pony car by installing upgraded performance, suspension, and engine-cooling parts borrowed from the Mustang GT and Dark Horse. Distinctive design details ensure the new Mustang RTR stands apart from the other Mustang EcoBoost models.

Ford

Boosted 2026 Ford Mustang Is Ready to Rock

To create the latest special-edition Mustang, Ford teamed up with RTR Vehicles, whose founder, Vaughn Gittin Jr., is a championship-winning driver on the Formula Drift racing circuit. According to Ford, this is only the second time in the storied muscle car's 60-plus-year history that the automaker has partnered with a third party to produce a high-performance Mustang directly from the factory.

The new RTR, which stands for "ready to rock," is an option package exclusively available for Mustang Fastbacks, which have a coupe body style. Add it to the base car, and the RTR treatment also requires the High package. Or you can add it to a Mustang EcoBoost Premium model. Ford says the Mustang RTR will be available in the summer of 2026.

Ford

Anti-Lag Tech in 2026 Mustang Helps Turbocharger Performance

Instead of increasing displacement or adding a second turbocharger to boost the car's performance, Ford and RTR focused on optimizing the existing 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine's 350 pound-feet of torque, along with improvements to cooling and suspension.

To enhance throttle response, the Mustang RTR features turbocharger anti-lag technology developed in the Ford GT race car. According to Ford, the system keeps the Mustang's twin-scroll turbocharger spooled and ready to deliver optimal boost during spirited driving. An active-valve performance exhaust with four driver-selectable modes improves engine breathing.

Beyond the turbocharger modifications, the RTR upgrades include front and rear sway bars and a rear subframe from the Mustang Dark Horse, a custom tune for the stability-control system when the driver chooses Track mode, and Brembo brakes from the Mustang GT Performance Pack. To enhance drifting capabilities, Ford also equips the Mustang RTR with an electronic drift brake, and the available MagneRide adaptive dampers are specially tuned for tail-out maneuvers.

Standard 19-inch wheels with a Tarnished Dark finish feature a 30-millimeter offset and cover the black Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers.

Ford

Optional Hyper Lime Accents Brighten 2026 Ford Mustang RTR

While the Mustang RTR's mechanical upgrades might not offer much in terms of visual excitement, the car's appearance definitely does.

The RTR features a distinctive grille, Mustang GT front fascia, lit nostrils, and a Tarnished Dark Anodized rear spoiler borrowed from the Mustang GT Performance Pack. Mustang RTR-specific badging and Tarnished Dark Anodized accents also embellish the grille, hood, pony emblem, mirror caps, fenders, rockers, rear quarter panels, and decklid.

Choose the available Hyper Lime Exterior package to add bright-green brake calipers and Hyper Lime graphic accents. There's more Hyper Lime inside, and it comes standard. Ford uses it on the seats, dashboard stitching, center console, door pockets, and drift-brake lever. However, if you don't want to go all in on the Hyper Lime treatment, you can choose standard stitching for the upholstery and drift-brake lever.

For turbocharged performance fans who value handling more than quarter-mile acceleration, the new Mustang RTR allows you to unleash your inner drifter while adding some extra style.

Jeff Youngs

Jeff has had a lifelong love affair with cars and driving. From his early days collecting Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars to the present day as an automotive journalist, he loves all things automotive. He also has more than 30 years of experience in the auto industry, including 19 years with J.D. Power in marketing and editorial management roles, five years with General Motors as a media-relations pro, and six years as a freelance automotive journalist. A muscle car, sport sedan, and convertible enthusiast, Jeff owns Blue Line Auto Media. His client list includes Capital One Auto Navigator, J.D. Power, CarGurus, Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, iSeeCars, and Autolist. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and kids.