For well over a decade, RTR or Ready to Rock, founded by two-time drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr., has built a reputation for turning Ford’s pony car into something sharper, more aggressive, and more track-capable. The current Ford Mustang doesn’t lack presence, but RTR’s latest package takes it into new territory, with a host of both visual and performance upgrades. Meet the 2026 Mustang RTR Spec 5 and priced at $159,999, only 50 units will be built per year, which means exclusivity is part of the pitch.
RTR starts out with a brand-new S650-generation Mustang GT (donor car included in the package), complete with the Performance Package and Recaro seats. From there, the changes are pretty extensive, as they include a Whipple 3.0-liter Stage 2 supercharger with an intercooler, which boosts the Coyote 5.0-liter V8’s output from 480 horsepower to a staggering 870 horsepower and 660 pound-feet of torque.
For some context, that’s more powerful than Ford’s own flagship record-setting 815-horsepower Mustang GTD. RTR insists this car “is built to OEM+ standards that meet or exceed Ford’s own benchmarks.” The exhaust deserves its own spotlight because RTR teamed with Borla to develop a cat-back system specifically tuned for the Spec 5.
Now, power is only half the equation, because RTR also equips the S650 with what it calls a “Tactical Performance Suspension System,” which includes 30-way adjustable coilovers, model-specific springs, and sway bars designed to balance track precision with street comfort. The setup was validated through CFD and track testing with drivers like Billy Johnson.
Throw in 20-inch forged RTR Aero 5 Evo wheels (available in Forged Charcoal, Podium Champagne, or Vapor Silver) wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (305mm front, 315mm rear), and you’ve got a Mustang with far more grip than the base car. Even the underbody has been smoothed and reworked to create both suction and downforce. Brakes have also been upgraded with two-piece Brembo front rotors, which, considering the horsepower jump, should make a difference.
The styling is equally aggressive. A design effort led by Lindsay Ross, RTR, calls this its first full widebody system, which uses carbon fiber and composite panels. The distinctive front and rear fenders don’t just add visual punch and that wide body stance, but are also functional as they integrate cooling vents. Details like the pronounced carbon front splitter and ducktail spoiler are a direct nod to RTR’s Formula Drift lineage.
Paint choices range from nine standard and nine premium colors (+$7,500) to paint-to-sample options (+$15,000), and each car carries a graphics package inspired by drift racing. Inside, RTR touches include leather-trimmed Recaros in gray and black, a serialized plaque on the dash engraved with Gittin’s signature, and an RTR shift knob. You can also add a $1,199 racing harness if track days are part of your plan. The Mustang’s Drift Brake, co-developed with Vaughn and Ford, comes standard.
At $160,000, you’re nearly in Porsche 911 Targa territory but just over half as much as a $300,000 Mustang GTD. But you’re also getting one of the most powerful Mustangs ever made, not to mention one that still carries a warranty. If you’re someone who wants a Mustang that feels truly special, but also seeks a muscle car that bridges the gap between the Blue Oval’s factory specials and a full-blown drift car, then the RTR Spec 5 makes a strong case for itself.
Images: RTR Vehicles
