The 2026 Ford Mustang RTR is a Drifter's Dream

The Mustang lineup expands again in 2026 with the arrival of a new trim aimed squarely at fans of drifting. The Mustang RTR (short for Ready to Rock) is the result of a collaboration between Ford and Vaughn Gittin Jr., a professional drifter and the founder of RTR.

Intriguingly, this is only the second time the automaker has partnered with an extreme sports star for a special edition Mustang. The model, which will only be available as a hardtop coupe powered by an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, will reach Canadian showrooms in the summer of 2026.

The Mustang RTR will be powered by the same four-cylinder, 2.3L engine as any other EcoBoost. However, it isn’t just an appearance package — it also comes with a collection of go-fast parts inspired by motorsports.

Under the hood, the Mustang RTR will make the same 315 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque as the standard model, but an antilag system derived directly from the Le Mans-winning Ford GT is designed to improve throttle response. The system maintains pressure in the turbocharger when the driver lifts off the accelerator in order to provide more instant (and linear) power when the driver’s foot goes back onto it.

Ford’s engineers found some more fun stuff to tame the Mustang in the corners while rooting around in the parts bin, too. Brembo brakes (six-pistons in the front and fours in the rear) were borrowed from the Mustang GT Performance while the stabilizer bars and the rear sub-frame come directly from the Dark Horse. Thus, the Mustang RTR has a more rigid chassis and optimized handling, notably during powerslides. And to ensure the EcoBoost engine can induce a drift, the RTR has been equipped with a special electronic “drift brake” where the handbrake normally goes.

On top of that all, the car gets a specially tuned MagneRide suspension and a track mode that reprograms the stability control system to allow expressive drivers more lateral liberty. For those who want even more, Ford Performance will offer a special tuning package that increases power from 315 hp to 350 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, all without affecting the factory warranty.

There are some exterior updates to go with those performance upgrades, too. To start, the badge on its grille has been borrowed from the Mustang GT, it gets illuminated nostrils, and its wheels are 19-inches to fit around the Brembo brake calipers that have been painted Hyper Lime. The trim has also been darkened and there’s a black wing on the trunk lid. Buyers can additionally opt for the Hyper Lime equipment group, which adds fluorescent highlights all around the body.

Inside, the Hyper Lime theming continues on the kick plates, the centre console, the door cards, and the drift brake. When the Premium package is added, buyers get ActiveX or black leather upholstery, a special startup animation, and a numbered RTR plaque.

Deliveries of the 2026 Ford Mustang RTR start next summer. Prices will be shared at a later date.