Building a car with a specific target of setting a sub seven minute time around the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife, and then achieving it, is special. But then, from its very inception to its creation the Mustang GTD is special. And whether seeing it set records or watching, and hearing, it go up the hill at Goodwood Festival of Speed, others have been seeing how special it is too.

That's why we were soon inundated with requests for a drive in it by the great and the good of the automotive world, all desperate to find out for themselves how good the Mustang GTD really is. Who were we to refuse?

The guys at DriveTribe, Richard Hammond, Izzy Hammond and Mike Fernie, took a road trip to deliver three Mustangs to our media event in France. With a Mustang GT, Mustang Darkhorse and Mustang GTD for company they eventually got there via a detour or two. And then all three presenters took the Mustang GTD on track...before we'd even turned up.

“I'm not playing a computer game, I'm driving a car, a proper mechanical, analogue car... and it's epic”

Richard Hammond, DriveTribe (17:03)

Jean Pierre Kraemer of JP Performance took a good look around the car in the garage, getting a look at the unique suspension set-up, functional rear wing and carbon fibre body. On track later on, he tries to see just how quickly the Mustang GTD can get around the track. Spolier alert; it was quick.

“This is one of the coolest cars I've driven in a long time, or ever!”

Jean Pierre Kraemer, JP Performance (24:24)

For Top Gear UK, Jack Rix and Ollie Marriage shared reviewing duties, one on the road and one on the track. Could the Mustang GTD impress in both environments? We'd like to think we've developed it to do so.

“It doesn't feel like any other Mustang I've ever driven.... so much cornering force to it”

Ollie Marriage, Top Gear (5:14)

Stefan Tinnemann is senior communications manager at Ford Model e, Europe