TUNNING

2026 Mustang EcoBoost RTR: is a four-pot pony that's ready to drift

It's easy to hate on any Ford Mustang without a melodic V-8 under its hood. However, with the help of Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR tuning firm, Ford has cooked up a performance-focused package that not only makes the four-cylinder model look cooler, but it'll likely make drivers want to earn the title of Drift King.

First teased earlier this year, the 2026 Ford Mustang RTR has now been revealed. It's based on the EcoBoost coupe, with power coming from a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four that makes 315 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Ford says the engine features anti-lag tech derived from the GT race car, so the turbo is prepared to deliver peak boost during hard driving. A 10-speed automatic is the lone transmission choice. Every RTR Mustang also has an active exhaust system that breathes through quad-tipped pipes.

For those who want to push this pony to its limit, there's a set of Brembo brakes that are inherited from the V-8 Mustang GT, with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear units. The Mustang Dark Horse also donated some chassis bits, including its front and rear anti-roll bars as well as its rear subframe. The RTR's steering gear has more travel, and the stability-control system has a special tune in Track mode. These changes, along with the revised adaptive dampers (optional), are designed to make the Mustang easier to drift. The standard hand-operated electronic e-brake is a great way to initiate sideways shenanigans.

The RTR Stang also adopts the GT model's facial features, but its "nostrils" light up. The grille logo is blacked out, and an "RTR" emblem is affixed in the lower corner. Other exclusive exterior details include graphics on the hood, rocker panels, and rear quarter panels. There's a set of 19-inch wheels with a 30 mm offset, and behind them are brake calipers that can be painted black or Hyper Lime; the latter is part of a package that adds the eye-popping color to the body decals.

Inside, the RTR-equipped Mustang stands out from the herd with its Hyper Lime accents. The bright hue is available on everything from the seatbelts to the center console to the hand-brake lever. Lime stitching also outlines the seats and other surfaces, though customers have the choice to skip the neon trimmings. That decision won't affect the illuminated sill plates, the serialized dashboard plaque, or the theatrical RTR animation that plays on the digital displays when you open the door or start the engine.

Ford hasn't yet said how much the RTR package will cost. For 2026, the base EcoBoost coupe starts at $34,315, with the RTR-required High package adding $2195. Meanwhile, the better-equipped Premium model starts at $38,340. If the Mustang RTR starts south of $45K, it could be a sweet performance deal. We'll find out sometime before deliveries start next summer.

Autonews