September 18th Throttle 🏎️💨

What’s up Throttle Heads 😎. Welcome back to another newsletter.

Ford Mustang GTD Set to Churn Out 815 HP from Its V8 Heart

Ford has just given a big fat middle finger to anyone who thinks a V8 engine should not exist in 2024. The 2025 Mustang GTD, a GT-variant of the Mustang designed to compete with the 911 GT3, has been unveiled for some time with the public knowing a monstrous 5.2-liter V8 will power it. However, the horsepower figures have remained unclear until now. And boy oh boy Ford outdid themselves this time. The GTD will produce a mind-blowing 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque‼️

This will also be the fastest Mustang ever with a top speed of 202 miles per hour. Although, it is technically a tie with the 2013 GT500 which also had a 202 miles per hour top speed. This is 22 mph faster than the latest GT500 which was capped at 180 mph due to the maximum rotation speed of the driveshaft. The GTD’s drag reduction system, which reduces the angle of the massive rear wing and activates flaps under the front of the car to maintain aerodynamic balance, enables it to reach such a high top speed. Ford plans to use the GTD to set an official sub-seven-minute lap of the Nürburgring. The application window for buying a Mustang GTD closed a while ago with buyers having to shell out $325,000. Production is expected to begin in late 2024 or early 2025.

Kia’s Next EV is A Big Ugly Van

Kia has been releasing EVs left and right over the last couple years as they have been jumping on the EV frenzy. Most of their vehicles have been aimed at daily use and commuters until now. Kia is now planning to get into the EV van space which is a segment of the market being targeted by legacy brands like Chevy and startups like Rivian. Known as the PBVs, the Korean brand recently showed off the PV5 and PV7 models at the IAA Transportation Show in Hanover, Germany. These vans feature a unique and rather polarizing design with short overhands, low-set window sills, and a high roofline aimed at the passenger market.

Kia promises quick recharge times from 10%-80% in thirty minutes which is perfect for daily use. KIA says they will be able to take advantage of the Kia Charge Network in Europe which offers 780,000 charging ports across 28 countries. The van will compete directly with Ford’s E-transit models and they might gain an edge as they built to be EVs from the ground up instead of a retrofitted combustion engine platform. Kia PV variants all sit on a platform specifically designed for electric vans which means Kia will be able to offer future models. A North American model is reportedly in the works; however, Kia has yet to release a lot of information.

Volkswagon Releases Pricing Infor For the Long-Awaited ID.Buzz

Volkswagen has been teasing its ID Buzz electric van for what feels like forever at this point. Despite its quirky looks, I am honestly really excited to see it cruising along Pacific Coast Highway and roads across my home state of California. Volkswagon recently released the pricing info and holy this van does not come cheap. The entry level Pro S model will require you to dish out $61,545 if you want one of these bad boys in your driveway. Despite the high cost, it honestly comes pretty well-equipped and it is similar to the highest level trims of other vans minivans. It includes 20-inch wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate.

The Pro S Plus increases the starting price to $65,045 and adds a head-up display, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and a “flexboard” which creates a flat load floor when the rear seats are sowed. For $4500, you can add a second electric motor to provide all-wheel drive and 335 horsepower. For $67,045, you can get the ID Buzz first edition which includes some sick wheels, badges, and heritage floor mates in all three rows among some other cool features. The ID Buzz is EPA-rated at 234 miles for the and 231 miles for the all-wheel drive.