This latest iteration—effectively a special appearance package—borrows its name from a land-speed racing legend.

The Ford Mustang GTD has already cemented its place in the canon of great American sports cars, as it’s the first U.S.-made machine to break the seven-minute barrier at the Nürburgring. The car’s 6:57.685 lap puts it ahead of plenty of serious performance machines, including the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Ferrari 296 GTB.

Ford Motor Co. unveiled two new Mustang variants Thursday in Detroit, showcasing American performance innovation while the automaker's stock trades near its 52-week low of $9.49.