The 2025 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 3, a creation from two-time Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gitten Jr.'s shop, RTR, has been put to the test, largely confirming initial assumptions about a tuner car built by a professional drifter.

Unlike the top-of-the-line Spec 5, which prioritized grip and required significant effort to drift, the more affordable and readily available RTR Spec 3 proved to be a highly "slidey" Mustang, capable of getting sideways with ease thanks to its rear-wheel drive and a formidable 810 horsepower.

RTR offers three distinct versions of the Ford Mustang: Spec 2, Spec 3, and Spec 5, with each increasing in performance, price, and exclusivity.

The Spec 2 focuses on handling and cosmetic enhancements, while the Spec 3 adds a Ford Racing supercharger, and the Spec 5 includes a custom widebody kit and Borla exhaust.

Notably, there are no Spec 1 or Spec 4 models. All RTR Mustangs begin as a Mustang GT coupe equipped with the 5.0-liter V-8 engine and the factory Performance package.

The RTR Spec 3, positioned as the middle child, inherits some sophisticated mechanical upgrades.

It features the same RTR Tactical Performance 30-way adjustable shocks, coilover-lowering springs, and three-way-adjustable anti-roll bars found in the other RTR models.

A significant power boost comes from a Ford Racing certified Whipple 3.0-liter supercharger, bolted onto the stock 5.0-liter V-8.

This setup dramatically increases output to 810 horsepower and 615 lb-ft of torque, impressively without necessitating an engine or transmission rebuild, nor a new clutch or rear end.

For customers in California, the supercharger kit must be installed by a local RTR-authorized dealer to ensure emissions legality, while others can have it installed directly by RTR at their North Carolina facility.

This powerful setup is compatible with both the six-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmissions.

Power is channeled to the road through a set of staggered-width, 20-inch RTR wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555 G2 ultra-high-performance summer tires. It's worth noting that despite the substantial increase in power, the braking system remains stock.

Beyond performance, the Spec 3 boasts numerous cosmetic modifications, and elements like the chin splitter, rocker extensions, and decklid spoiler may offer minor aerodynamic improvements, but the majority are for aesthetic appeal.

Design highlights include the signature triangular nostril running lights in the grille, though the sticker package was found to be prone to peeling off easily.

In terms of its on-road behavior and overall appeal, the RTR Spec 3 garners several pros: it "rips from a roll," "drifts on command," and features "tasteful body mods."

However, it also presents some cons, including difficulty in putting all the power down, being a "handful at the limit," and having a perceived $45,000 interior within a $107,000 car, suggesting a potential imbalance in interior quality for its price point.

Nevertheless, the Spec 3 ultimately delivers on the promise of a truly slidey and exciting Mustang experience from a champion drifter's workshop.