Vaughn Gittin Jr. Accuses Car And Driver Of Using AI After A Negative Review Of His 800 HP Mustang That’s Slower Than A Mustang GT

Key Points:

• Car and Driver tested the supercharged Spec 3 Mustang by Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s RTR tuning firm, finding it slower in acceleration, with less grip and longer stopping distances than a regular Mustang GT, despite its 810-horsepower engine and $110,000 price tag.
• Vaughn Gittin Jr. personally responded in the article’s comments, explaining the car’s design prioritizes a fun, versatile driving experience over raw performance numbers, and criticized the review for focusing solely on data rather than the overall driving feel.
• Gittin Jr. controversially suggested the article might have been written by AI, a claim dismissed by Car and Driver’s publisher who confirmed the journalist wrote the piece independently, leading to criticism of Gittin Jr. for making unsupported allegations.
• RTR issued a corporate statement emphasizing their Mustang Spec 3 is built to create a connected and enjoyable driving experience rather than chase instrumented test results, highlighting community and passion over performance metrics.
• The incident raises concerns about fair automotive journalism and manufacturer responses, with the editor noting that loaning a car for review entails accepting objective criticism, and condemning the unfounded AI authorship accusation as unfair and unprofessional.