When the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 first debuted
earlier in January, Ford levelled the floor with some bold claims, including
that the Shelby GT500 would pack over 700 hp and is by far the most advanced
Mustang ever made for the street, track or drag strip.
It’s powered by a hand-built 5.2 litre supercharged
V8 that’s paired with a Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which it
said is able to shift smoothly in less than 100 milliseconds. Well, the Blue
Oval has officially released the numbers – the V8 engine produces 760 hp and
847 Nm of torque (based on SAE J1349 standards), making it the most powerful
street-legal Ford ever with the most power- and torque-dense supercharged
production V8 engine in the world.
Superlatives aside, the GT500 is capable of managing
the zero to 98 km/h sprint in under 3.5 seconds, and it does so without an
all-wheel drive system. A carbon-fibre driveshaft is employed to channel power
to the rear wheels, and the transmission features a number of drive modes, such
as Normal, Slippery, Sport, Drag and Track. It also has line-lock and
rpm-selectable launch control through Track Apps.
The GT500 gets cutting-edge active
chassis technology, track-bred Michelin tyres and huge Brembo brakes. Its
suspension geometry has been tweaked, and it also gets a new electronic power
steering. The car is sprung by lightweight coil springs, whereas damping is
managed by a set of next-generation active MagneRide suspension. Ford claims
this setup provides the highest-ever lateral acceleration from a Mustang.
Even the wheels are high tech. Hardcore drivers can
opt for the Carbon-Fibre Track Package which comes with 20-inch unpainted CF
wheels (the rear wheels are half an inch wider at 11.5-inch), adjustable
exposed CF GT4 track wing and splitter wickers with integrated dive plane. The
rear seat is deleted to reduce more weight. Those preferring a little bit more
subtlety can opt for the Handling Package, which comes with adjustable strut
top mounts and spoiler with Gurney flap.
The Shelby GT500’s exterior shell has been
extensively redesigned, with a double front grille opening to provide 50% more
cool airflow versus the Shelby GT350. It features Ford’s most advanced aero
components and downforce ever offered on the Mustang, and the car’s design was
inspired by a modern fighter jet.
The cabin gets race-inspired materials and unique
trimmings, including unpainted carbon-fibre appliqué and new door panel inserts
finished in Dark Slate Miko suede with contrast stitching. Recaro racing seats
with heavy side bolsters and pass-throughs for safety harnesses are optional,
so if you’re not a track junkie, perhaps the power-adjustable seats with Miko
suede inserts would be a more suitable choice.
There’s also a 12-inch full-colour LCD instrument
cluster for the driver, a high-performance, custom-tuned 12-speaker B&O
Play premium audio system, as well as an eight-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen head
unit with SiriusXM and FordPass Connect. Fancy yourself a unit? Well, the
available colours include Red Hot, Twister Orange and Iconic Silver. If you’re
a fan of painted stripes, those are available as well. Sales in the US will
begin in September this year.
