The most powerful, street-legal pony car has just been launched in the Philippines. That’s right, the Mustang Shelby GT500 is now available through official channels in the archipelagic country, retailing at a price of PHP 7.76 million. It’s powered by a hand-built 5.2 litre supercharged V8 (codename Predator) that produces 760 hp and 847 Nm of torque (0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds), all of which gets sent to the rear wheels through a fast-shifting Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ford claims that the gearbox is capable of shifting gears smoothly in less than 100 milliseconds.
Unique to the GT500 are the carbon-fibre driveshaft, magnesium shock tower braces, several drive modes including Drag and Track, a line-lock feature and rpm-selectable launch control, the Blue Oval’s latest active chassis technology, and new MagneRide suspension system.
Its suspension geometry has been tweaked, and it also gets a new electronic power steering. The car is sprung by lightweight coil springs, sits on 20-inch wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, plus huge Brembo brake callipers and SHW rotors. Ford claims this setup provides the highest ever lateral acceleration from a Mustang. Design-wise, its 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.
It’s unclear whether the Carbon-Fibre Track Package is offered, but this comes with 20-inch unpainted carbon-fibre wheels, adjustable carbon-fibre GT4 spoiler, and rear seat-delete. Inside, there’s Recaro racing seats with suede/leather upholstery, flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped with Alcantara, a rotary gear shift dial, magnesium shift paddles, and special Ford Performance aluminium trimmings. Also on are a 12-inch full-colour LCD instrument cluster and an eight-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen head unit.
Customers in the Philippines have 11 exterior colours to choose from – Antimatter Blue, Carbonised Grey, Grabber Yellow, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Velocity Blue, Race Red, Twister Orange, Iconic Silver, Rapid Red, and Performance Blue.
