Aimed squarely at the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, the GT500, which Ford also bills as “the quickest street legal Mustang ever”, has been extensively re-engineered both outside and underneath, with former made being up of wider front fenders, Shelby specific 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber, functioning bonnet vents, an updated rear spoiler, restyled front bumper with wider air intakes claimed to improve cooling by 50%, a new diffuser and a removable aluminium rain tray aimed at further reducing heat and improving downforce.
Underneath its hardened skin, the GT500 comes as standard with Ford’s MagneRide adaptive damper, revised geometry, recalibrated electric power steering and lighter coil springs, as well as a two-piece 420mm brake rotor design sourced from Brembo with a six-piston caliper setup at the front that is claimed to provide a 20% swept area improvement over the Shelby GT350.
Optionally available however are two handling packs; the first consisting of a Gurney flap rear spoiler and adjustable strut top points while the second, dubbed the Carbon Fibre Track Package, swaps the aforementioned wheels for wider carbon fibre rollers still measuring 20-inches but wrapped in bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and further adds an exposed, fully-adjustable carbon fibre rear wing, revised front splitter and option of having the rear seat removed.
Like the standard Mustang, the Shelby’s interior comes with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SYNC 3 and a 12-speaker B&O Play sound system, although unique touches includes bare carbon fibre inserts on the instrument cluster itself and door panels with Dark Slate Miko suede stitching, and electric sport seats also with Miko suede detailing. An option though are Recaro sport seats with firmer side bolsters and a racing safety harness.
Underneath its bonnet, and like its predecessor, the GT500 comes powered by a hand-built, all-aluminium 5.2-litre V8 aided by a new 2.65-litre supercharger that Ford claims will produce “more than 700 horsepower” or 522kW.
Despite not revealing the exact power figures and claiming a 0-60mph (96km/h) time of “around three seconds”, Ford has confirmed a change in transmission choice by outfitting the GT500 with a model first Tremec sourced, dial operated seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that can change gears in under 100 milliseconds, and comes with five modes; Normal, Sport, Weather, Drag and Track. As ever Launch Control and a Line-Lock function are standard. A conventional six-speed manual is however not been ruled out.
On sale in the US Autumn and in a choice of three new colours, Iconic Silver, Twister Orange and Red Hot, the Shelby GT500, in spite of the standard Mustang being made in right-hand drive, will only be sold with the steering wheel on the left, thus ruling it out for South Africa, though Ford will add the limited run Steve McQueen tribute Bullitt edition later this year.
