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Show Stopper
Ford was hoping to steal the show in Detroit this year, and with the introduction of this all-new Shelby GT500, it has. With more than 700 horsepower on tap, the GT500 is not only the most powerful street-legal Mustang the Blue Oval has ever produced, it also boasts more power than any other Ford product — including the mighty GT supercar. With styling that sets it apart from any “normal” Mustang, this latest Shelby GT500 is designed for more than simply straight-line performance — it’s built to carve corners like a proper sports car.
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Supercharged V8
At the heart of the new GT500 lurks a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that will generate more than 700 horsepower. The GT500’s powerplant is based on the same engine of the GT350, although a number of components have been upgraded to handle the increased power output. All that power and torque gets directed to rear wheels via a carbon fiber driveshaft.
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No Manual
Surprisingly, Ford will not offer the GT500 with a manual gearbox; the big V8 gets teamed with a TREMEC 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that is capable of shifting gears in less than 100 milliseconds. Buyers may miss that third pedal, but — if speed is the ultimate goal — no human can shift faster than the DCT. Drivers may choose from a number of modes to affect how the DCT operates, including weather, sport, drag and track. Launch control is also available — no doubt a much-needed feature.
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Supercar Performance
“With its supercar-level powertrain, the all-new Shelby GT500 takes the sixth-generation Mustang to a performance level once reserved only for exotics,” said Hermann Salenbauch, global director of Ford Performance vehicle programs. “As a Mustang, it has to be attainable and punch above its weight. To that end, we’ve set a new standard among American performance cars with our most powerful street-legal V8 engine to date, plus the quickest-shifting transmission ever in a Mustang for all-out precision and speed,” noted Salenbauch.
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Very Fast
Performance figures are as impressive as anticipated. Ford says the Shelby GT500 will sprint to 60 mph in the mid-3-second range and complete a quarter mile in less than 11 seconds. No top speed has been announced; however, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this ultimate Mustang approaching 200 mph. Final power ratings won’t be released until later this year, so expect those figures to improve.
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Tires and Brakes
To manage all that power, the Shelby GT 500 is equipped with Ford Performance-spec Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Providing the stopping power necessary to corral this Mustang are massive 16.5-inch two-piece rotors with Brembo six-piston calipers.
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Suspension
This high-powered Mustang also gets next-generation active MagneRide suspension. The high-tech system can adjust up to 1,000 times per second to quickly compensate for changes in direction and speed. The result is the highest-ever lateral acceleration from a Mustang for impressive track performance and driver control.
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Functional Styling
There’s no question that the GT500 will turn heads. The Mustang is already a great-looking sports coupe, and the Shelby GT500 has the styling to match its high performance. Aero and cooling are both important for such a vehicle, so much of the design is functional. That includes the louvered hood as well as the integrated rear spoiler. “With a double front grille opening and 50 percent more cooling pack airflow versus the Shelby GT350, along with the most advanced aero components and downforce we’ve ever offered, every millimeter of Shelby GT500’s fastback design is aimed at improving performance,” said Melvin Betancourt, Ford design manager.
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Interior
Inside, the Shelby GT500 has a 12-inch color LCD instrument cluster as well as an 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen display in the center stack. Available Recaro racing seats with exposed carbon fiber trim, as well as pass-throughs for safety harnesses, add a level of sportiness to this powerful Mustang. Although the sound of the exhaust will certainly be an aural delight, those who prefer a different kind of music can upgrade to the 12-speaker B&O premium audio system.
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Track Pack
The Shelby GT500 is an amazing machine with standard equipment. For those who want to get even more extreme, an available Carbon Fiber Track Package includes 20-inch carbon fiber wheels with half-inch-wider rear wheels (11.5-inches), custom Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, an adjustable exposed carbon fiber GT4 track wing and splitter wickers with integrated dive planes. For additional weight reduction, the rear seat is deleted during the interior build.
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2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
2020 Ford Shelby GT500
