Overview
The most sturdy and fastest factory Mustang ever, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 intermixes modern sports-car performance with iconic muscle-car presence, built on the same racetrack-capable chassis as the astounding Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. Yielding an additional 234 horsepower that adds up to its credibility at the drag strip, the GT500 speeds up effortlessly with equal amounts of brains and brawn. This amazing muscle-car includes a supercharged V-8 that hammers out 760 horsepower, magnetorheological dampers and a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. For drivers searching for the best out of this mammoth Mustang, optional carbon-fiber wheels, track tires, and aerodynamic aids are offered. The Shelby GT500 sits at the top of American muscle cars along with the797-hp Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and the 650-hp Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Features to look out for in 2020
Reviving a nameplate initially introduced in 1967 and last used from 2013 to 2014, the Mustang Shelby GT500 is all-new for 2020. The 2020 Shelby GT500 is the best-performing and most gracious Mustang to ever be launched from a Ford assembly plant.
Pricing
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is priced at $74,095
Engine, transmission and performance
With a 760-hp supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that revolves to 7500 rpm with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, —the Shelby GT500’s single powertrainis engineered for speed, with an attempt to put the engine’s full strength through only the rear tyres, implying this Shelby isn’t as swift as expected. The GT500 is anticipated to be good for a 3.5-second rip to 60 mph and an 11.0-second quarter-mile, once it is run through the testing protocol. Cars with considerably less power, but more rear grip, like the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette, will easily outrun that 0-60mph time.
But it is not all about straight-line performance, since on a racetrack, the GT500 snaps off violent shifts, coming across every bit as menacing as it is. The standard tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, but it is the optional Cup 2 tyres that transform the GT500 into an apex-hunting machine. Although the car is quite bulky with an estimated curb weight of 4200 pounds, the GT500 corners confidently and turns in without hesitation. The brake pedals could have been firmer, but the massive Brembo brakes hold up smoothly to track abuse, without any evidence of fade.
Interior, comfort and cargo
The Mustang Shelby GT500 is enormous in comparison to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, but if one is looking for comfort with tyre-smoking burnouts and quarter-mile launches, one cannot simply do better than the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. The GT500’s cockpit is much tighter than that of the Dodge, and its suspension is firmer. Having said that, the Mustang is astonishingly competent for how laser-focused it is on performance, with the magnetorheological dampers keeping the body under tight control, and yet taking the shock out of hard impacts.
The optional Recaro seats will hug you tight at all times, so it is advised to avoid them if you have personal-space issues. The Shelby’s rear seats are somewhat crowded even for young children, especially if they ought to be sitting behind even a decently tall adult. The trunk of the car, at 14 cubic feet, is significantly larger than that of the Camaro, which is 9 cubic feet, but a bit smaller than the Challenger’s (16 cubic feet).
Infotainment and connectivity
Every GT500 model comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen that runs Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. The usual setup includes SiriusXM satellite radio, two USB ports, a CD player, and 9 speakers. The company’s own navigation and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system are installed as part of the $3000 Technology package. Each GT500 possesses the ability to be locked and unlocked from the FordPass phone app, serving as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with a data subscription.
Safety and driver-assistance features
Ford brings outan assortment of active safety and two USB portsdriver-assistance features on lesser Mustangs which are not available on the GT500. Despite the high marked price, Shelby buyers have to adjust without automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control,automatic high-beams and lane-departure warning. A backup camera is standard, since it is required by law, while blind-spot monitoring is an added installation in the $3000 Technology package. The key safety features include:
- Standard rear-view camera
- Available blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and maintenance coverage
The warranty on the Mustang Shelby GT500 offered by Ford is identical to that of its rivals, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. A bumper-to-bumper warranty exhausts3 years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty is good-to-go for 5 years or 60,000 miles. There is also a roadside assistance included for 5 years or 60,000 miles, without complimentary scheduled maintenance.