The first Shelby Mustang GT500 was built back in 1967, and had a prodigious seven-litre 355 bhp V8. Fast forward to 2019, and the latest Shelby GT500 is rolling off the production line with more than double the horsepower.
The new GT500 is packing 760bhp of supercharged goodness – this time from a meagre (ahem) 5.2-litre engine. A V8, naturally. This results in a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds, and it will do the quarter mile in under 11 seconds.
Unlike its ancestor, this thing can actually corner, too. This is a muscle car with a mind. Take, for example, the magnetorheological dampers. You need a PhD in physics just to pronounce the technology, let alone understand it. But trust us, this gives the Shelby a spritely feel that thoroughly masks its relatively hefty curb weight.
Indeed, fitted with optional Cup 2 tires, this thing will eat race tracks for breakfast. Thanks to some beefy Brembos, it certainly brakes well: it has the largest front brake rotors ever available on an American sports coupe.
The Shelby GT500’s aero-led design increases downforce and thermal management, while the Ford Performance race-tuned active chassis drive modes make this the most advanced Mustang to date.
Ford has used all the knowledge its gleaned from the Ford GT and Mustang GT4 racing programmes and injected it into the Shelby – including a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
And so while the likes of the Dodge Challenger SRT may pip it on a closed-street drag race, they wouldn’t stand a chance in the real world – you know, like on the B3357 to Tavistock.
For more information, go to Ford Mustang.
