USA: Mustang Shelby® GT500

Unlike the car that inspired it—the original GT40—this car was built from the start to be a road-going supercar. However, one thing remained constant: It had to surpass the benchmark set by Ferrari, and that it did, thanks to a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine that delivered 550 hp, a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds, and 205 mph top speed. The result was a faster lap time than a Ferrari 350 Modena.

Key Features

Launch Control

The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 has a base price of $73,995, which can be inflated past $95,000 for a fully loaded model with the few options that are offered. The $1500 Handling package adds adjustable strut top mounts, an oil catch can, a Gurney flap on the rear spoiler, and splitter wickers with integrated dive planes on the front fascia. The $3000 Technology package includes navigation, blind-spot monitoring, SiriusXM satellite radio, heated mirrors with Shelby puddle lamps, and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The big-ticket buy is the $18,500 Carbon Fiber Track pack, which is aimed at anyone planning to lap their Shelby on the track. It deletes the rear seats and adds carbon-fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 track tires, Recaro seats, a larger rear wing, carbon-fiber interior trim, and the same oil catch can, splitter wickers, and adjustable strut top mounts as in the Handling package.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Shelby GT500’s single powertrain—a 760-hp supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that revs to 7500 rpm with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic—is engineered for speed but trying to put the engine’s full might through only the rear tires means this Shelby isn’t as quick as you might expect. We anticipate the GT500 will be good for a 3.5-second rip to 60 mph and an 11.0-second quarter-mile once we run one through our testing protocol. Cars with significantly less power but more rear grip, such as the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette, will handily outrun that zero-to-60-mph time.

12″ LCD Digital Instrument Cluster with MyColor

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

We’ve driven the Shelby GT500, but we haven’t yet tested the car to know how its real-world fuel economy compares with its official fuel-economy figures. The EPA estimates the Shelby GT500’s fuel economy at a thirsty 14 mpg combined, 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. Both the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat are rated at 16 mpg combined with highway figures in the low 20s.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Mustang Shelby GT500 is palatial compared with the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. But if you want comfort with your tire-smoking burnouts and quarter-mile launches, you can’t do better than the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. The GT500’s cockpit is tighter than the Dodge’s, and its suspension is firmer. That said, the Mustang is surprisingly livable for how laser-focused it is on performance. The magnetorheological dampers keep the body under tight control and yet still take the shock out of hard impacts. The optional Recaro seats ($1595 as a stand-alone option or part of the Track pack) will hug you tight at all times, so avoid them if you have personal-space issues. The Shelby’s rear seats are crowded even for young children, particularly if they’ll be sitting behind even a moderately tall adult. If you plan to actually use the rear seat, it’s the Dodge you want. The GT500’s trunk, at 14 cubic feet, is significantly larger than the Camaro’s (9 cubic feet), but slightly smaller than the Challenger’s (16 cubic feet).

Selectable Driving Models

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Shelby GT500 comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen running Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The standard setup also includes SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, two USB ports, and nine speakers. Ford’s own navigation and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system are available as part of the $3000 Technology package. Every GT500 has the ability to be locked and unlocked from the FordPass phone app and to serve as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with a data subscription.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Ford offers several active safety and driver-assistance features on lesser Mustangs that are unavailable on the GT500. Despite the high sticker price, Shelby buyers have to make do without automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beams. A backup camera is standard (it’s required by law), while blind-spot monitoring is included in the $3000 Technology package. Key safety features include:

•  Standard rearview camera
•  Available blind-spot monitoring

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ford’s warranty on the Mustang Shelby GT500 is identical to that of its rivals, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. A bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty is good for five years or 60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is also included for five years or 60,000 miles.

Enjoy a test drive at your nearest ford dealer.