Ford’s Mustang is Pushing Past The Limits

The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has all of the charms of its predecessors, but is built with the newest technology to make this the most powerful Ford model with hopes of horsepower over 700. 

Ford is rolling in another descendant of its famous sport-coupe: the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The outside of the new GT500 mirrors the classic design on previous Mustangs with upgrades from the windshield up for the new 2.6 liter supercharger under the hood without adding a hood bulge. The front suspension of the new Mustang also had to be altered to accommodate the wider track, huge tires, and flared fenders. The GT500 also features a carbon-fiber grille opening support structure, which was originally designed for the GT350. Fans will also notice the return of the original headlights on the 2020 model. Due to the support structure, the GT500 was not compatible with the newly designed headlights in 2018 models. 

The 2020 Mustang Shelby also has a Carbon Fiber Handling Pack option for optimal track performance. The pack comes with 20 inch carbon fiber wheels, a carbon fiber wing, with two settings, chin splitter, and removes the rear seats. The wing adjusts to regular and track; track setting angles the wing up a few inches for more downforce. 

The GT500 ride on 305-width tires on 20 inch wheels. What is really interesting about this new model are the massive brakes. It’s equipped with Brembo fixed calipers, six piston in the front and four for the back, that clamp onto large steel, 420mm brake discs. This is largest brakes available for any domestic sports car, according to Ford. Base models come with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and the Handling Package comes with Michelin Pilot Sports Cup 2s tires. 

It has yet to be revealed just how powerful the new Mustang Shelby GT500 will be, but Ford says that it will make more than 700 horsepower. Equipped with a supercharged 5.2 liter V8 engine, the GT500 is surely going to be the brand’s most powerful model yet. While other models like the Mustang Shelby GT350 contain the 5.3 liter engine, the new model contains various unique parts including a cross-plane crankshaft and a massive 2.6 liter Eaton supercharger. It is also super fast. It is said to have 0-60mph pick up in just three seconds, and can complete a quarter mile in 11 seconds.

Pricing and more details are set to be released this upcoming fall. Ford performance manager Jim Owens says that their team of engineers will continue to push up the horsepower until they can get it at its highest before they need to certify it, ensuring this is planned to be the most powerful Mustang yet. 

Type: 5.2 liter V8 supercharged engine

Transmission: dual clutch transmission

Power: over 700 hp 

(originally published in Bleu Magazine Issue #59)