The horsepower wars between American muscle cars remain at full swing with Ford showing off the all-new 2020 Shelby GT500—the quickest, most high-performance Ford Mustang ever.

The Shelby GT500 starts with a supercharged 5.2-liter aluminum alloy engine built by hand. It features weight-saving wire-arc cylinder liners, high-flow aluminum cylinder heads plus larger forged connecting rods, improved lubrication, and cooling passages. After that, the team inverts a 2.65-liter roots-type supercharger to make at least 700 horsepower.



To channel power and torque to the unique carbon fiber driveshaft, Ford Performance opted to use a 7-speed TREMEC-sourced dual-clutch transmission over its own 10-speed automatic. This dual-clutch transmission is designed for a number of drive modes, including normal, slippery, sport, drag and track, and features line-lock and rpm-selectable launch control through selectable Track Apps.

The 2020 Shelby GT500 takes advantage of revised suspension geometry, a new electronic power steering unit, and lighter-weight coil springs front and rear. Next-generation active MagneRide suspension is baked-in, along with the latest in advanced drive mode technologies from Ford Performance.



Putting all this chassis hardware to the pavement, custom Ford Performance-spec Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and more aggressive Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires feature unique compounds and tread. To provide track-ready stopping power, massive 16-5-inch (420-millimeter) two-piece rotors are added – the largest of any US-branded sports coupe – plus larger, stiffer Brembo six-piston calipers.

Two handling packages with increasing levels capability are offered for the all-new Shelby GT500. An available Handling Package includes adjustable strut top mounts and spoiler with Gurney flap. For the truly hardcore, an available Carbon Fiber Track Package features exposed 20-inch carbon fiber wheels with 0.5-inch-wider rear wheels (11.5-inch), custom Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, adjustable exposed carbon fiber GT4 track wing and splitter wickers with integrated dive plane. The rear seat is deleted to reduce weight.



Inside, the Shelby GT500’s purpose-built cockpit boasts race-inspired premium materials and unique finishes worthy of its world-class power. Premium touchpoints include an available exposed carbon fiber instrument panel and new door panel inserts in Dark Slate Miko suede with accent stitching. Recaro seats with pass-throughs for safety harnesses are also offered.

The all-new Shelby GT500 picks up a 12-inch full-color LCD instrument cluster, while a high-performance custom-tuned 12-speaker B&O Play premium audio system is available. All of this is controlled via an 8-inch SYNC 3 touch screen.



Sadly, the Shelby GT500 looks destined only for the US market where it’ll arrive in showrooms there by the third quarter of this year. It may become available in select global market such as China, where Ford Performance has a very strong following.