The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 isn’t just a car; it’s an automotive titan, a modern-day “Goliath” ready to dominate both the street and the track. As Ford’s most potent street-legal creation to date, this machine packs a staggering 760 horsepower, delivering the raw power and visceral roar that any true Mustang enthusiast craves. While its straight-line speed is undeniably brutal and its track handling is laser-focused, the Shelby GT500 truly distinguishes itself with surprisingly refined street manners, making it more than just a one-trick pony. This isn’t just a Mustang; it’s a Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra, evolved and amplified for the 21st century.
Beneath the aggressive exterior, the soul of the Mustang remains. The Recaro seats offer a comfortable embrace, and the inclusion of rear seats adds a touch of practicality. Creature comforts like air conditioning are present and accounted for, while the interior layout and materials maintain a familiar Mustang feel. And yes, the trunk is still generously sized, capable of handling everyday needs – or perhaps something a bit less ordinary.
Having personally experienced the thrill of a cross-country journey in a 2014 3.7-liter Mustang, the prospect of piloting a Mustang with over twice the horsepower was genuinely exhilarating. The previous GT500, produced in the same year as my own Mustang, boasted a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 delivering 662 HP. In a testament to engineering progress, the 2020 model generates nearly 100 additional horsepower from a smaller displacement engine, showcasing Ford’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance.
Under the Hood: Diving into the GT500 Specs
The heart of the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a marvel of modern engineering: a 5.2-liter cross-plane crank V8 engine. This powerhouse is force-fed by an inverted Roots-type 2.65-liter supercharger, complete with an air-to-liquid intercooler system. The result is a formidable output of 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. Remarkably, the engine revs to a lofty 7,500 rpm, an impressive figure for a supercharged application. Power is channeled to the rear wheels through a lightning-fast seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch transmission, ensuring seamless and rapid gear changes.
Ford states the GT500’s top speed is electronically limited to 180 mph. However, the acceleration figures are truly breathtaking. The car sprints from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds and conquers the quarter-mile in just 10.7 seconds. Perhaps even more astonishing is its 0-100-0 mph time of 10.6 seconds, highlighting the GT500’s exceptional braking capabilities and overall performance envelope. These figures firmly place the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 in the upper echelons of performance cars.
Behind the Wheel: Experiencing the Shelby GT500’s Drive
The day began with a shared driving experience alongside another automotive journalist, a seasoned veteran with an impressive history of reviewing high-performance vehicles from McLaren to Ferrari. Her initial request to take the GT500 for the first drive was met with immediate agreement, trusting in her expertise to gauge the car’s capabilities.
Almost instantly upon leaving the parking area, the GT500 demonstrated its raw power, breaking traction and momentarily challenging control. This served as an immediate reminder: while the car can be docile and manageable, respect for its immense power is paramount, especially when the tires are cold and grip is compromised.
The Ford-organized press drive led onto expansive Nevada highways, granting a 45-minute window to experience the GT500 in a cruising environment. At speeds between 65 and 70 mph, the engine settled into a relaxed hum, operating below 2,000 RPM. This showcased the car’s surprisingly comfortable and composed nature for everyday driving.
Personal driving preferences leaned towards Sport+ mode, with both steering and exhaust settings also configured to Sport. While these settings amplify the car’s more aggressive character, the ability to quickly switch the exhaust to “Quiet Mode” proved useful for discreet navigation through more heavily policed areas.
However, subtlety is not in the GT500’s vocabulary. Even in a subdued silver-gray paint, the car’s imposing front fascia and prominent rear wing command attention. It’s a vehicle that makes a statement wherever it goes.
Despite its inherent performance capabilities, the GT500 is surprisingly content in commuter traffic. Its gearing ensures that even at lower speeds, the driving experience remains engaging. Yet, the car’s true purpose lies beyond mundane commutes. Engaging “sport mode” or “track mode” unleashes its inner beast, eagerly awaiting the command to unleash its full potential. A press of the accelerator prompts the transmission to downshift aggressively, instantly transforming the GT500 into the snarling, high-performance machine it was engineered to be.
While initial thoughts pondered the absence of a manual transmission in the GT500, the Tremec dual-clutch proved to be a revelation. Its responsiveness and efficiency are exceptional, delivering gear changes exactly when desired and contributing to the car’s overall performance prowess.
In previous experiences with S550 Mustangs, a sense of the car’s width and road positioning was often elusive. While the GT500 remains a substantial vehicle, the prominent hood scoop unexpectedly aided in lane centering, providing a visual reference point and enhancing driver confidence.
The sheer power and Ford’s vibrant color palette options necessitate a degree of responsibility behind the wheel. Restraint is sometimes the greatest challenge, particularly when faced with posted speed limits that seem almost comical in the context of the GT500’s capabilities. To fully explore the car’s performance limits in a controlled environment, Ford provided access to a quarter-mile drag strip.
Unleashing Fury: Drag Mode Performance
Ford’s claim of a 10.7-second quarter-mile for the GT500 was put to the test, and under optimal conditions, it’s undoubtedly achievable. However, real-world factors introduced some variables. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway drag strip’s elevation of approximately 2,000 feet and the hot ambient temperature presented less-than-ideal conditions. Furthermore, the test cars had already endured multiple groups of journalists prior to this session. Despite limited drag racing experience and unfamiliarity with the track’s timing system and the car’s drag strip mode and line-lock features, the results were still remarkable.
Initial runs yielded times of 11.8 and 11.6 seconds, culminating in an impressive 11.23-second quarter-mile at 130 mph. These figures underscore the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500’s inherent drag racing capabilities, even in less-than-perfect circumstances and with a novice driver.
Recently I got to get behind the wheel of the 2020 #ShelbyGT500
Posted by Nicole Ellan James on Monday, November 18, 2019
In drag mode, engaging launch control is a straightforward process: apply the brake with the left foot, floor the accelerator, and release the brake pedal. While a brief pause precedes the launch, the subsequent acceleration is described as “extremely forceful,” generating G-forces comparable to a jet takeoff.
Prior to each drag strip run, Ford representatives encouraged the use of the line-lock feature. This system selectively engages the front brakes, allowing the rear wheels to spin freely for tire warm-up. Beyond its functional purpose, line-lock also provides an undeniably entertaining spectacle of tire smoke and roaring engine.
Even after multiple drag strip passes, each preceded by a substantial burnout, the GT500 exhibited no signs of heat soak or performance degradation. It became clear that the car is engineered to withstand repeated high-performance launches without faltering.
Mastering the Burnout: Line-Lock Activation in the GT500
Activating line-lock in the GT500 involves a sequence of steps: ensure the steering wheel is straight, engage drag strip mode (which includes a safety verification prompt), access “Track Apps” via the Shelby snake button on the steering wheel, scroll to “Line Lock,” and hold the “OK” button until a spinning wheel icon appears on the digital instrument cluster. Upon releasing “OK,” firmly press the brake pedal. The system provides haptic feedback through brake pedal pulsation and prompts to press “OK” again.
Once line-lock is engaged, counterintuitively, the brake pedal can be released while fully depressing the accelerator for up to 15 seconds. Despite initial hesitation, the car remains stationary, allowing for impressive, tire-smoking burnouts.
Track Prowess: Corner Carving Capabilities
While Mustangs have historically been associated with straight-line speed, the modern Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 is a capable track machine. Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s road course, a technical circuit with sweeping turns, a decreasing radius corner, and a chicane, served as the proving ground for the GT500’s handling dynamics. Several GT500s were equipped with roll bars and six-point harnesses for track testing.
On the straights, the GT500’s power is addictive, accompanied by an intoxicating exhaust note. Massive brake calipers and 16-inch front rotors inspire confidence in late braking, allowing for controlled weight transfer during corner entry.
Despite the inherent weight of the V8 engine and supercharger positioned over the front axle, the GT500 exhibits surprising agility in corners.
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires provide exceptional grip on the track, generating lateral forces that firmly secure occupants in their seats. Given limited track time and personal driving experience, the decision was made to experience the GT500’s full track potential from the passenger seat, alongside Ford Performance Vehicle Dynamics Engineer Steve Thompson. Riding with a professional driver offers invaluable insight into a car’s true capabilities and track dynamics.
Thompson’s track demonstration was nothing short of breathtaking. Exiting the pit lane, he immediately unleashed the GT500’s power, attacking corners with precision and aggression. The car’s grip levels were remarkable, allowing Thompson to maintain a delicate balance at the edge of adhesion, navigating turns with tire-screeching intensity.
The passenger experience solidified the GT500’s track prowess. While already impressed from behind the wheel, witnessing a professional extract the car’s maximum performance revealed its truly formidable capabilities. When queried about the GT500’s drifting potential, Thompson’s response was to initiate a controlled drift through a sweeping corner, demonstrating that while not a dedicated drift machine, the GT500 is capable of controlled slides, albeit with potential intervention from the traction control system depending on the selected driving mode.
Final Verdict: The All-Around Performance King
Having driven the majority of the 2020 Mustang lineup, the question arises: which Mustang reigns supreme? The answer, as with most automotive choices, depends on intended use. While comparisons to the GT350 are inevitable, they represent distinct approaches to performance. The GT350 embodies an analog sports car ethos, characterized by its exceptional suspension and aerodynamics, high-revving flat-plane V8, and engaging six-speed manual transmission. The GT500, while capable on track, excels as a drag strip weapon, delivering raw power and brutal acceleration.
In terms of overall performance versatility, the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 stands as a true all-rounder. It possesses the breadth of capabilities to excel in diverse driving scenarios, from daily commuting to drag strip domination and track day thrills. For those seeking a taste of GT500 performance without the associated fuel consumption (EPA estimated 12 mpg city, 18 mpg highway), the EcoBoost High-Performance Pack Mustang offers a compelling alternative, delivering a “mini-GT500” experience with sufficient performance for spirited driving.
The time spent with the GT500, though brief, left an indelible impression. It’s a car that embodies ferocity, auditory drama, and tire-smoking exhilaration, firmly establishing itself as a memorable chapter in the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra legacy.
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