Ever since it was first revealed at the 2019 North American International Auto Show, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has been stirring up a lot of buzz. From its incredibly powerful engine to the new transmission and everything else around them, there’s a lot to get excited about when it comes to this absolute beast of a sports car. While there are a lot of different Ford models to choose from out there, for fans of high performance and unbeatable power, the Mustang Shelby GT500 will certainly set a new standard.
It can be easy to miss information as each new detail and tidbit is officially released or “leaked” to the media about the upcoming Mustang. As such, staying on top of everything we know about it can get away from you and the next thing you know, your neighbor is mentioning something that you hadn’t heard and you’re scrambling to catch up. Don’t let that happen – don’t let John drop some info-bomb on you and leave you standing there with a dumb look on your face.
Don’t do it! Here’s what you need to know to make sure that doesn’t happen.
#1 – The Engine is Insane!
If you decide there is absolutely nothing else you want to know about the 2020 Ford Mustang GT500 and abandon this article to wallow in the dark recesses of the internet, then at the very least you should read this to learn about the engine. Why? Because it is one of the most powerful and incredible engines that has ever been among the Ford models and redefines the kind of power and performance people will expect from high-end Mustangs for years to come.
It is a 5.2L Supercharged V8 engine that can provide up to an astonishing 760 hp and 625 lb.-ft. of torque. According to Ford itself, that makes it the most power and torque-dense supercharged production V8 in the world and the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the most powerful street-legal Ford model that they have ever produced. It is an absolute monster that a lot of people will be using as the mark to compare other engines against for quite a while.
But what does this mean in terms of actual performance? We don’t have all the numbers yet, but according to Ford it goes from 0 to 60 in less than 3.0 seconds, can do a quarter-mile in less than 11 seconds, and makes it one of the fastest and most powerful production cars anywhere. So much so that…
#2 – There’s a Governor to Keep it Street Legal
The actual top speed has not been discussed by Ford, but what we do know is that it has a governor that keeps its top speed restricted to just 180 mph. Hopefully, we can all survive with such a harsh restriction on the speed limit and find a way to appreciate this vehicle still. It does make me wonder how long it will take for people to find a way to circumvent that factory limitation to push beyond 180 mph.
Something tells me people will still manage to get themselves into trouble with this incredibly powerful vehicle, even with that limit in place. While there are a lot of Ford sport car models that can push the limits of production performance, this one really seems to break a lot of boundaries and go beyond what I would have expected. Of course, nothing is without controversy, and some people are not entirely happy with…
#3 – The First Dual-Clutch on a Mustang
This is big news for a couple of reasons and marks some important developments for the Mustang among other Ford models. This new clutch is automatic, so those folks out there that only believe in manual transmissions for sports cars aren’t going to be happy. There’s something to be said for manually shifting in a sports car – that level of control and precision while driving really can’t be matched by anything else.
That being said, when it comes to automatic transmissions, a solid dual-clutch system is beyond anything else on the road. The 7-speed dual-clutch in the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is truly exceptional and provides incredible speed when shifting. It can change gears in less than 100 milliseconds, according to Ford, which far surpasses even the most skillful driver with a manual transmission.
That smooth transitioning from gear to gear will make driving this new Mustang an absolute dream. It’s going to make that final number for how quickly this beauty can go from 0 to 60 much more interesting. So far, all we know is that it’s less than 3.0 seconds, but with such an incredible engine and a dual-clutch transmission, the actual number should be awe-inspiring.
#4 – It will be Available in 11 Colors
To be fair, the outside color is probably not the most important thing in the world to a lot of drivers, but it’s something I always like to check out on various Ford models. The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will make a splash any time you see it, no matter what, but the bold and exciting colors that Ford is offering will only enhance that overall “wow” factor. For example, so far we have seen it in Twister Orange, Grabber Lime, and Red Hot Metallic – all of which immediately demand your attention and don’t let your eyes go.
These kinds of bold colors really speak to the decisions that the Ford engineers and designers have made on the new Mustang at every level. It’s all about pushing the envelope, going to the absolute limit of what’s possible, and never apologizing for it. Any car company can toss out a new sports car in black, white, and basic red – those always look great. To roll out with blazing metallic oranges and greens, however, shows real commitment and confidence. But that confidence comes at a price…
#5 – The Price Tag is No Joke
While Ford itself has not officially stated the price, some pricing information was leaked online, and when asked about it, a representative for Ford confirmed that it was correct. In other words, this information could possibly change before the new 2020 Mustang hits dealerships, but I wouldn’t bet on it. And if it does change at all, it won’t be by much.
The starting MSRP on the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is $70,300 with a destination fee and taxes that push that up to actually starting at $73,995. That’s certainly high when compared to a lot of other Ford models, but I believe that there’s really nothing else to compare this beauty to. It’s in a league all its own.
Of course, that steep price tag is only the starting point, and if you pick up any available packages, the price can quickly jump up even more. For example, the Carbon Fiber Track package, which adds 20-inch carbon wheels, adjustable strut mounts, and other high-performance features, adds more than $18,000 to the price tag. If you want better interior tech and luxury features, then the Technology package pushes that up another $3,000.
Exterior features and additions will also add onto that price, including $1,000 for vinyl stripes or painted stripes for an extra $10,000. All in all, with even a few additions inside and out, you can quickly end up with a final price over $100,000. Is that price tag worth it? That all depends on if you want the most powerful Ford model ever produced for the open road. If so – then you already have your answer.
