In the history of American pony cars, nothing possesses the same kind of mystique as the Ford Mustang Shelby. It takes the classic Mustang and sprinkles in exciting performance elements not found on the other trim packages. And while the all-new Mustang Bullitt is a fun offering and is reminiscent of the classic Bullitt Steve McQueen drove, the Shelby just takes performance to an entirely different level. For the 2020 model year, Ford has released three Shelby models: The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, the Shelby GT350R, and the GT500. The Shelby GT350 is the least expensive of the three, and yet it packs a sizeable performance punch over all other Mustang trims below it.
Performance Under The Hood
In recent years, Ford has started to move away from the larger V8 engines instead in favor of the smaller, more fuel-efficient, and yet still powerful turbo V6 engines. Some models even include a smaller I4 engine. The same is true with the many of the less expensive Ford Mustang trim packages. And while there’s nothing wrong with opting for a still powerful, more fuel-efficient Ford Mustang, any lover of powerful pony cars knows there’s something about a V8. It’s not just the added performance muscle under the hood. It’s the way it sounds when fuel rips through the engine, and the car roars to life. It’s the way the car feels with the rumble of 8 cylinders churning. It’s the way the car handles. All of this is why a car lover like yourself wants a V8 in your pony car, and is why the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 still packs in a performance engine.
In the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350, Ford dropped in a 5.2L Ti-VCT V8 with Flat Plane Crank. This is the same engine you’ll find in the GT350R as well (and slightly larger than the Bullitt’s 5.0L). With this VCT V8, the engine puts out 526 horsepower and 429-lb ft. of torque (the 350R manages to squeeze out a little more horsepower, all the other engine measurements are the same).
The Shelby comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission because when you have this kind of performance, you’ll want to take complete control of it as you shift. It also offers 14 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. But of course, you’re not buying a Shelby GT350 for its fuel economy. If you were you’d go with the Mustang EcoBoost Fastback that uses an I4 engine and has a possible fuel economy rating of 21 MPG in the city and up to 32 MPG on the highway.
Music To Your Ears
While the roar of the V8 is certainly music to your ears, you’ll want to enjoy your favorite tunes while zipping down the highway. Sometimes there’s just nothing more enjoyable than having your favorite music playing, the windows rolled down, and a never-ending highway stretching off into the horizon. That is why the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 comes standard with a 9-speaker sound system with amplifier, plus FordPass Connect, FordPass, SYNC 3 for easy Bluetooth pairing, Sirius XM radio, and two smart-charging USB ports.
Do you want even more from the audio performance of the 350? If so, you can upgrade to include the B&O Sound system by Bang and Olufsen, which upgrades the 9-speaker system to 12 and includes a CD player, HD radio, and a subwoofer in the trunk. After all, you’re already feeling the rumble from the engine upfront; you might as well add some additional bass in the trunk. Add on the voice-activated navigation system with the pinch-to-zoom capability, and you have a full entertainment system at your disposal.
Looking The Part Of A Performance Shelby
The Ford Shelby always comes with several unique external features that help set the vehicle apart. There are even different badge elements found between the regular Mustang, the Bullitt, and the different Shelby models. The regular Mustangs feature the standard pony badge in the center of the grille while the Bullitt model removes all badges entirely. With the Shelby models, the GT350 and GT350R feature the cobra badge to the left, and the GT500 has the cobra front and center.
And, of course, Ford wants to make sure you are constantly reminded of the fact that you purchased a Shelby not just on the exterior of the vehicle, but on the interior as well. That is why the Shelby cobra icon is printed throughout the inside, as well. You’ll find it right in the middle of the steering wheel (which is loaded with dash controls, so the only time you’ll need to take your hand off the wheel is to shift), plus you’ll find it above the glove box on the passenger side. It’s also sprinkled in along different areas of the vehicle, as well. But after all, when you’re buying a Shelby, you want to remind yourself that you’re driving a Shelby at all times.
Beyond the grille badge, what else does the 2020 GT350 feature on the exterior? He has a pedestal rear spoiler, LED sequential taillights, a rear diffuser, hood vents, HID headlights with LED signature lighting, Easy Fuel capless fuel filler, and a power glass manual-folding with integrated turn-signal mirror and gloss black cap.
If you’re interested in some additional styling features, you can opt for a painted black roof, vinyl over-the-top racing stripe (because let’s face it, there’s just something about a racing stripe on a pony car). If you want to opt into additional safety features, you can also include a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert.
Performance Numbers For the GT350 Shelby
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the performance numbers now. Beyond the engine size, horsepower, and torque, you probably want to know what the Mustang is able to offer you in terms of drive-time and other real-world numbers. With the same engine and only one horsepower apart, you can expect the same overall experience with the GT350 and the GT350R. The 3,791-pound coupe can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds, while its maximum speed is 180 miles per hour.
This rear-wheel-drive coupe is also not designed for the family. In fact, it has a seating capacity of just two passengers, so if you want something that at least allows you to drive the kids to school, you’ll either need to drive one kid at a time or opt for one of the lesser trim packages.
Discover The All-New 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
When it comes to legends in the automotive world, few cars come close to the Mustang Shelby. With the 2020 model year, Ford has three Shelby models available, including the Mustang Shelby GT350. With a powerful V8, amazing performance specs, and several upgrade options, the Ford Mustang Shelby once again pushes the level of an American pony car. And no matter if you’re interested in purchasing the latest Shelby or you simply love digging under the specs and uncovering everything the car can do, the Shelby GT350 lives on as one of the most head-turning cars on the road today.
