Ford's most powerful street-legal Mustang packs 567kW

Tuesday, 6 August 2019

Ford has revealed more details about the most powerful street-legal Mustang ever built (well, for now at least).

A 5.2-litre supercharged V8 will crank out 769 horsepower (567kW) in the 2020 Shelby GT500.

The new version has a beefed-up suspension and brakes. It also has a seven-speed dual clutch transmission that Ford promises will shift smoothly on commutes and quickly on the track. The engine is hand-built at a Michigan factory and comes with unique pistons and other parts. It also cranks out a staggering 847Nm of torque.

The Shelby GT500 gets savage performance to match its savage looks.

'The range of brute-force drag acceleration, seamless road shifts and amazingly smooth shifts on the track further highlights how the soul of the Shelby GT500 is elevated in our most advanced Mustang ever,' said Ed Krenz, Ford Performance chief program engineer. 'Effortlessly handling the 760 horsepower is our segment-first Tremec dual-clutch transmission, with an advanced control system that enhances GT500's five drive modes to deliver a driving experience once reserved only for exotic supercars.'

**READ MORE:

Ford has squeezed 567kW out of the supercharged 5.2-litre V8.

* A four-cylinder Mustang is now the coolest one

* An all-electric Mustang is coming out to play

* The best Mustang GT you can buy in NZ is a used one: specifically this one**

Ford says the Shelby GT500 will go from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometres per hour) in around 3.5 seconds, although the company didn't release a precise number. That's slightly slower than the mid-engine 2020 Chevrolet Corvette, which General Motors says will do it in under three seconds.

Performance powertrain engineering manager Patrick Morgan says the new version is aimed at Mustang enthusiasts who also want track performance.

'Contrary to popular belief, fast shifts do not always equate to better road performance,' said Morgan. 'In every driving situation, we emulated what professional drivers do, whether it's a smooth, precise heel-and-toe shift of a professional track driver or a much more forceful powershift like drag racers. We've designed the perfect shift every time.'

He said the car can go from zero to 100 mph (161 kilometres per hour) and back to zero again in 10.6 seconds. Or quicker than the ground-breaking McLaren F1.

Hardcore purists will be upset, however - the Shelby GT500 will not be available with a manual transmission.