Justin from American Muscle visited the North American International Auto Show to attend the reveal of the 2020 Shelby GT500, including the press conference. Every guest even had access to virtual reality gear during the presentation.
Introducing the Shelby GT500
The 2020 Shelby GT500 is the most-powerful street-legal Ford to be built. It has a unique version of the 5.2-liter aluminum-alloy engine that was handmade. It also features a 2.6-liter supercharger. The result is more than 700 horsepower via the dual-clutch transmission. This transmission can change gears in under 100 milliseconds. With all that power, the GT500 can go from zero up to 60 mph in the mid-3-second range and a quarter mile takes less than 11 seconds.
During the presentation, Ford also let attendees know that the 2020 Shelby GT500 is just the first of many new vehicles coming our way, including electric vehicles, trucks, and more. We should expect many more within the next 24 months.
Up Close With the GT500
After the presentation, Justin got the chance to take us up close with the 2020 Shelby GT500. It is the same Performance Blue that we saw months ago in a grainy photo at a dealership meeting. The vehicle on display is the Track Pack version with the carbon fiber package.
The front of the bumper has the black front that we saw in the dealer photo. It looks amazing in person, helped by the largest snake ever found on a Mustang. There are also factory-style push-pin hood latches as well as a large vent. In addition to the Performance Blue model we saw, there will be a new Iconic Silver, Lime Green, Red Metallic, and Twisted Orange.
The Track Pack package gives a larger rear spoiler as well as all the unique performance-oriented features in the front. The headlights go back to the 15 to 17 style, sitting on super-wide fenders. Those fenders are wider than the track width found on the GT350.
Moving to the Rear of the Auto
Looking at the wheels, you will notice exposed carbon fiber to show off what the Shelby GT500 is made of. They still get the plasma arc spray as the GT350 to protect the wheels from the heat. You can actually see the brakes thanks to the requirement of stopping the most powerful Shelby GT500 ever. The side features the iconic Shelby badging. Everything from the skull gaps to the grille is gloss.
The exhaust on the GT500 is adjustable with multiple modes to choose from. It sounds impressive coming out of the exhaust. Speaking of the exhaust, these are the largest quad tips to ever come from a stock Mustang, five inches. Combined with the carbon fiber Track Pack spoiler, they really stand out.
Interior
There are no rear seats on the Track Pack version of the GT500, but they do come on the base model. The interior of the vehicle is unique since there is no manual option. Instead, there is a seven-speed DCT for quick shifts.
