The GT500 has been the most powerful Mustang Ford has ever made. However, the car has been discontinued the last generation of the car, so a new model is en route. So far Ford hasn’t said much about this upcoming model but it has been spied testing around Detroit numerous times by now. Its main competitors will be the Hellcat Dodge cars and the new ZL1, both making more than 650 horsepower. The upcoming 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is going to be a bit more different than these cars, though, but more on that later.
PLATFORM AND RUNNING GEAR
It seems that all the development for the car has been made on the GT350 platform. The camouflaged cars that have been driving around Detroit all use the same low front end as the GT350. However, while the car will use the same platform, it seems that it will have a wider track at the back. The wheels seem wider as well and all the development cars used the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. Other modifications to the car’s platform will most likely be to its running gear. Here thew GT500 is expected to receive, as standard, the magnetic ride control dampers from the GT350 as well as standard carbon ceramic brakes which have been seen on all the prototypes. One of the largest unknown factors so far is the price. The GT350R starts at roughly $65,000 which is quite a bit. However, the GT500 is expected to be much more expensive than that, so it remains to be seen what the actual price will be.
DESIGN
The upcoming 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is likely going to be pretty similar to its smaller sibling, the 350. For starters, it seems that in the front it will receive a more aggressive bumper and splitter with larger air intakes. The fenders also seem to be wider while the hood will have a small bulge, most likely in order to accommodate its engine. The back is definitely wider as well but this features the same diffuser as the regular 350R. On top of that, there is a much larger fixed wing than on the Shelby GT350 which is quite interesting. The prototypes also used the carbon fiber wheels which may be used on the production model, at least as optional extras.
2018 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500 INTERIOR
This is currently under wraps and not much has been said about it. However, considering that the GT500 will become the new top of the range model, we expect it to feature all the best things the Mustang has to offer. The car should receive standard Recaro seats, leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and even aluminum and carbon fiber inserts.
ENGINE
Many people suggested that the 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 would receive a supercharged VooDoo. However, it seems that this is not true. Not that long ago a Mustang wearing the “TT-0081” sticker on its windshield has been spotted. That designation has been used on the Raptor and it means the twin-turbocharged prototype number 81. That’s right! The upcoming GT500 will very likely receive a 5.2 liter VooDoo with twin-turbochargers. Many photographers reported that the car still sounds like the GT350, so it might rev just as high as it with the added benefit of twin-turbos. The actual output is still unknown but we know for a fact Ford will try their best to outrun the competition. It is not that far fetched to think that the upcoming GT500 will provide in excess of 700 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. A manual is highly unlikely at this power level and that’s unfortunate. However, we are quite sure that Ford will install their 10-speed automatic which is a much better deal than the old 6-speed box. With it, the GT500 should easily be capable of getting to 60 MPH in less than 3 seconds.
