Shelby GT500 Engine Tops the Industry with Crazy Numbers

Truly a trio of wild horses

Any Mustang with a Shelby badge deserves attention. The most powerful and driver focused Mustangs have mostly been Shelbys, and the 2020 GT500 is a case in point. In fact, it completely rewrites the sense of expectation for Ford's front-engined performance cars. 

All the ponies and more

And this is the reason. Ford has confirmed that a 5.2-liter V8 will power the latest Shelby GT500. It features a supercharger and produces absolutely staggering power, peaking at 760hp. That number is supported by a surge of torque totaling 625lb-ft. The wildest Ford pony car ever?

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 Shelby GT500 here in The Mustang Source.

Big boost and a different bottom end

Although this engine is evolved from the same capacity V8 which powers Ford's Mustang GT350, there are notable differences, such as the absence of a flat-plane crankshaft. That hardly matters, though, as the GT500's engine can claim to be the most torque-dense production V8 engine. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 Shelby GT500 here in The Mustang Source.

The blower that makes it happen

This is the component which truly makes the Shelby GT500's V8 so potent. It is a high-volume Roots-type supercharger, produced by Easton, and it can boost up to 12psi of pressure at turbine speeds of up to 18,000rpm. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 Shelby GT500 here in The Mustang Source.

Each one a handbuilt work of automotive art

Ford's most potent production V8 will be built, quite fittingly, by specialized technicians. Each of these GT500 5.2-liter engines will be assembled and pressure tested by hand, to ensure exact standard and class-leading tolerances. The name on your GT500's snake-plaque will be a sign of the company's commitment to quality. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 Shelby GT500 here in The Mustang Source.

Will melt tires at the merest hint of provocation

Ford has not released all performance figures for the Shelby GT500, but with 760hp, you can be sure it will light-up a set of rear tires with great ease. Shifting all that power to the rear axle is a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, instead of a traditional automatic. The numbers that Ford will commit to are a sub-11-second quarter-mile time, and 180mph top end. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 Shelby GT500 here in The Mustang Source.

Lots of trick bits

To help keep the GT500's performance under control, each corner of the car rolls carbon wheels. Behind the composite wheel spokes, you can also see the signature red brake calipers from Italian specialist, Brembo. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 Shelby GT500 here in The Mustang Source.

A big wing that curves a lot of air

For a Mustang to have 180mph capability, the standard car's aero simply isn't enough. To provide additional rear-axle downforce and tracking stability at 180mph, is a large fixed-wing. This produces 500lb of downforce at 180mph to keep the Shelby GT500 tracking steady. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 Shelby GT500 here in The Mustang Source.

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