Just one day after introducing the 2019 Mustang Bullitt at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford dropped another bomb announcing the return of the Shelby GT500 as a 2019 model.
Slated as a 2019 model, the new Mustang Shelby GT500 will be “loaded with the most venom ever,” said Ford. This includes a 700-plus horsepower supercharged V8 nestled in what we anticipate to be the most taught S550 chassis ever.
The popular GT500 model was last offered in 2014 with a 662 horsepower 5.8L supercharged and intercooled V8. More recently, Ford offered the more nimble Shelby GT350 (2015-present) with a high-winding 5.2L naturally aspirated engine producing 526 horsepower. Some say the 2019 GT500 will produce upwards of 750 hp.
Ford engineers have a passion for performance both on and off the track. GT500 embodies Ford Performance team’s motorsport expertise, with engineering designed to make the Shelby stand apart on roadways and racetracks. Features include new innovative track technologies, performance hardware, plus aggressive and functional track-tuned styling. Spy photos have surfaced on what many believe is the Shelby supercharger, showing a design that differs from past Eaton/Ford setups. This could be a key to the Shelby making big power numbers.
Ford honed its handling craft on the GT350 and GT350R, so we fully expect the 2019 GT500 to have suspension and brakes that are perfectly matched the 700-plus horsepower V8 making it a road course superstar and a suitable quarter-miler. As noted in the teaser video, there’s a low-slung splitter with an aggressive fascia, a center-vented hood, massive rubber hiding huge brakes, quad exhaust and a decklid-mounted wing for maximum downforce.
With more than 700 horsepower projected, the all-new Shelby GT500 will be twice as powerful as the original 1967 Mustang, and more powerful than any other Mustang that precedes it. While details are limited, Mustang Shelby GT500 promises to offer the pinnacle of Mustang performance with innovation, ingenuity and unmatched style.
The post Shelby GT500 Mustang Returns as the Most Powerful Street-Legal Production Ford Ever appeared first on Hot Rod Network.