The 2020 Ford Shelby GT5000 will roll out soon and from what we can tell – it will pack a punch! The spoiler photos that splashed across the web a few months ago show that the design is still a combination of classic Shelby with a beefed-up look especially when it comes to the nose and hood. But, the big part of the story, as per released specs, is that the GT500 is will pack 760-horsepower via a 5.2-liter V8 engine.
According to the numbers from Ford, the new Shelby GT5000 is the most “power- and torque-dense supercharged V8 in the world.” Let that soak in for a second! That kind of power, combined with a Tremec 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the massive front brakes, means a thrilling 0 to 100 MPH and back to Zero (0-100-0) in less than eleven seconds. Ford indicates that the front brakes that make that kind of stop possible are the largest among domestic sports coupes.
Ford has yet to release the 0-60 or 0-100 specs, but some quick work by car gurus estimate the 0-60 MPH speed to be around four seconds or less depending on which driver mode is selected. The selections will range from driving around town to hitting the track – aka “sports mode” – and there will be five selections in all.
The dual-clutch transmission is possibly the unsung hero when it comes to the 0-100-0 specs. After all, the gearbox has to be able to handle that kind of load. The new Shelby will feature a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that upshifts in 80 milliseconds. The driver has five drive modes to choose from which works with the car’s active chassis system. The result? You can hit the drag strip, salt bed, road course, oval track, or head to the grocery store in style – with power and control.
This performance makes it sound like a European supercar. According to Ed Krenz, Ford Performance chief program engineer, that may just be the whole point as this street-legal Ford is the most powerful ever built by the company.
“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,” stated Krenz.
Back to the body, which is notably similar to recent Shelby GT editions, the design team obviously wanted to keep the classic look dating back to the original Mustangs. But they made some small changes that give the 2020 version an intimidating look. The nose has an aggressive style that sweeps quickly towards the windshield with a larger humped appearance.
There’s a reason for the look of the front end – cooling. The new 2020 Shelby will feature an air-to-water intercooler placed on the top of the supercharger assisted by six radiators for more efficient engine cooling. The curves of the front end of the Shelby also help with aerodynamics.
Speaking of aerodynamics – it’s part of the overall look. The 2020 Shelby is streamlined and sleek with lines that start at the front of the car and melt towards the back. The body is designed to maximize downforce – dependant on the driver mode setting. It’s all wrapped around a body featuring carbon fiber wheels with Ford Performance-spec Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
Owners of the 2020 Ford Shelby GT5000 will obviously have one of the most potent domestic supercars ever produced backed by one of the most iconic names in the business. Not all of the information and specs about the car have been released, but it’s already set the bar for what domestic, and European, sportscars should be.
