Mustang-based 2020 Shelby GT500 unwrapped

ABU DHABI: The most powerful street-legal American muscle is here. Based on the Ford Mustang, the 2020 Shelby GT500 comes with some monstrous characteristics. It packs serious power and promises to perform outrageously on multiple terrains, including track, road, and even drag strip.

What makes it so special? Starting with the exteriors, the 2020 Shelby GT500 looks powerful from the outset. Very similar to the GT350, the new GT500 design has been inspired by fighter jet planes. It comes with aerodynamic looks featuring a lot of components from the kitty for improved air management and downforce.

The new Shelby GT500 gets dual front grille, bordered corners, tiny headlamps, wider front fenders, and 7-spoke black alloys. The dual design of the air intake at the front enables the engine to get cool pretty quickly. More than 50% of air is allowed to enter in. Not just this, there are a total of six heat exchangers inside to maintain an optimal temperature.

Additionally, it gets a bigger rear spoiler and sharp aerodynamic components that not only help in reducing the overall weight of the car but also in keeping the drag coefficient down. To reduce weight further, you get an additional option to switch to carbon-fibre 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Shelby GT500 gets Recaro racing seats, 12-inch digital instrument cluster, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system with 12 speakers as standard. There is an option to switch to power-adjustable seats that come with suede highlights. Moreover, you find carbon fibre trim pieces across the cabin. The door panels get suede finishing.

A significant improvement has been done to the chassis as well. The Shelby GT500 sports next-gen MagneRide active suspension, electronic power steering, and light-weight coil springs. The alloys wear rubber sourced from Michelin, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, and Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Under the flesh lies a powerful hand-built 5.2-litre V8 engine that is completely made up of aluminium, mated to a new 7-speed DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) from Tremec ditching the old 6-speed manual gearbox. There is a supercharger along with a flat-plane crankshaft placed intelligently to lower the centre of gravity. More updates done to the engine include bigger connecting rods, improved lubrication and aluminium cylinder heads.

The GT500 churns out a whopping power of 700 PS and can travel from nought to 97 kmph in just 3 seconds or so. There are different drive modes available for the driver to switch depending on the terrain and climate, including normal, sport, weather, drag and track.

In the US, the new 2020 Shelby GT500 will be made available by the end of this ongoing year.