Ford unveils the all-new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500! | McLarty Daniel Ford

In the history of racing, there are very few names that cast a longer shadow than Shelby. Ford Mustangs bearing the Shelby name are some of the fastest and most desirable muscle cars ever built. Set to outpace them all, however, is the all-new Mustang Shelby GT500. Ford’s answer to the top-tier pony car offerings by Dodge and Chevy isn’t fooling around. With a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 producing more than 700 horsepower, it’s the most powerful street-legal Ford in the company’s hundred year history.

After months on teasing on social media and the automotive press, Ford finally took the wraps off the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, with Ford President Jim Farley using the opportunity to pay homage to Carroll Shelby.

“Carroll was always working on the next faster Shelby,” Farley said. “I think he would love this Mustang more than any other. A takedown artist, the new Shelby GT500 will surprise supercar owners with its Ford Performance racing tech, supercharged engine and visceral swagger.”

Arriving at dealerships this fall, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will join it’s more sedate but still formidable cousin, the Mustang Shelby GT350. Under the hood is a hand-built, all-aluminum 5.2-liter V8 capped with a 2.65-liter roots-type supercharger with an integrated air-to-liquid intercooler, pushing boost through high-flow cylinder heads to a short block with larger forged connecting rods, a flat-plane crank and improved oiling and cooling. A structural oil pan with a patented “active baffle” system buttons up the bottom end. Final horsepower numbers weren’t released, but Ford promises “700-plus,” which will put it on par or better with the Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat.

Sending that power rearward is a TREMEC 7-speed dual-clutch transmission which Ford says can shift in less than 100 milliseconds, and which includes driver-adjustable modes including normal, slippery, sport, drag and track, with line-lock front braking for easy dragstrip burnouts, and a rpm-selectable launch control for picture perfect quarter mile launches. A carbon fiber driveshaft sends power to a high-performance rear end, then down to Shelby-specific forged alloy rims running Michelin Pilot 4S tires. Bringing the halt at the largest front brake rotors ever installed from the factory on a sport coupe: gargantuan 16.5-inch two piece rotors, with six-piston calipers by racing provider Brembo.

Two handling packages will be available. The standard Handling Package includes adjustable struts, and a large rear spoiler. For true track performance, up the ante with the Carbon Fiber Track Package, with 20-inch carbon fiber rims, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, an adjustable carbon fiber wing out back and a functional splitter up front. You’ll have to leave the kids at home, though, as the package deletes the rear seat to save weight.

Visually, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is all about attitude, with a double-front grille opening, classic Shelby Cobra emblems, and a more pronounced hood bulge and a 31 inch by 28 inch louvered hood vent with removable alloy rain tray. Inside, there’s race-inspired trim and materials, including extensive use of carbon fiber, available Recaro racing seats with functional bolstering and cutouts for a five point racing harness, and more. Front and center is a new 12-inch full-color LCD instrument cluster, plus available premium audio by B&O Play, controlled by the 8-inch SYNC3 touch screen.

Do you have what it takes to handle the incredible power and head-turning looks of the 2020 Ford Mustang GT500? It’ll be awhile yet before this incredible machine arrives on the lot at McLarty Daniel Ford in Bentonville, but you can take some of the sting out of that wait by stopping in today to learn how our friendly finance professionals can get you pre-approved to get the keys in your hand the minute this bad boy arrives. Stop in today for a chat, and if you just can’t wait, check out our big selection of 2019 Ford Mustang models online right now!

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