Driving the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 feels like commanding a modern-day Goliath. This machine isn’t just a car; it’s Ford’s most potent street-legal creation to date, a testament to the legendary Shelby Cobra lineage. Packing a staggering 760 horsepower, the GT500 delivers the raw power expected from a top-tier Ford performance vehicle. Its V8 symphony is exactly what Mustang enthusiasts crave, offering blistering straight-line speed and razor-sharp track handling. However, the true marvel of the GT500 lies in its surprisingly refined street manners, making it more than just a track monster.
Underneath the aggressive exterior, the GT500 retains the core essence of a Mustang. The Recaro seats offer exceptional comfort, and the inclusion of standard rear seats adds a touch of practicality. Creature comforts like air conditioning are present and effective, while the interior layout and materials maintain a familiar Mustang feel. And yes, the trunk remains generously sized, capable of handling everyday needs – or perhaps something a bit more clandestine.
Having previously enjoyed the spirited performance of a 2014 3.7-liter Mustang, stepping into the GT500, with its power more than doubled, was an exhilarating prospect. The previous GT500 iteration, produced in 2014 alongside my own Mustang, boasted a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 churning out 662 horsepower. The 2020 model impressively surpasses this, delivering nearly 100 additional horsepower from a smaller, more advanced engine. This leap in power underscores the relentless innovation driving the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra legacy.
Unpacking the Performance Specs
The heart of the 2020 GT500 is a formidable 5.2-liter cross-plane crank V8 engine, force-fed by an inverted Roots-type 2.65-liter supercharger, complete with an air-to-liquid intercooler system. This engineering marvel allows Ford to confidently claim 760 horsepower and a monstrous 625 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s impressive 7,500 rpm redline is particularly noteworthy for a supercharged configuration, showcasing its racing pedigree. Power is channeled to the rear wheels via a lightning-fast seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch transmission, ensuring seamless and rapid gear changes.
Ford states the GT500’s top speed is electronically limited to 180 mph. However, the acceleration figures are truly breathtaking. The GT500 launches from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.3 seconds and conquers the quarter-mile in a blistering 10.7 seconds. Even more astonishing is its 0-100-0 mph time of just 10.6 seconds, highlighting the car’s phenomenal braking capabilities alongside its sheer acceleration. These figures solidify the GT500’s position as a true performance icon within the Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra family.
Behind the Wheel: Street, Drag, and Track Impressions
The day began with a pairing alongside another automotive journalist, a seasoned veteran with an impressive history of reviewing high-performance vehicles from McLaren to Ferrari and Bentley. When she requested to take the GT500 for the initial drive, I readily agreed, trusting her expertise behind the wheel of such a powerful machine.
Almost immediately, she demonstrated the GT500’s raw power, inadvertently spinning the tires leaving the parking lot and momentarily losing control. This served as an immediate reminder: the GT500 can be surprisingly docile, but respect and a steady hand are paramount, especially when the tires are cold. It’s a car that demands driver awareness and skill, a hallmark of the Shelby Cobra legacy.
Ford’s press drive route led us onto expansive Nevada highways, granting us a substantial 45-minute stretch with the GT500. The journey to Mt. Charleston allowed for cruising speeds between 65 and 70 mph, where the engine settled into a peaceful hum below 2,000 RPM. In these conditions, the GT500 exhibited remarkable composure, a testament to its dual personality.
My preferred driving configuration quickly became Sport+ mode, with both steering and exhaust settings also dialed into Sport. While these settings lean towards the more aggressive side, the convenience of quickly switching the exhaust to “Quiet Mode” proved invaluable during a police encounter.
Even in a subdued silver-gray paint, the GT500 is far from inconspicuous. The gaping front fascia and prominent rear wing ensure it commands attention wherever it goes. This visual aggression is a clear indication of the power lurking beneath the surface, a visual echo of the original Shelby Cobra’s bold styling.
Despite its track-ready DNA, the GT500 is surprisingly comfortable in commuter driving. Its gearing allows for relaxed cruising, yet it never feels mundane, even at lower speeds. However, its true nature is unleashed in “sport mode” and “track mode.” Engage these settings, and the GT500 transforms into a snarling beast, eagerly awaiting the command to unleash its full potential. A tap of the accelerator prompts the transmission to downshift aggressively, and the car instantly morphs into the monster it was born to be.
Initially, I pondered the absence of a manual transmission in the GT500, but the Tremec dual-clutch is undeniably exceptional. It delivers rapid, precise shifts, consistently selecting the desired gear at the precise moment. This advanced transmission technology contributes significantly to the GT500’s blistering performance and ease of driving.
In previous S550 Mustang experiences, I often struggled to maintain lane centering, perceiving the car as somewhat heavy and spatially ambiguous on the road. While the GT500 retains a substantial feel, the prominent hood scoop surprisingly aided in lane positioning, providing a visual reference point that enhanced driving confidence.
With immense power and Ford’s vibrant color palette options, responsible throttle management is crucial. However, the most challenging aspect of driving the GT500 on public roads was adhering to posted speed limits, especially the restrictive 45 mph zones.
To fully explore the GT500’s performance capabilities without legal constraints, Ford provided access to a quarter-mile drag strip.
Drag Strip Domination
Ford’s claimed 10.7-second quarter-mile time for the GT500 is achievable under optimal conditions, and even under less-than-perfect circumstances, the car’s performance is staggering.
To contextualize the drag strip experience: Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s elevation is approximately 2,000 feet, and the testing day was hot. My runs occurred during the final media wave, after the cars had endured repeated runs from numerous journalists. My personal drag racing experience is limited, and the track utilized a different timing system than I was accustomed to. Furthermore, it was my first time utilizing the GT500’s line-lock and drag strip modes.
Despite these factors, my initial pass yielded an 11.8-second time, followed by 11.6 seconds, and culminating in an impressive 11.23-second run at 130 mph. These times, achieved with limited experience and less-than-ideal conditions, underscore the GT500’s inherent drag racing prowess.
Recently I got to get behind the wheel of the 2020 #ShelbyGT500
Posted by Nicole Ellan James on Monday, November 18, 2019
In drag mode, engaging launch control is intuitive: apply the brake with the left foot, floor the accelerator, and release the brake. While there’s a momentary pause before launch, the subsequent acceleration is brutally forceful, generating G-forces comparable to a jet takeoff. The GT500’s launch control system is expertly engineered for consistent and maximum acceleration.
Prior to each run, Ford encouraged the use of the line-lock feature. This system selectively applies the front brakes, allowing the rear wheels to spin freely for tire warm-up. Beyond its entertainment value, line-lock effectively prepares the rear tires for optimal grip during launch.
Even after multiple drag strip passes and tire-smoking burnouts, the GT500 exhibited no signs of heat soak or performance degradation. It was evident that the car was engineered for sustained high-performance driving, capable of repeated launches without complaint.
Mastering the GT500 Burnout: Line-Lock Activation
To initiate line-lock, ensure the steering wheel is straight and engage drag strip mode. This mode prompts a confirmation acknowledging the potentially risky nature of line-lock. Navigate to “Track Apps” using the Shelby snake button on the steering wheel.
Scroll to “Line Lock” and hold the OK button until a spinning wheel icon appears on the digital gauge cluster. Release OK and firmly press the brake pedal. A subtle initial brake pressure facilitates setup, allowing for increased force when prompted.
The brake pedal will vibrate and push back, followed by another prompt to press OK. Once activated, you can release the brake pedal entirely and fully depress the throttle for up to 15 seconds. Despite initial skepticism, the car remains stationary, executing a dramatic burnout while securely held by the front brakes.
Track Prowess: Road Course Performance
My driving background leans towards road racing, with more track seat time than any other driving discipline, excluding daily commuting. The notion of a Mustang as solely a straight-line performer is outdated. On a road course, the GT500 is a formidable weapon.
Several 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500s were equipped with roll bars and six-point harnesses for track testing during the media event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). LVMS presents a challenging and technical circuit, incorporating sweeping corners, a decreasing radius turn, and a chicane.
On the straights, the GT500’s power is addictive, accompanied by an intoxicating exhaust note. Massive brake calipers and 16-inch front rotors inspire late braking into corners, allowing for smooth weight transfer as the car decelerates to cornering speeds.
However, the weight of the V8 engine and supercharger over the front axle is perceptible when cornering. This sensation is inherent in front-engine, high-horsepower cars, and requires a nuanced driving style on track.
The Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires deliver exceptional track grip. They provide so much adhesion that the driver experiences significant lateral forces, even with a securely fastened harness. These tires are crucial to unlocking the GT500’s track potential.
Given limited track time and personal experience with the GT500, I opted to ride as a passenger with Ford Performance Vehicle Dynamics Engineer Steve Thompson for a hot lap demonstration. Observing professional drivers on track is invaluable for understanding a car’s limits and optimal driving techniques.
Thompson exited the pit lane and immediately unleashed the GT500’s full power. The car roared through corners, its immense grip just managing to translate the engine’s output into forward motion.
With Thompson at the helm, the GT500’s track performance was truly remarkable. Cornering grip was otherworldly. Thompson expertly maintained the car at the edge of its grip envelope, navigating turns with tires protesting audibly.
My initial impression of the GT500 was already positive, but witnessing its capabilities in the hands of a professional driver elevated my appreciation significantly. It’s undeniably fast, but in expert hands, it becomes ferociously quick.
“But does it drift?” I inquired amidst exhilarated laughter as the hot laps concluded. Thompson’s response was to floor the accelerator on the straightaway and aggressively initiate a drift through the first sweeping corner. The answer: it “sort of” drifts. It exhibited some resistance, potentially due to the selected driving mode or residual traction control intervention.
Final Verdict: The Apex Predator of Mustangs
Having driven nearly the entire 2020 Mustang lineup, the inevitable question arises: which one is the best, or which one would I choose? The answer is nuanced and depends entirely on intended use and driving preferences.
Comparisons between the GT350 and GT500 are frequent, but fundamentally misdirected. Beyond their shared Mustang lineage, they are distinct machines. The GT350 is an analog sports car, characterized by its magical suspension and aerodynamics, high-revving flat-plane V8, and engaging six-speed manual transmission. The GT500, while capable on track, excels as a drag strip weapon. It may not possess the same analog feel as the GT350, but its sheer performance is undeniable.
In terms of overall performance envelope, the GT500 is remarkably versatile, capable of delivering exhilarating performance in diverse driving scenarios. For those unable to acquire a GT500, or deterred by its EPA-estimated 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway fuel economy, the EcoBoost High-Performance Pack Mustang offers a compelling alternative. While significantly less potent than the GT500, it captures some of its essence and provides ample performance for enjoyable driving experiences.
My brief encounter with the GT500 left an indelible impression: a ferocious, loud, and tire-smoking memory etched in my mind. It’s a modern embodiment of the Shelby Cobra spirit, blending raw power with surprising refinement.
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