LuxuryCarMagazine En Luxury Car Review and News
While it may not be obvious at first blush, the significance to the “GT350” nameplate attached to this latest of most crazy Mustangs comes in two parts.
It was the 1965 GT350 that was the original Shelby Mustang, the car that paved the way for some of Carroll Shelby’s craziest, legendary designs. That’s the obvious part.
2015 also marks the 50th anniversary of that car, and while the Shelby you see here is technically a 2016 model, it will be released in calendar year 2015. That means it also fits with the 50th anniversary celebration going on at Ford with regard to the latest Mustang.
Never mind all that, for now, and just look at the new Shelby. New wheels (that shroud 2-piece performance brakes and are wrapped in bespoke Michelin rubber), special carbon grille, new front splitter, functional heat extractors on the hood and a functional rear diffuser all do their part to ensure that the new Shelb is more than just window dressing on a standard Mustang. There’s also a standard torsen limited-slip differential and optinal Track Pack that adds oil and transmission cooling. Oh, and did I mention it looks glorious?
The new hood and wider front fenders, meanwhile, are crafted from aluminum and the dampers are filled with little iron pellets suspended in a magnetic field that can reconnoiter themselves for a firmer or softer ride. It’s called MagneRide, and it’s a first for Ford. A necessary first, too, because competition from GM has been doing it for a few years now.
No power figures have been released yet, but expect the 5.2L flat-plane crankshaft—claimed by Ford to be the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 they’ve ever fitted to a production model—to make over 500 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.
Inside, a flat-bottom steering wheel, Recaro racing seats (like the tires, these are special to the GT350) and chrome accents have been reduced for a better look and to avoid driver distraction if you happen to be on the track.
This is a serious car.
Expect pricing and power figures early next year.
