Ford Promising Supercar Performance with 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Ford is promising that the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will rocket from 0-to-100 and back down to 0 in just 10.6 seconds. Ford credits the supercharged 760-horsepower engine and huge front brakes for the feat. At this point, Ford isn’t releasing the GT500’s 0-60 time, but it should be competitive with other performance cars.

2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will have Incredibly Quick Dual-Clutch Transmission

Ford also credits its Tremec 7-speed dual clutch transmission, which can upshift in 80 milliseconds, with helping it craft the most capable Mustang powertrain ever. The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will only be available as an automatic, there will be no manual transmission produced.

“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,” said Ed Krenz, Ford Performance chief program engineer. “Effortlessly handling the 760 horsepower is our segment-first Tremec dual-clutch transmission, with an advanced control system that enhances GT500’s five drive modes to deliver a driving experience once reserved only for exotic supercars.”

Most Powerful Street-Legal Ford Ever

Ford claims that its 760-horsepower 5.2-liter V8 engine is the most power and torque-dense supercharged V8 in the world. The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will kick out 625-ft.lb. of torque. Ford Performance collaborated with Tremec to design a transmission that could handle the power, while giving the driver maximum control.

“In many ways, this is like having two transmissions in one,” said Pat Morgan, Ford Performance powertrain manager. “On one hand, it enables performance at the outer reaches of straight-line quickness with minimal torque interruption, yet provides an incredible amount of finesse and control in track environments for maximum stability and predictability at the limits of lateral acceleration.”

The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will have five distinctly different drive modes. The driver can switch from normal operation to a sport setting that quickens shift timing by about 20 percent. The driver can also select a track setting that will give a more aggressive throttle response and gear selections. There is also a drag mode that will use “over-torque” shifts for maximum straight-line power. The Mustang’s internal system will change nearly every aspect of the vehicle’s performance depending on the drive mode that is selected. Stability control, antilock braking and steering feel will all be slightly adjusted depending on the driving mode.

“Every aspect of the Shelby GT500 driving experience changes with the mode – be that the throttle responsiveness and snap of the shifts you feel in the seat of your pants, or the ‘pop and burble’ of the exhaust in performance modes. It’s a full multisensory visceral experience,” said Morgan.

Gigantic Brakes Will Stop the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500

A huge part of controlling all that power is also the braking system. The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will be equipped with the largest front brakes of any domestic sports coupe. The GT500 will sport 16.5-inch rotors. Special carbon fiber wheels will also be available. The GT500 will ride on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

Ford also isn’t saying anything about fuel economy, because it is contradictory to discuss rocket-like power and fuel economy in the same conversation. Those numbers will come closer to launch. It is exciting to talk figures like 0-100 and back to 0, and right now the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is all about excitement.

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