- The forthcoming Shelby GT500 is rumoured to get a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
- The test mule hides an aggressive body kit along with a heat extractor vents on the hood and a rear wing.
- The supercharged 5.2-litre V8 will be putting out more than 700bhp.
Ford is readying the new iteration of the Shelby GT500. The American carmaker has already teased the new GT500 in a video and single teaser image. Now, we got our first sighting of the Shelby GT500 being testing near Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
The test mule, according to our spy sleuths, had a dual-clutch automatic transmission. It could be the Getrag seven-speed unit from the Ford GT. But there are rumours of a 10-speed automatic as well. In either case, the transmission will be coupled to a supercharged 5.2-litre flat-plane crank V8 motor which now will be putting out more than 700bhp. This will help the GT500 to rival the Dodge Challenger Hellcat’s 707bhp output.
The polka dot camouflage failed to hide the aggressive bodywork of the GT500. Up front, there are lip splitters and massive air vents. The grille has the iconic Shelby snake insignia as well. But the biggest change can be seen on the hood, where a bulging heat extractor now sits. On the side, there are air diffusers along with sporty side skirts. At the rear, there is a fixed spoiler which is similar to the outgoing model. The rear diffusers also appear to be redesigned to house the quad-exhaust set-up.
When it arrives, the all-new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will face competition from other highly-tuned American muscle cars like the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. According to reports, the new GT500 will be priced north of 50,000 USD. We expect the new GT500 to break cover in coming few weeks.
