Ford Provides Mustang Mugshot for 2020 Shelby GT500

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky
ford provides mustang mugshot for 2020 shelby gt500

Kudos to Ford for doing the shadowy teaser image correctly this week. While the auto industry has decided darkened teasers are compulsory for all upcoming models, some automakers provide photographs resembling Spın̈al Tap’s Smell the Glove album — so comedicaly dark, they become unintentional parodies of the now popular trend.

But Ford’s photo makes us feel like we’ve seen more of the 2020 Shelby GT500 than we actually have without giving up the goods, allowing us to feel simultaneously satiated and hungry.

It’s the clearest look yet of the forthcoming Mustang model, and our first impression is that it seems really angry about something. The grille is expansive, seemingly occupying frontal real estate from the vehicle’s nose all the way down to the aggressive frontal lip.

The coupe retains the headlights of the current-generation Mustang before the 2018 model-year refresh. While it presumably retains the new model’s upgraded tech and interior, exterior styling may have more in common with the older version of the car. Spy shots have even shown the Shelby sporting the straight taillights. (Those could have easily have been swapped — later test prototypes show an uncamouflaged rear end.)

Official details on the GT500 are understandably limited. Ford wants to hit the public with numbers when it’s ready (fingers crossed for the New York Auto Show this month) but there are leaks to give credence to its bestial nature. The motor, which has been given the Predator codename, is expected to be a 5.2-liter V8 making a rumored 700 horsepower — if not more. While the block is expected to be sourced from the GT350, the GT500 is all but guaranteed to ditch the flat-plane crankshaft for a conventional one and some forced induction.

Supercharging is the most likely outcome. American pony cars have — for the most part — eschewed turbochargers when working with larger displacement engines. Tradition also mandates that the meanest Mustangs have supercharger whine instead of the jet-like whistle of a spooling turbo. Regardless, the Shelby will be well positioned to meet or mangle the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

[Image: Ford]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

Consumer advocate tracking industry trends, regulation, and the bitter-sweet nature of modern automotive tech. Research focused and gut driven.

More by Matt Posky

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 7 comments
  • White Shadow White Shadow on Mar 16, 2018

    That's an Audi shaped grille if I've ever seen one.

  • Raph Raph on Mar 16, 2018

    Supercharged cross plane 5.2 V8 has-pretty much been confirmed along with the GT350 carrying on until 2019 when the GT500 arrives. Ford seems to be teasing 770+ horsepower and if that is true and curb weight is-under 4000 pounds the GT500 will be demon fast or faster which is pretty cool but I'm more interested in what kind of numbers it will put up against the ZL1 and how close it will come to chasing the ZL1-1LE ( I doubt the GT500 will be as sharp as track star Camaro especially with what looks like over 100 more horsepower on tap. Every chassis has it's limits and I suspect the Mustang doesn't tolerate more than the 526 it has now ever well ).

  • Kat Laneaux @VoGhost - Not getting into politics. Let me say this though. I wouldn't trust Trump as far as I can throw him. His history precedes his actions and I am so not ok with it. The devil is the master of lies, unfortunately Trump is not far behind him. The guy is so desperate to stay in office, he might as well be Mussolini, or Putin. He just wants power and to be idolized. It's not about working for the people, he doesn't care about us. Put a camera on him and he wants the glory. As I said, his actions speak louder than words.
  • ToolGuy "Mr. President, no government agency, no think tank, and no polling firm knows more about the automobile customer than us. We talk to customers every day. As retail automotive dealerships, we are agnostic as to what we sell. Our business is to provide customers with vehicles that meet the needs of their budgets and lifestyles.”• How many lies can you fit into one paragraph?
  • Spamvw Three on the tree, even Generation X would have a hard time stealing one of those.
  • ToolGuy This trend of cyan wheels needs to end NOW.
  • Kwik_Shift Interesting nugget(s) of EV follies. https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/1729212326237327708?s=20
Next