Don't Panic About the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Being Automatic Only
Count me among the dismayed that Ford’s new 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
I speculated that Ford made that choice because no human can shift gears faster than the DCT, and because Ford maybe couldn’t find a manual that can handle the estimated torque of the GT500, which is sure to be a high number.
Turns out, I was right.
Motor Authority reports that Ford doesn’t have an in-house manual that can handle the ‘Stang’s power, and it won’t turn to a supplier because of the quick shifts offered up by the DCT. Development costs of a manual that could handle the torque also played a part.
That doesn’t mean a manual will never be available. According to Road & Track, Ford is willing to saddle those development costs if consumer demand is there. Also — the DCT probably won’t migrate to the GT350.
So, types, Ford will bring a clutch pedal to the GT500 if you vote with your wallet. If you want to use your left foot while driving your 700-plus horsepower Mustang, you know how to make your voice heard.
[Image: Ford]
Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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At the high end DCTs get better performance than a human shifting a transmission. At the low end CVTs get better gas mileage. 20 years from now most cars will be electric with no transmission at all and possibly driving themselves.
My new Bullitt Mustang has rev-matching downshifts and, dammit, I like it. Is this a gateway drug to DCTs?
I personally own a 2017 GT350 and will be staying with it. I love this car and not interested in the GT500.
If truly care only about performance than get this car lol! https://www.tesla.com/roadster?redirect=no