You already know that the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 is gonna be insane. For one thing, just look at it. For another, it’s got a 700+ horsepower engine, making it the most powerful street-legal car Ford has ever made. To ensure that the upcoming Shelby GT500 is as crazy as it needs to be, Ford Performance designers and engineers used state-of-the-art tools to hone its design.
“We created and studied designs among the engineering teams and proved out different strategies long before we built our first prototype cars,” said Matt Titus, Ford Performance vehicle engineer. “Not only did this improve the effectiveness of the designs, it dramatically reduced the time it took to develop the GT500 — and the costs associated with that.”
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The GT500 was developed using just about every advanced tool in Ford’s arsenal, from the Ford Performance technical center in Concord, North Carolina, to the 3D prototyping systems available at the Advanced Manufacturing Center in Redford, Michigan. Ford also performed on-track tests at Virginia International Raceway, NOLA Motorsports Park, and GingerMan Raceway to ensure top-tier performance.
After analyzing 500 3D designs for optimal cooling and aerodynamics, Ford wound up with a car that delivers a maximum 550 pounds of rear downforce at speeds of 180 mph with the Carbon Fiber Track Package. With the Handling Package and Gurney flap rear spoiler, the Shelby GT500 is still suitably bonkers with 379 pounds of rear downforce.
“This all-new aero design merges state-of-the-art design and materials technology with the craftsmanship of Ford racing expertise to create the most aero-capable Mustang ever,” said Steve Thompson, Ford Performance vehicle dynamics engineer. “It’s powerful, balanced, and consistent — even over extended track runs — which works to deliver more fun and greater confidence for drivers.”
The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 promises to be one of the most exciting vehicles ever committed to the road, never mind one of the most exciting Mustangs. It’ll be available in the fall, so it won’t be too long before you can experience all that craziness for yourself.
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Richard Bazzy is the face of Shults Ford, the No. 1 Ford dealer in Pittsburgh and all of Pennsylvania. Known for his unique approach to selling cars and his penchant for cowboy hats, Richard runs Shults Ford of Harmarville, Shults Ford Lincoln of Wexford, and Shults Ford South. Visit his YouTube channel and see just how well Richard Bazzy can yee a haw.