On September 10, 2021, Ford Philippines expanded the local Mustang lineup with a new beast. It’s called the Mustang Shelby GT500, and it is the model’s new top-of-the-line model.
The 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (US model shown)
Just like many Shelby models before it, the new Mustang Shelby GT500 is inspired by racing and classic muscle cars but it gets a few modern touches as well. And of course, it has some mechanical goodies that are absent on the regular GT500.
Exterior
On the outside, the Mustang Shelby GT500 retains roughly the same outline as the normal Ford Mustang. Then again, it gets a far more aggressive-looking front fascia thanks to a sharp pair of LED headlamps. The wider grille is also flanked by a wider pair of side air-intakes and a larger intake below the said grille.
Check out that big ol' wing
From the sides, the macho but sporty look is further enhanced by a set of 20-inch high-gloss black aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot 4S tires. The rear also comes with LED taillights with sequential tri-bar turn signal lights, an aggressive rear diffuser, and an imposing rear spoiler.
And of course, it gets some details that hark back to the Shelby models and performance muscle cars from yesteryears. Specifically, its hood is equipped with self-centering hood pins, as well as a pair of vinyl racing stripes that stretches along the length of the car.
The black-colored wheels and the red Brembo calipers really ties up the look of the car
It can also come in a variety of colors. These include Antimatter Blue, Carbonized Gray, Grabber Yellow, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Velocity Blue, Race Red, Twister Orange, Iconic Silver, Rapid Red, and Performance Blue.
Interior
Besides its downright intimidating exterior, the Mustang Shelby GT500’s interior is also packed with features. For starters, its instrument panel gets a Shelby-exclusive aluminum trim. The driver and front passenger are then provided with Recaro leather-trimmed bucket seats with manual adjustability. And of course, don’t forget the Shelby logo on the center of the leather and Alcantara-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel.
The Mustang Shelby GT500's cockpit
Occupants are then kept cool with a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system. It also features a push-to-start button, remote staring, as well as an electronic parking brake.
Tech and Safety
While brusque and sporty, the Mustang model in question also gets techy. For entertainment, it is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The driver of this Mustang variant is also given a 12-inch LCD digital display that comes with voice recognition.
The Mustang Shelby GT500's headunit
Safety-wise, the Mustang Shelby GT500 is equipped with electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, dual front airbags, knee airbags, side airbags, side-curtain airbags, among others.
Engine and Performance
As a true-blue muscle car, the heart of the Mustang Shelby GT500 is a V8 engine. Specifically, it is a 5.2-liter supercharged “Predator” cross-plane crank V8. At the maximum, it can produce up to 760 horsepower and 847 Nm of torque. Power is of course sent to the rear. The transmission is then handled by a seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch gearbox that can be controlled manually using paddle shifters.
For added stability and responsiveness, the said model also comes with the Magneride Damping System. It can adjust to different road conditions and will provide the right amount of balance and stability on the track.
A peek into the Mustang Shelby GT500's engine bay
Speaking of the track, the Mustang Shelby GT500 is also kitted out with launch control. Moreover, it also gets a Torsen limited-slip rear differential and Brembo brakes.
The new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is now available at all Ford dealerships nationwide. Regarding Mustang price Philippines 2021 - 2022, this model's price start at Php 7,760,000 but if you want the car in Twister Orange, you’ll have to fork out an additional Php 15,000.
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