Ford debuts the Shelby GT350 Mustang

The new GT350 builds on Carroll Shelby's original idea - transforming a great everyday car into a dominant road racer. Powering the car is a new 5.2-litre engine that is the first ever production V8 from Ford with a flat-plane crankshaft. The result is the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ford engine ever, at more than 500bhp with a torque peak above 542Nm, connected to a lightweight six-speed manual transmission. A standard Torsen limited-slip differential optimises cornering grip and straight line traction.

With the new Mustang platform 28 percent stiffer than the previous, front stiffness is further improved on GT350 with a cutting-edge injection-molded carbon fiber composite grille opening and optional lightweight tower-to-tower brace. The front track has been increased while spring rates and bushings have been recalibrated all around, with ride height reduced compared to Mustang GT.

Featuring at the front are massive 394mm rotors clamped by Brembo six-piston fixed calipers, while 380mm rotors at the rear utilise four-piston calipers. Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires make sure traction is not a problem.

Ultra quick responsiveness to changing conditions is provided by the first ever Ford application of continuously controlled MagneRide dampers, which are filled with a hydraulic fluid impregnated with iron particles. They provide a near instant adjustment of the suspension when an electric current is passed through the fluid for optimum handling performance.

All bodywork from the windshield forward is unique to this high-performance model and up to two inches lower than Mustang GT. Highlights include a fascia that has been resculpted to provide the aggressive lower front splitter with maximum pressure and a ducted belly pan delivers significant downforce. At the rear, much of the engineering was focused on creating an aggressive functional diffuser doing double duty to increase downforce and provide cooling air to the optional differential cooler.