Fastest Ford Mustangs: Quickest Accelerating Ponies Ranked
If you’re a muscle car shopper looking for a Ford Mustang, you probably have your own wishlist. You might want the most fuel-efficient model possible or the cheapest V8 variant you can get. However, if you want the quickest Ford Mustangs, the EcoBoost isn’t as fast as the top performers, like the Shelby GT500 and Mach 1. Here are the fastest current Ford Mustangs ranked.
- Shelby GT500
- Mach 1
- Mustang GT
- Ford Mustang EcoBoost
What is faster, a Dodge SRT Hellcat or a Shelby GT500?
Although the Shelby GT500 is a sharpened track-day weapon and the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye is more of a blacktop bully, enthusiasts naturally compare them. However, the Shelby GT500 bests the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in terms of outright acceleration. In Car and Driver’s testing, the standard wheel and tire-GT500 returned a blistering 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds. In contrast, the Hellcat Redeye *only* managed a 3.7-second run; impressive, considering the barbaric curb weight of the Mopar.
Of course, Ford and Shelby American didn’t intend for the GT500 to be a drag strip staple. Instead, they built a track star wearing a Mustang suit. Better yet, the limited-release GT500KR packs over 900 horsepower, and the ultra-exclusive CODE RED package takes the GT500 to the next level. That’s a level with over 1,300 horsepower; it’s the most powerful Shelby Mustang ever.
Is a Ford Mustang Mach 1 faster than a GT?
The Ford Mustang Mach 1 filled a gap in the modern pony car’s performance lineup. Ford discontinued the Shelby GT350 and its high-revving 5.2L Voodoo engine in 2020. Fortunately for Blue Oval fans, the marque filled the chasm with another naturally aspirated, V8-powered option with performance figures well above the GT.
Specifically, Hagerty tested the Mach 1 against the Nissan Z Performance and Toyota GR Supra, and the Mach 1 returned a faster time than a Mustang GT. A new Mach 1 managed to hit 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds with a quarter mile time of 12.1 seconds at 120 mph.
Is the Ford Mustang GT one of the quickest accelerating cars in the lineup?
With the GT350 out to pasture, the V8-powered Mustang lineup is a bit thin, but the GT is still one of the quickest pony cars you can buy. Ford says a post-face-lift S550 generation GT with a Performance Pack hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. However, you’re looking at the low four-second range without the Performance Pack. Still, it’s a performance bargain, considering its starting price of $39,440. That’s around $15,000 less than the track-focused Mach 1.
How fast is a Ford Mustang EcoBoost?
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost is the cheapest, most efficient car in the marque’s lineup, but it’s also the slowest. In testing, the EcoBoost hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. While that doesn’t sound fast compared to the Mach 1’s 3.8-second time, it still constitutes a performer at its price point. With a starting price of $28,865, very few new cars will outperform the EcoBoost for similar money.
Which pony car should you buy?
If money is no issue, the Shelby GT500 is a razor-sharp track car with pedigree. However, the Mach 1 has GT350 performance credentials with a throwback style. Plus, with the potential to hit 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds, the Mach 1 is a difficult car to overlook. Scroll down to the following article to read more about sports cars like the Ford Mustang and Toyota GR Supra!
