The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT Offers Insane Horsepower for its Value
As much at home in your neighborhood as it is on the race track, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 isn’t your typical muscle car. If its aggressive good looks don’t turn heads, the sound of its powerful engine will. With its rich racing heritage and precision handling, the Mustang Shelby GT350 is a car serious enthusiasts can appreciate.
What does the Mustang GT350 have under the hood? Is it a good car for the price?
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350’s “Voodoo”
The engine under the hood of the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is code-named Voodoo, and it’s not hard to see why. This special 5.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 gets 526 hp, 429 lb-ft of torque, and it revs up to an impressive 8250 rpm. The growl of this engine is distinct and as Car and Driver explains, it sounds more like a Ferrari than a Ford.
That engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox that’s precise in moving from one gear to the next. The clutch is described by Car and Driver as buoyant and effortless with feedback that doesn’t put a cramp in your left leg when you navigate city traffic.
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 features a MagneRide adaptive suspension that’s finely tuned for dynamic performance. It can handle race track speeds and cornering with solid brakes.
The best part? The ride isn’t the jarring experience you might expect with such a beast of a car. It offers a smooth ride that works perfectly for daily driving.
That being said, if you’re a serious fan of the racing aspect of the car, you may want to consider the GT350R instead. The ride is less comfortable on the road than the regular GT350. That’s to be expected since it’s equipped with a firmer racing suspension, lighter carbon-fiber wheels, and aerodynamic elements that add to its overall efficiency and performance.
A sublime balance
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 offers a sublime balance between ride and handling according to Edmunds, even when you’re pushing it to the limits. It may still be a Mustang at heart with its value and practicality. But it also has the aggression of Shelby and is only eclipsed by the GT500. According to Edmunds, the GT350 among the best Mustangs ever built.
When it comes to a daily vehicle, the GT350 performs admirably well. The growl of the engine announces its power but its powerful brakes, steady grip, and nimble steering make it a pure pleasure to drive. The chassis is solid and the electrically-supported steering turns in a smooth performance.
Imperfect roads can cause some reverberation and the responsiveness takes some getting used to. That’s not a lot to complain about.
More horsepower per dollar
According to MotorTrend, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is worth $117.18 per horsepower. They called it their No. 1 pick based on the sheer power of that Voodoo engine.
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 starts at $60,335 which is pricey. But a vehicle at that level of performance isn’t going to fall into the affordable category. As Car and Driver points out, there are a few ways they can make the GT350 better, but you still get an incredible car for that price.
When compared to sports cars of similar size and capabilities like the Porsche Cayman S and the BMW M4, the GT350 holds its own. It beats both of its peers in price by almost $10,000. While the quality of build is higher with its German peers, it has a powerful performance to make muscle car fans and serious car enthusiasts more than happy.
For those looking for a sports car to provide them with virtual racetrack performance that’s incredibly fun to drive, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is hard to beat.
