Last year, Ford received feedback from customers in regards to its Shelby GT350. People called for the car to be easier to drive and not as much of a powerhouse as the GT500.

This makes sense. People who opt for the GT350 are less likely to use the car on the track and less likely to be experienced in leveraging all the car’s performance features. Ford absolutely heard its customers and aimed to deliver a more accessible version of the GT350.

For the 2019 model, Ford worked with racecar driver Billy Johnson to make the car powerful yet accessible. Offered in a six-speed manual with a 5.2L naturally-aspirated V8, this Mustang pumps out 526 horsepower.

Can it be your racecar and your daily commute vehicle in one car? Ford thinks so.

A Race-Ready Engine in a Driver’s Car

The 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 has improvements to make it better for both daily street driving and track performance. It incorporates an impressive amount of standard features and continues to sport a muscular body.

Its tires have been upgraded to Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires on the car’s 19-inch wheels. These tires are similar to the Michelin Pilot Sports on the previous generation Mustang, but with more stickiness (Ford says the tires are fine in the rain but not recommended for snow and ice).

The chassis on the new Mustang has been adjusted (stiffer in the front, softer in the back) as well as a newly-programed Brembo brake system, which supports the driver when making those tight corners on the track.

The front and rear end of the Mustang features improved aerodynamics, specifically for track driving. All of these design features come standard on the Shelby GT350 but if you log a lot of track miles, you might consider upgrading to the handling package Ford offers for an extra $850. 

What’s New for the Interior? 

From the outside, the look is new, but the sound of that naturally-aspirated V8 certainly hasn’t changed. But what about the interior?

The Shelby GT350 features an 8-inch touchscreen, a mix of updated and classic Mustang styling with optional leather-trimmed bucket seats. 

Critics of the new Mustang say the interior contains more plastic than it should for a car of this price, although for the performance upgrades, buyers who plan on spending the majority of their time on the track might not be complaining. 

Cheaper Than Its Competition 

The 2019 Shelby GT350 is cheaper than its competition (including the Camaro and the Challenger), starting at $59,140, which is only a few thousand more than the previous generation model. The GT350 could be the right choice if you aren’t planning on racing all the time, but want something that has more capabilities (and style) than your standard commuter vehicle.

Source: Motortrend