The North American International Auto Show launched today, January 14th, in Detroit. Among the many upcoming 2020 models, Ford premiered the new Mustang GT500.
It’s the baddest, fastest and most powerful Ford vehicle to come out of the production line, ever. Although Ford has not released official numbers, they promise more than 700 hp, acceleration of 0-60 mph in the mid three seconds and quarter mile runs under 11 seconds.
That’s plenty of competition against the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.
At the heart of that promise sits a 5.2-liter aluminum-alloy V8 engine. It’s equipped with a new 2.65-liter roots-type supercharger. The supercharger and air-to-liquid intercooler are inverted in the engine compartment in order to lower the center of gravity.
The GT500 has a smaller engine than its competitors, so it will be interesting to learn what tricks Ford is employing to create all that power.
A first in muscle cars is the addition of a 7-speed, dual-clutch Tremec automated transmission, likely inspired by the Ford GT (road version). The gearbox is capable of shifting in 100 milliseconds – faster than you can raise your fingers from the paddles.
A carbon driveshaft takes the massive power to equally massive 20-inch, 11.5-inch-wide wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Inside the front wheels are 6-piston Brembo brake calipers with huge 16.5-inch discs – 20% larger than the Mustang GT350.
The suspension geometry is upgraded from the GT350. The car is equipped with MagneRide magnetic dampers which allow for several modes of stiffness and lighter springs.
The exterior of the 2020 GT500 is even more aggressive with big, impactful features like the razor-sharp front splitter, and hood vent needed to cool six heat-exchangers hidden in the engine compartment. Other prominent features are the wide wheel arches and rear-spoiler.
Inside, the car looks like Mustangs we’ve already seen. Some new options include clear-coated carbon fiber trim and Recaro sports seats.
The 2020 Ford Mustang GT500 comes with a standard package, as well as two performance packages.
The Handling Package offers a spoiler with an actuated Gurney flap, as well as adjustable strut top mounts.
The Carbon Fiber Track Package comes with a number of upgrades including:
- Carbon fiber wheels
- Stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
- Carbon fiber rear wing from the Ford Mustang GT4 race car
- Removed rear seats
Hermann Salenbauch – Global Director of Ford Performance vehicle programs said in a press release:
“As a Mustang, it has to be attainable and punch above its weight. To that end, we’ve set a new standard among American performance cars with our most powerful street-legal V8 engine to date, plus the quickest-shifting transmission ever in a Mustang for all-out precision and speed.”
That’s pretty much all the information that’s currently available. The car is expected to show up in dealerships sometime during the fall with a price tag above $50,000. Even though there’s plenty of time until then, we can enjoy the spectacular video and images published by Ford.