2019 GT500: Drive Modes and a Top Speed of 214

New information from dealership computer system says the hyperspace Mustang could be a beast on the drag strip and on the salt flats.

Last week, we brought you what is believed to be the first look at the engine of the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Rumors suggest that the new Shelby ‘Stang will be powered by a supercharged 5.2L V8. An image showing a supercharger housing with “5.2L” and the familiar Shelby snake emblem have reinforced those rumors.

The image was followed up by a pair of engine wiring diagrams from the Ford dealership service computer system showing that same supercharged V8 and today, we have even more details from the dealership network. While poking around in the Ford Dealer Service Portal, the folks from The Truth About Cars discovered a few other interesting bits of information, including details on the GT500 Drive Mode system, details on new ceramic brake pads and a speedometer verification chart suggesting a top speed of 214 miles per hour.

2019 GT500 Drive Modes

Based on the dealership service system information, the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will have a slightly different Drive Mode package than the Mustang GT. Like the 5.0L-powered models, the new Shelby will have Normal and Sport modes, but rather than Snow/Wet, the GT500 has Weather mode and rather than Track, the GT500 has Drag Strip mode. There is also mention of a Launch Control mode and while it seems that would be a feature of Drag Strip mode, perhaps Launch Control will be available outside of Drag Strip mode as well.

Rumor has it that the 2019 Mustang GT500 will be an all-around performance car, not just a straight-line missile, but the inclusion of Drag Strip mode could allow the new Shelby to get away from the starting line with the most force possible.

Ceramic Brake Pad Warning System

According to the Dealer Service Portal information, the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will have ceramic brake pads with a unique monitoring system that displays in the gauge cluster. Since these pads won’t use the same sensors as the Mustang GT pads, the company added the dash indicator to make sure that GT500 owners don’t make track passes with worn ceramic pads.

Some people have taken this to mean that the 2019 GT500 will have carbon ceramic rotors as well as ceramic pads, but based on what we have seen thus far – only the ceramic pads are a sure-thing. However, those odd wheel covers in the image above would make sense if they are hiding carbon ceramic rotors.

Top Speed – 214?

Finally, the Ford Dealer Service Portal included a chart for the technicians to perform a verification process for the new GT500. This chart includes “command” ratio starting at 10-percent and 19-21 miles per hour. When you get up to 100% command, the speed range is 194-214 miles per hour with a mean number of 200.

214 miles per hour seems like a lofty goal for the 2019 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, but if the rumors are true and the power levels do creep up near the 800-horsepoweer mark, it seems conceivable that this could be the fastest muscle car to ever roll off of a factory assembly line. Reaching speeds like that would require some serious aero work and unique gearing, but with the rumored 10-speed automatic transmission – 200 should be within reach for the new GT500.

Source: The Truth About Cars

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

Facebook   Twitter