2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Long Term Test Wraps up in Somber Fashion
After many miles and lots of smiles, it’s time to say goodbye to this long-term 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 tester.
There’s no denying that the S550 generation Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is – at least for now – one of the very best, if not the best, pony cars ever to grace this earth. It’s the most powerful for certain – at least until the GTD launches in the coming months – with 760 horsepower coming from its supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V8, flowing to the rear wheels via a dual-clutch gearbox for exhilarating performance. Thus, we certainly can’t blame the folks at Edmunds for being upset over the fact that their long-term 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 test recently came to an end.
This particular 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is equipped with a few options including Twister Orange paint, the Technology Package, the Handling Package, and Recaro seats, but Edmunds passed on the Carbon Fiber Track Package due to concerns over trashing those pricey wheels. At the time, it cost $81,280 in total, which seemed like a lot then – but in today’s inflated world, it’s a pretty darn great bargain in retrospect, given its high level of performance.
From there, Edmunds subjected their GT500 to all kinds of driving scenarios – they commuted to work in it, took it on road trips, drag raced it, and participated in a few track days as well. Thanks to the MagneRide adaptive dampers, the newer GT500 actually rides quite nicely, and makes for one heck of a solid all-rounder, which surprised more than a few folks on the Edmunds staff.
“I am genuinely shocked by how comfortable this ultra-high-performance GT500 feels around town,” said Cameron Rogers, news manager. “The ride isn’t any rougher than a typical, run-of-the-mill GT. And I think it deals with potholes and cracked pavement better than any model with the GT Performance package. Throw this thing into Normal mode, where the dampers are in a road-friendly setting and the exhaust is tamed, and the Mustang feels more pleasant to drive than most other muscle and sports cars. Astonishing for something so track-oriented.”
On the track, the S550 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 proved to be “unflappable,” a car that’s both highly capable and easy to drive, as well as forgiving. There are some downsides, of course, including the noisy cabin, and the car’s inability to track straight on grooved highways. One staffer noted that the GT500 has “the turning radius of a dump truck,” and others pointed out that the interior is basically just a gussied-up version of the base car, complete with all the cheap plastics. Fuel economy is obviously bad, and tires are expensive to replace, but otherwise, this was a pretty flawless ownership experience – and most people aren’t going to drive theirs in this manner, anyway.
“The Shelby GT500 is the ultimate Mustang,” Edmunds concluded. “With the exception of the crazy exotic Mustang GTD, no other Mustang is likely to come close to the performance offered by the GT500. While it’s certainly not for everyone, especially when painted a ridiculous color, it’s difficult to argue against its bang for the buck and surprising usability. It’s already a legend and already missed.”
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