The 2020 Shelby GT350R is Everything You Need for the Streets

A more potent pony

Ford's most potent atmospheric Mustang has received a series of technical upgrades. The Shelby GT350R is a very focused pony car, with a powerful V8 which spins to dizzying crank speeds. For the 2020 model year, Ford has added some new bits, and some of them are handed down from the brand's immensely powerful Mustang GT500.  

Better connectivity

Inside the updated Mustang GT350R has not changed much, but it does feature some very clever new digital integration. The FordPass Connect system is present and it allows for using a Smartphone to locate your Mustang GT350R, check its fuel and oil levels, or lock and unlock it. All remotely, using an app. 

A road car - which works on the track too

Ford's Shelby cars have always been marketed at those enthusiasts of the blue oval brand, who want the ultimate driving experience. And that means that these Mustang road cars have to be race track capable too. To make the Mustang platform handle that much better in its GT350R configuration. And Ford has taken proven advancements, from its GT500 engineering team, and applied them to the GT350R.  

It changes direction - better

Ford wanted the new GT350R to turn into corners with absolute confidence. To achieve this, it borrowed the high-trail steering knuckle from its GT500 Mustang. Combined with a reconfigured front suspension geometry, steering accuracy is greatly improved. Balancing these changes is a recalibrated power steering system.  

An American V8 that rivals the best European exotic engines

The 2020 model year Mustang GT350R has not seen a change to its 5.2-liter V8 engine. And that is a good thing because this flat-plane crankshaft is a monument to American V8 high-performance engineering skill. It can run up to 8250rpm, producing 526hp along the way. Keeping the theme of mechanical purity is one only gearbox option, and that is a six-speed stick.  

The driver's car among Mustangs

Although the updated Mustang GT350R is not Ford's apex muscle car, it does offer an interesting alternative to the supercharged GT500. With the new front end geometry and better steering dynamics, you have a wonderfully linear V8 and front-axle which will turn-in much quicker than before. For those drivers who enjoy the reward of placing a two-door performance car within inches of the apex, and like steering on the throttle, the naturally-aspirated GT350R has just gotten that much more desirable.  

>>Join the conversation about the 2020 GT350 Shelby here in The Mustang Source.

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