New Shelby GT350: More Than Meets the Eye

There’s been a lot of conversation about the Shelby GT350’s 5.2-liter V-8 that’s expected to produce around 500 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. But we’re learning that there’s a lot more than meets the eye as to why Ford is riding so high on the new higher performance Mustang. Here are four of the most notable features, as highlighted in a recent Ford press release gearing up for the official street launch of the GT350.

Suspension Unlike No Other – Focused on providing maximum performance on the track, the Shelby GT350 features special springs that spin in different directions on each side of the car for more rear-end stability. A counter-spun spring necessitated a new lower control arm design. It’s also the first Ford vehicle to offer a MagneRide suspension, which allows for a wide range of adjustments in a matter of milliseconds for premium track performance.

Amazing Weight Balance – As a key element of any performance car’s capabilities, Ford has gone to extra lengths to balance the GT350’s weight for ultimate cornering and braking. To help in that regard, the GT350 features a forged carbon fiber grille opening reinforcement that is roughly 24% lighter than an equivalent stamped-steel component.

World Class Braking – The brakes for the Shelby GT350, which are heralded as the most powerful ever for a Mustang, feature iron rotors that Fords says offer far better performance and durability than carbon ceramic brakes. Key engineering elements include two-piece rotors assembled with an offset floating-pin system that allow for improved cooling and ventilation, and six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

Powerful Grip to Play With – When it comes to tires, nobody seems to have a better rep than Michelin. But to insure that their expectations were met, Ford Performance supplied Michelin with desired longitudinal grip, lateral grip, and tire wear parameters. Michelin tire engineers formulated a unique compound of Pilot Super Sport tires for the Shelby GT350 and Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires for Shelby GT350R, both of which are designed to endure the most extreme wear and tear on the track.

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