The GT350 is Here
For weeks now, Ford has been teasing us with images and small clips leading up to the full reveal of the new Mustang GT350. Thankfully, the day has come and Ford definitely did not disappoint its fans.
Billed as Ford’s best-handling Mustang ever, the GT350 not only revives the nameplate of Shelby’s iconic racing car, but also it revives the spirit and track-focused nature that made the original GT350 an absolute monster on the racetrack.
Using the already quite excellent 2015 Mustang architecture, Ford dug into the very bones of the car to find out where the company could improve. Although the new Mustang was already robust, Ford’s engineers found a few areas they could improve — chiefly the engine.
Although the Coyote 5.0L V8 is an impressive performer, and the supercharged cousin that resided in the last Shelby was hugely powerful, Ford wanted to push the boundaries and build something new that would define this GT350. The company settled on a large-displacement, naturally aspirated, flat-plane-crank engine good for over 500 hp and over 400 lb-ft of torque. This would ensure the car made a huge boost in power to the regular GT, but delivered an excellent high-revving engine that only natural aspiration can provide.
However, the company wasn’t satisfied with just an amazing motor. The car needed to be the spiritual successor to the original GT350. That meant it had to handle the rigors of the racetrack.
To truly be track-focused, it needed to shed weight. Additionally, the engineers gave the car beefier brakes both front and rear to help the car stop. Ford once again partnered with Brembo to build a setup that would suit the braking needs of the car. Using six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the back with a full set of two-piece cross-drilled rotors, Ford has ensured the stopping power is adequate for how fast this car will be.
Add to that, MagneRide dampers that are a first for the Blue Oval. Here’s the full technical brief on how the dampers work.
“The dampers are filled with a hydraulic fluid impregnated with iron particles; when an electric current is passed through the fluid, a near-instant adjustment of the suspension performance can be made. With wheel position sensors monitoring motion thousands of times per second combined with other vehicle data, changes can be made to each corner independently every 10 milliseconds for optimum handling performance. This is a system designed not just to make the car handle better, but also to instill greater confidence in even the best driver.”
The entire setup is meant for an expert level of car control.
Ford states the GT350 is pure function over form. They wanted to deliver the most dynamic Mustang ever built; something that would showcase the company’s drive toward amazing performance. Just from the spec sheet and small rumble we’ve been gifted in the videos above, this car is going to be a serious performer.
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