OVERVIEW
Consider the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 as a mobile amusement park. With eye-watering force, the massive 760-hp supercharged V-8 propels the coupe, and its incredible grip induces feelings of ecstasy, nausea, or both.
The rear-drive-only coupe has a quick-shifting automatic transmission that handles gear changes while its exhilarating exhaust note delivers the music. Not only is the Shelby GT500 the most potent Mustang ever, but it is also the most potent road vehicle Ford has ever produced.
It is still a Mustang at heart, so in addition to being able to soil people's underwear on demand, it also functions as a daily driver. The GT500's performance is improved when the Carbon Fiber Track Pack is chosen, but it also costs about a quarter as much as the base Shelby. Some owners will find it more beneficial to use that money to purchase gasoline for the beast's insatiable thirst or to cover the incoming wave of speeding tickets.
What Has Changed For 2022?
Ford is presenting the current model with a limited-production Heritage Edition in recognition of the fact that 2022 will mark 55 years since the creation of the original Shelby GT500. It comprises a Brittany Blue paint job with the option of Wimbledon White or Absolute Black twin stripes from stem to stern and is essentially an appearance package.
The price for the commemorative appearance is $2140, but that is for vinyl stripes; hand-painted stripes cost an additional $10,000. Ford extends Shelby's color palette by including Code Orange. Want to purchase a GT500 for even more money? Additionally, a small number of GT500KR (for King of the Road) models with over 900 horsepower will be made.
2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: Engine And Performance
The Shelby GT500 has the most potent engine ever fitted to a Ford production vehicle hiding behind its intimidating face. The appropriately dubbed Predator engine is a 5.2-liter V-8 supercharged engine that generates 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. Sorry, the most powerful Mustang isn't available with a manual transmission.
That incredible power turns the rear wheels through a perceptive seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. We've tested the summer tires that come standard on a GT500 and the incredibly grippy tire that comes with the Carbon Fiber Track package, which also comes with 20-inch carbon fiber wheels. The latter was tested alongside the 797-hp Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the 650-hp Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE.
Although Shelby's base wheel and tire arrangement during testing actually produced faster acceleration (getting to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds as opposed to 3.6), the upgraded rolling stock helped to increase cornering grip (1.13 g as opposed to 0.99) and shorten the stopping distance from 70 mph (142 feet versus 150).
At the most recent installment of our yearly Lightning Lap event, the Shelby GT500 demonstrated that modern muscle cars can produce faster lap times than more exotic vehicles, such as the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and Lamborghini Huracán Evo.
The ultimate Mustang makes daily driving even more thrilling with its soil-your-shorts acceleration and surprisingly agile handling, considering its two-ton curb weight. This is true even when it isn't tearing up drag strips or scaring six-figure sports cars at the track.
2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: Interior And Comfort
The interior of the Shelby Mustang is quite similar to that of its mainstream rival. The GT500 provides choices like carbon-fiber instrument panel trim and more aggressive, Shelby-specific Recaro front buckets in addition to a broad list of desirable standard amenities, despite sharing a similar architecture and having comparable passenger and cargo space.
The latter has a six-way power driver's seat, a 12.0-inch fully digital gauge cluster that can be customized, dual-zone climate control, and leather-trimmed front seats with heated and cooled cushions.
Customers who prefer front buckets that are more supportive but lack the aforementioned features can get Recaros with leather trim. Another option for Shelby's standard aluminum dashboard trim is a piece with exposed carbon fiber. Rear seats can be removed if you want to decrease weight, however, doing so needs the incredibly pricey Carbon Fiber Track option.
2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: Connectivity
The Shelby GT500's infotainment system features an 8.0-inch touchscreen that works with Ford's Sync 3 software, much like the one found in the standard Mustang. Physical knobs can be used to adjust the stereo's volume and tune in addition to steering-wheel control and voice commands. Regards, Ford.
A subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are desirable standard connectivity capabilities. Drivers who wish to add their beats to the supercharged V-8's thunderous soundtrack can purchase a 12-speaker B&O sound system.
2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: Pricing
The price of the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 ranges from $80,790 for the GT500 and $127,890 for the GT500KR.
Which One To Purchase?
Not only is the Shelby GT500 the most potent Mustang, but it's also the priciest. Even without the $18,500 Carbon Fiber Track Pack, which adds 20-inch carbon fiber wheels, aerodynamic upgrades, stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and other weight-saving measures, we are very impressed with the GT500.
Therefore, we would only suggest a few possibilities. The Handling package offers increased aero with splitter wickers and a Gurney flap, as well as front suspension changes. Although the optional Recaro front seats lack power adjustments and heated and cooled cushions, they are more aesthetically pleasing and supportive than the standard seats.