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2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Review: The Cobra's Got Venom!

If you're a Mustang fan, the GT500 is one of those cars that you've been waiting for with bated breath. If you're not, and only remember the GT500 as an overpowered sports car with wayward handling and an unwarranted pop-culture following courtesy of films like Gone in 60 Seconds, the Shelby GT500 could very well change your opinion of the Mustang entirely. Powered by a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 with a whopping 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque, the Shelby GT500 is still an insanely powerful beast, only now it knows what to do with all that grunt. Whereas the Camaro ZL1 had asserted itself as the best-handling pony car on sale, the Shelby GT500 now blurs the lines between straight-line ability and handling prowess. In order to make it as fast as possible, it is equipped exclusively with an all-new Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which allows the 0-60-mph sprint to drop below 3.5 seconds.

Read in this review:

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Changes: 🚙 What's the difference vs 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500?

As before, the Shelby GT500 makes use of the frontal styling and headlights of the pre-facelift 2018 Mustangs, as Ford's structure-stiffening carbon-composite front subframe used on the Shelby GT500 would have had to be entirely re-engineered at great cost to work with the new front end. Ford's Carbon Fiber Handling Package is now also available for 2021 for $10,000, adding aero pieces and carbon-fiber wheels, among other items. It's basically a partial Carbon Fiber Track Package at almost half the money. Also, three of 2020's paint colors have been discontinued, namely Magnetic, Kona Blue, and Grabber Lime. In their place are three new colors: Carbonized Gray, Antimatter Blue, and Grabber Yellow.

Pros and Cons

Ridiculous power output balanced by immense grip and poise
Impressive dual-clutch transmission shifts quickly and smoothly
Approachable performance
Optional add-ons help make the Shelby GT500 even better
Usable trunk

Considerably pricier than its rivals
Extremely thirsty
Somewhat plasticky interior almost unchanged from base Mustang

Best Deals on Mustang Shelby GT500

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	Price (MSRP)
Shelby GT500	5.2L Supercharged V8 Gas	7-Speed Automatic	Rear-Wheel Drive	$70,300

Mustang Shelby GT500 Exterior

It'll be difficult to mistake the GT500 for anything but the king of the Ford stable, with swooping, angular lines, a bulging vented hood, and winglets aplenty. The front features splitter wickers and an aggressive fascia that avoids subtlety, making it obvious that downforce and channeling of the air are the main purposes of the styling decisions. LED daytime running lights feature, along with the trademark Shelby cobra insignia, while wide fenders house 20-inch wheels, which can be had in carbon fiber. At the back, a diffuser adds more presence but the most noticeable feature is the massive wing, which can be had in two sizes.

See All 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Exterior Photos

Dimensions

The GT500 shares much of its basic architecture with the regular Mustang GT but its wheelbase is 0.1 inches shorter at 107 inches. However, thanks to splitters and spoilers, its body is longer at 190.2 inches (up 1.7 inches). Height is 54.3 inches in standard form, but if you spec the Carbon Fiber Track Package, it'll be even lower at 53.7. Width is increased over the standard GT's 75.4 inches to accommodate wider tires in the bigger arches, now measuring 76.6 inches. Thanks to a heavy engine and bigger body, curb weight increases too, with a base figure of 4,171 lbs, although the optional carbon fiber bits and pieces and rear-seat delete should drop that figure somewhat.

Length 188.9 in
Wheelbase 107.1 in
Height 54.2 in
Max Width 75.9 in
Front Width 63.3 in
Rear Width 63.7 in

Exterior Colors

You're spoiled for choice when it comes to paint options on the Shelby GT500: 11 variations are available, along with the option of a black-painted roof for $695, tape stripes in Ebony, Bright White, or Kona Blue, and over-the-top racing stripes in three different colors and two finishes. Vinyl racing stripes come in the same colors as the tape stripes and cost $1,000 each, but if you want them painted on, you have to shell out a whopping $10,000. The body can be painted in Shadow Black, Oxford White, Iconic Silver, Race Red, Ford Performance Blue, Velocity Blue, Antimatter Blue, Carbonized Gray, or the shockingly bright Grabber Yellow. Those last three hues are new for 2021. Rapid Red is also available for $395 with Twister Orange costing another $100 on top of that. Last year's Magnetic, Kona Blue, and Grabber Lime have been discontinued.

Twister Orange Tri-Coat, *PRICE TO FOLLOW*
Grabber Yellow
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, *PRICE TO FOLLOW*
Velocity Blue Metallic
Ford Performance Blue Metallic
Antimatter Blue Metallic
Iconic Silver Metallic
Carbonized Gray Metallic
Race Red
Oxford White
Shadow Black

Mustang Shelby GT500 Performance

The GT500's party piece is its Predator V8 engine. With 5.2 liters of capacity, it would already be a good motor, but that wasn't enough. A 2.65-liter Eaton supercharger was added to boost output. 760 horses are sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and, to make tire warmups and burnouts easier, the car has a line-lock function. Another aid in getting the car going is launch control, and when activated, Ford claims 0-60 mph times around 3.3 seconds, which is even faster than the Camaro ZL1's 3.5 seconds. This astonishing acceleration keeps the GT500 flying through the quarter-mile with a time of under 11 seconds. If you have a road long enough, the GT500 will keep going all the way to 180 mph. However, Ford's engineers and publicity people have been adamant that the GT500 would be more than just a dragster. As we found out during our test drive of the car, the magnetorheological dampers that are fitted as standard, along with various modes for the steering, suspension, and exhaust, all allow the ultimate Shelby to be scalpel-sharp in the corners and, when you dial everything back, it's a car you can live with on the street.

Engine and Transmission

It's easy to assume that the GT500 uses an upgraded version of the GT350's unique flat-plane-crank engine - after all, the ingredients look almost identical: 5.2 liters, V8, and supercharged. That's the basic recipe for 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. However, this Predator engine uses a more traditional cross-plane configuration. If it sounds like all that power being sent to only the rear wheels is a bit of a handful, it probably is - which would explain why Ford wants you keeping both hands on the round bit in front of you. Although many have decried the decision to equip the GT500 with a seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch transmission, those who have driven the car have all but unanimously concurred that it was the right decision. The gearbox shifts with lightning-fast ferocity when you need it to, but can be smooth on the daily commute when that's what you want.

The paddles behind the wheel help you take some control, but in general, you can leave it to its own devices and it'll do the job far quicker and better than a mere mortal can manage. This is something of an achievement, as Ford has a questionable past when it comes to dabbling in dual-clutch 'boxes. To say that this one is better even than their ten-speed SelectShift auto is remarkable indeed. Even so, we can't help but wonder how much more fun we'd have with a manual. Yes, it'd probably make us markedly slower on a track, and Ford says that the GT500 is an all-out assault weapon for lap-time leaderboard dominance. Once you're in the driver's seat, however, going as fast as possible will be the only thing on your mind, and the Predator V8 will egg you on to rev it out and then blip it down again.

Engine

5.2L Supercharged V8 Gas
Transmission

7-Speed Automatic

Handling and Driving Impressions

If you're expecting this to be the section where the Mustang is described to be its typical crowd-crunching, sidewalk-scraping self, you may be disappointed. The GT500 has been thoroughly developed and rehoned to be a magnificently capable vehicle that can stick it with the best of them. While its weight plays a part in making it feel like it's not quite as fast as it could be, that same heft does give one a sense of being solidly planted. All the winglets and spoilers, along with the wide and super-sticky Michelin rubber, plus the Torsen limited-slip diff and adaptive dampers work hand-in-hand to elevate the handling of the Shelby GT500 and make for a car that can go around a corner blindingly fast.

The grip is just phenomenal, and thanks to a slight laziness lower down in the rev range, as well as a very good ESP system, the GT500 won't punish you for burying your right foot - even when you're at full lock. This is a car that keeps on soaking up all the abuse you can throw at it. Everything about the car just instills confidence to go faster and faster, and when you have to rein things back in, the magnificent Brembo brakes - with six-pot calipers and 16.5-inch discs in front - are fade-free and extremely responsive. You can feel the negative G-forces when you jump on the left pedal. Despite this, you can use this car on the road. Just set the steering to Comfort for a lighter turn-in action, set the suspension similarly for impressive compliance, and quieten the exhaust to sneak up on jaywalkers. This car is an absolute masterpiece of pony-car excellence, but despite its breathtaking abilities, the Snake will bite if you don't respect it. Maybe it is possible to maintain that Cars & Coffee rep in the GT500 too.

Mustang Shelby GT500 Gas Mileage

With a 2.65-liter supercharger that has nearly double the capacity that most city cars' engines can boast, it's no wonder that the GT500 is a less-than-viable option if you want to impress a Prius-driving eco-warrior. Its official EPA figures show that it returned 12/18/14 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles - which means that while you'll be forking out on gas instead of dinner for two, you have to pay a gas-guzzler tax on purchase as well. By comparison, the Camaro ZL1 is significantly better, with figures of 13/21/16 mpg on the same cycles. On the plus side, life is about taking in the moment just as much as it is about feeling the rush of adrenaline, and with the GT500's 16-gallon gas tank, you'll be taking the moment in roughly every 224 miles or so.

Fuel Tank Capacity

16.0 Gallons
Fuel Economy

City/Hwy: 12/18 mpg

* 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Fastback

Mustang Shelby GT500 Interior

A common bone of contention among pretty much every journalist who has ever sat in any of the current Mustangs is its interior. It's a somewhat depressingly average place to be, with hard plastics aplenty. Ford's only solution, as ever, is to offer you the option of carbon-fiber dressings, but that's really just salve on a tumor when the GT500 costs over $70,000. The Sync 3 infotainment system works decently but doesn't feel particularly special. The standard six-way power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation go a way to helping improve the feel of the cabin and are comfy enough, as do the well-placed dual-zone climate-control buttons and good seating position, but the best part of this interior is the 12-inch digital driver-info display. Paired with grippier (but optional) Recaro seats, the screen helps you feel like you're in a racecar for the right reasons.

See All 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

For some strange reason, the GT500 comes standard with two rear seats. As usual, only Tyrion Lannister would be able to fit there, but he wouldn't have a cupholder for his wine goblet. For this reason, we'd take the option to delete the rear seat. After all, a 760-hp sports coupe is never going to be a useful family car. The front seats are far more comfortable and accommodating, with plenty of headroom and legroom. Getting in and out isn't too much of a chore, although taller individuals will have to duck. Optioning the Recaro seats makes getting in and out a little trickier, thanks to their aggressive side bolsters, but if you're of average build, that hugging effect pays dividends in the corners. Bigger individuals will likely find them too confining, however. Regardless of the seat choice, the view out is similar to other Mustangs, with decent visibility all-round, although the bulging hood does make it ever-so-slightly more difficult to place the passenger side of the car.

Seating capacity

4-seater

Front Leg Room 44.5 in
Front Head Room 37.6 in
Rear Leg Room 29.0 in
Rear Head Room 34.8 in

Interior Colors and Materials

As usual, plenty of hard dark plastics with fake aluminum trim feature throughout the cabin of the Mustang. In this top-of-the-line GT500, however, you do at least get leather seats as standard, trimmed in Ebony with contrasting Smoke Gray stitching. The dash gets similar treatment, with the steering wheel featuring an imitation suede and a gray center marker. The optional Recaro seats are also trimmed in leather, with faux suede, Smoke Gray accents, and Miko suede inserts. This option automatically deletes the rear seats though. To help break up the wash of dull plastic, you can spend $1,000 on a carbon-fiber instrument panel as a standalone option.

Mustang Shelby GT500 Trunk and Cargo Space

Since the GT500 is based on the regular Mustang GT, it has the same trunk space. Thus, if you do take things further with that dinner date, you can one day justify the GT500 being a fixture on your driveway as a relatively practical vehicle. The 13.5 cubic feet falls behind the storage volume of your average Dodge Challenger, but in comparison with the more similar track-focused Camaro ZL1's paltry 9.1 cubes, the GT500 is cavernous. If that isn't enough space for you, you can fold the rear seats down in a 50/50 split - assuming you didn't opt to delete them. Opting for the Bang & Olufsen audio upgrade is to be avoided if you need space though, as this puts a subwoofer in the trunk.

In the cabin, you get a pair of cupholders up front, a center-armrest bin, and adequate door pockets, along with a decent glovebox for small items.

Mustang Shelby GT500 Infotainment and Features

Features

With almost obsessive attention to performance-enhancing detail, the GT500 isn't exactly built to rival the latest Maybach when it comes to creature comforts, nor to give Tesla a run for its money with autonomous driving tech. It is a pretty sparse car when it comes to the usual features that manufacturers offer these days, but then again, a Maybach doesn't have Ford's Track Apps. This feature allows you to monitor things like acceleration and braking performance, as well as G-forces. Also standard are MagneRide adaptive dampers, a valved exhaust system, line-lock and launch control, and a 12-inch digital driver display. More common features include a rearview camera, auto headlights, six-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry. Blind-spot monitoring is optional, as are heated mirrors.

Infotainment

Ford's trusty Sync 3 infotainment system returns for duty in the GT500 with its eight-inch touch display and a nine-speaker audio system as standard. The system features a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a pair of USB ports, and a CD player. SiriusXM satellite radio is also included, but navigation is optional as part of the Technology package. This package also upgrades the sound system to a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup with a subwoofer in the trunk - helpful for when the quietest exhaust mode just isn't enough to drown out the supercharged V8.

Mustang Shelby GT500 Problems and Reliability

The 2021 Ford Mustang as a whole is free of recalls thus far and has an overall rating of 86 out of 100 from J.D. Power, with 88 for quality and reliability. With the Predator's insane power output, we'll have to wait a while for customers to use the car consistently to determine if there are any long-term issues lurking.

A three-year/36,000-mile bumper to bumper warranty covers the new GT500, as does a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. No complimentary scheduled maintenance is offered.

Warranty

Basic:
3 Years \ 36,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
Corrosion:
5 Years \ Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles

Mustang Shelby GT500 Safety

The 2020 Mustang received an IIHS rating of Acceptable in the driver-side small front overlap crash test, but attained the agency's best possible score of Good in all other crash tests. Similarly, the NHTSA gave their best score of five stars out of five overall.

Key Safety Features

The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is an incredibly focused and single-minded vehicle with minimal safety equipment. The wing mirrors house a blind-spot-magnifying portion and you get a rearview camera. Beyond that and the airbags, you're on your own unless you specify the Technology package. This adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. You do also get SOS post-crash alert, but there's little to stop you from getting in a crash in the first place - besides the massive brakes and stability control. Should the inevitable happen when your 760 rampaging horses do eventually gallop into the undergrowth, at least you and your passenger will be protected by dual front, front side, curtain, and knee airbags.

Verdict: 🏁 Is the 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 a good sports car?

Looking at the safety and comfort features of the Shelby GT500, the answer to the above question is a resounding no - it's not a good car. There's almost nothing to prevent you from drifting into oncoming traffic or taking out someone in your blind spot. However, if the question is rephrased with the designers' and engineers' vision in mind, the answer is a resounding yes. The 2021 Shelby GT500 is a technical marvel. Despite its relative simplicity, it has the power as well as the grip to be an absolute titan in the sports-coupe segment. This car will, without a doubt, be a collector's item one day, much like the GT350; but, unlike that car, you don't have to be an obsessive wannabe racer to appreciate what it can do. The GT500 allows for dim-witted driving so long as you don't take too many chances, and for the keen driver who knows how to deal with such bombastic power, it's just as rewarding - even without a DIY transmission. A future icon? Probably. A performance pièce de résistance for all drivers? Definitely.

🚘 What's the Price of the 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500?

The official list price of the 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is $72,900, but you still have to add another $5,400 for gas guzzler tax and another $1,195 for destination and delivery. It's only available in a single trim, so that's it, right? No. If you want the fastest GT500, you're gonna have to splash out on the Carbon Fiber Track Package for another $18,500. Along with some other add-ons to make the car more hospitable for daily use (navigation, blind-spot monitoring, a better sound system), along with some pricey paint and stripes, it's easy to make the GT500 clock over $105,000.

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Models

The GT500 is a $72,900 car only available in a single trim, although you can enhance its capabilities by adding packages. It is equipped with a supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V8. The powerplant sends 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of twist to the rear wheels exclusively through a seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch automatic transmission.

As standard, you get leather seats that are heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable. You also get dual-zone climate control and Ford Sync 3 infotainment with an eight-inch touchscreen and nine speakers. The sound system can be upgraded to include a total of 12 speakers from Bang & Olufsen as part of a package that also adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and navigation. Other features included with the car are MagneRide magnetorheological adaptive dampers, a valved adaptive exhaust system, a 12-inch digital driver info display, a Torsen limited-slip diff, line-lock, launch control, and digital gauges that keep track of key performance metrics through Ford's Track Apps. Keyless entry is also possible through an app on your smartphone, but most buyers will be more interested in optional features like adjustable top shock mounts, carbon-fiber wheels wrapped in more extreme Michelin rubber, and a larger GT4 carbon rear wing, all of which are part of an optional track pack.

See All 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Trims and Specs

Additional Packages

Three handling packages are offered with the GT500 and they cannot be specced together. The first is the Handling Package at $1,750. It adds a catch can, Gurney flap for the rear wing, and splitter wickers, the latter three all placed in the vehicle for the owner to have installed. The second is the $10,000 Carbon Fiber Handling Package that adds everything the Handling Package does, plus 20-inch black-painted carbon-fiber wheels and factory-installed adjustable top strut mounts. The third, more extreme package, is the Carbon Fiber Track Pack. It adds everything the Carbon Fiber Handling Package does, but the 20-inch wheels feature exposed carbon and are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires; there are also Recaro seats, and a sprinkling of carbon on the interior. It also deletes the rear seat, as well as the princely sum of $18,500 from your bank account. The last, more comfort-oriented package offered is the Technology package. This one costs $3,000 and adds navigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a B&O 12-speaker audio upgrade, and heated wing mirrors.

For ultimate exclusivity, you can opt for hand-painted racing stripes over the top in Oxford White or Kona Blue, but at $10,000 it's a huge expense.

🚗 What Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Model Should I Buy?

In terms of getting the most aggressive and focused performance out of the GT500, there's no question that the Carbon Fiber Track Package with its weight savings and more aerodynamic body addendums is top of the list for making your GT500 the ultimate street-legal daily-drivable Mustang. However, it's a very expensive package for an already pricey car, so if the budget does not stretch that far, the new Carbon Fiber Handling Package offers most of what you'll need at almost half the price. It's the one to go for. We'd stick with the original seats with their heating and ventilation, and rather spend a bit of extra cash on the Technology Package, adding navigation, blind-spot monitoring, and an audio upgrade. In this form, the car would remain as comfortable as possible, without compromising much in the way of outright performance.

Check out other Ford Mustang Styles

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Comparisons

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe Chevrolet

Ford Mustang GT Coupe Ford

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 vs Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe

When comparing lesser versions of these two pony cars, the Camaro is almost always the one that comes out on top as the better handling and less compromised of the two. With the introduction of the GT500, that perception is likely to change. Despite having a bigger, 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the ZL1 produces 110 hp less than the GT500. It also has a smaller trunk, and is, therefore, less practical than the 'Stang. However, not all specs favor the Mustang. The Camaro costs more than $9,000 less, can be had with either a six-speed manual or a ten-speed auto, and gets better fuel economy. It also has a bigger gas tank and can be had in convertible form. Overall, it's going to be a tough choice between the two, and you'd have to take both for a test drive to see which suits you better, but based on the way the GT500 manages to be both track-ready and road-friendly, we're slightly biased towards the Mustang.

See Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe Review

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 vs Ford Mustang GT Coupe

In terms of in-house competition, there seems to be nothing that can touch a Shelby GT500 in terms of excitement, and if you're a hardcore racer, nothing less will do. However, if you're not, Ford offers an intriguing alternative in the shape of the normal GT Premium Coupe with its 460-horsepower naturally aspirated Coyote 5-liter V8 engine. It might not be as powerful and the 0-60-mph sprint is worse, but 4.3 seconds is hardly tardy. On top of that, you can have a manual. Dial the GT up to maximum with the $6,295 Performance Package and you get goodies such as sports suspension, special handling-enhancing bracing, a heavy-duty radiator, and upgraded brakes. It's a Shelby GT500 Lite, but outfitted like this, it costs around $47,000. Oh, and did we mention you can have it in a manual..? We'd be very tempted. The Shelby GT500 is still the better, hardcore choice, but if you opt for the GT Premium with Performance Pack, you won't feel short-changed and your wallet will breathe a sigh of relief.

See Ford Mustang GT Coupe Review

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Popular Comparisons

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2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Video Review

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Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 News

2015 Mustang Cobra 0 60

Source: https://carbuzz.com/cars/ford/mustang-shelby-gt500

2015 Mustang Cobra 0 60