The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 certainly has a diverse arsenal of sales weapons at its disposal. It has carefully sculpted exterior styling that makes the 2019 GT350 we reviewed look like a tame boy scout, a revamped interior that promises to seamlessly marry functionality and comfort, and the pony csr with attitude even comes to the muscle car wars with a 760 horsepower supercharged V8 that puts it in the same neighborhood as the Dodge SRT Hellcat Challenger Redeye and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Amid all the info we already know about this beast, pricing was one of the few key details that remained veiled under a layer of secrecy. Ford has checked that item off its to do list by announcing the final pricing tree for the latest pinnacle of Mustang performance.
Base models start at $73,995 which includes the $2600 gas guzzler tax, and helps the GT500 be $12,460 more expensive than the 2019 Shelby GT350. But that’s just the start of things though, add the Carbon Fiber Track package to the mix and the GT500 surpasses $90,000. But how is this possible you might be asking? It all boils down to some of the optional equipment that the GT500 brings to the table when fully equipped. For example, a $1500 handling package adds adjustable strut top mounts, removable splitter end plates, and a rear mounted gurney flap. Meanwhile, a separate $3000 technology package infuses the cabin with goodies such as an upgraded audio system, rain sensing wipers, blind spot monitoring, navigation, and even special puddle lamps that project the Cobra emblem on the ground (a move out of Lincoln’s playbook.) The show stealer however is the Carbon Fiber Track Package that has played a key role in defining the GT500 ever since it originally made its debut back in January. The package asks buyers to relieve a whopping $18,500 from their wallets, but it includes goodies such as carbon fiber wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, an adjustable rear wing, a rear seat delete, and adjustable front dive planes.
Naturally, the 5.2 liter supercharged V8 is standard equipment, and it produce 760 horsepower, and 625 lb-ft of torque. Unlike its competitors, no manual option is available for the transmission, with all GT500s being launched with a rotary operated seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission. Some of the GT500 fans we spoke with have passionately voiced their distaste at this decision, but Ford reps claim that the new automatic shifts much faster than the manual, and that it also helped enhance the amount of interior space that the car is able to offer buyers. Eleven different colors will be offered including the eye catching Grabber Lime hue that made its debut on St. Patrick’s day. A stripe package is also on hand, and a blacked out roof can be equipped to help give the car more of a sinister vibe. Power operated leather seats with microsuede trim are the standard thrones in the GT500, but optional manually adjustable Recaro sport seats (standard on the Carbon Fiber Track Package) are fully shod in leather, and both seats can be adorned in any color as long as it is black. The equally attractive standalone option is the carbon fiber dashboard, but like the seats, it is included as standard issue in the Carbon Fiber Track Package.
For comparison, the GT500’s closest competitor the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is slightly less expensive at $64,695, but only offers 650 horsepower from its supercharged V8. The ZL1 is also facing an uncertain future as well, with a recent report hinting that broader Camaro production could be entering its final phases before the model is retired once again possibly due to slumping sales. Meanwhile, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye starts at $73,440 and makes more power than the GT500 with 797 horsepower on tap. However, unlike the Camaro which can match dance moves with the GT500 on the race track, the Redeye is heavier, and this bulk translates into it being more of a straight line missile versus a track carving sweetheart. It will be interesting to see how the GT500 fares against the duo when pricing for stand alone equipment is eventually released, but even with just the technology and Carbon Fiber Track package added, it causes the Mustang to swell to $95,000, with other extras potentially causing it to breach the $100,000 barrier. Ford says a fully functional online configurator will be online soon, and hopefully that will help answer some of our lingering questions in this particular department.
Ford claims that the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will also go on sale this fall, and we look forward to having the chance to go behind the wheel of this particular breed of serpent soon, to see if it not only eclipses its track focused little brother, but also whether the GT500 can truly deliver on its promises of becoming not only the undisputed king of the Ford Mustang lineup, but also a benchmark setting entry in the broader muscle car wars.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.