The Ford Mustang is generally a very decent package, a success story that has spanned six decades with over 10.2 million units sold. Every now and then, though, a Mustang model comes along that elevates the performance bar to new levels of driving thrill and engagement. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R is one such machine, a modern muscle car with a reputation as one of the best-performing Mustangs ever made by the ‘Blue Oval’ automobile giant.
The GT350R is the track-honed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. Introduced for the 2016 model year, the Mustang Shelby GT350R was a response to rival offerings like the Chevrolet’s Camaro ZL1 or Dodge’s Challenger SRT Hellcat. The 2016 iteration of the GT350 and GT350R were the first Shelby Mustangs based on the sixth-generation S550 Mustang. It featured a fully independent rear suspension, Ford’s MagneRide adaptive dampers, a six-speed manual transmission and, most crucially, an all-new V8 powerplant.
The GT350R gained several improvements with various tweaks and enhancements from one model year to the next. The final one, unleashed in 2020, was arguably the best of the lot – a befitting swansong to Ford’s magical pony car. A crucial enhancement to the 2020 model included a revised steering knuckle – taken from the GT500 – for improved steering precision and straight-line stability.
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R was a Performance Beast
The Mustang Shelby GT350R was touted as the best race-ready Mustang to hit the streets. It needed a power unit to back the lofty claim. One of the major highlights of the Mustang Shelby GT350R was its engine. Dubbed the Voodoo, the V8 was an all-new mill developed by Ford and its Ford Performance racing subsidiary exclusively for the Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R.
The Voodoo V8 was unlike any of the previous engines in a modern Mustang. The flat-plane crank V8 was a shrieking unit that revved to a staggering 8,200+ rpm without any form of supercharging or induction. At the time, it was the most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever built by Ford.
Power was rated at 526 hp at 7,500 rpm and 429 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm. This is notably less than the 650-hp Camaro ZL1 or the 707-hp Challenger SRT Hellcat. However, more than just power outputs, the GT350R was all about delivering overall optimum performance in a raw, uncompromising fashion—tons of grip, cornering savagery, steering feel, and, yes, lots of drama.
The brutal exhaust note of the 5.2-litre Voodoo V8 was a big part of the GT350R’s appeal. The raucous sound was an intense symphony that helped shape the muscle car’s formidable character as it strutted its stuff out on the race track or public roads.
No fancy self-shifters here. The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350R had a six-speed Tremec manual transmission that fed power exclusively to the rear wheels. The short throws and precise gear engagement allow for lightning-fast shifts, making the driver feel more connected to the car and enhancing the overall driving experience in a way that no automatic transmission could.
The Mustang Shelby GT350R was uncompromisingly performance-focused. There were no back seats to save weight – the same reason the car lacked an audio system, floor mats or auxiliary gauges. A massive rear spoiler helps keep the GT350R planted, and with up to 1.1G of lateral acceleration, the muscle car actually conveys the feeling of being on rails.
There’s plenty of grip to help the car slalom around corners. However, it also has a lot to offer in a straight line. The 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350R can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and blast past the quarter-mile marker in 12 seconds at 120 mph. It’s an impressive performance in a car that weighs about 3,717 lbs (1,686 kg).
As a track weapon, the GT350R is the near-perfect package. Its high-revving 5.2-litre flat-plane crank V8 engine produces a spine-tingling soundtrack and generates a substantial amount of horsepower. The GT350R’s lightweight carbon fibre wheels, aggressive aerodynamic components, and race-tuned suspension system further enhance its track prowess, allowing it to corner with incredible precision and stability.
However, it is also surprisingly docile enough for regular road use. The Recaro sport seats are comfortable enough (they could be upgraded to even more comfortable options with heating and cooling functions as part of the Convenience package). The Mustang Shelby comes standard with MagneRide adaptive dampers, allowing drivers to choose between a comfortable highway cruise or a firm, track-ready setup. There’s also a decent trunk volume and lots of interior storage.
It wasn’t perfect
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R is often regarded as one of the most exhilarating and capable track-focused Mustangs ever produced. However, like any high-performance machine, it wasn’t without its ‘flaws.’
While the 526 hp V8 is nothing to sneeze at, there’s no denying the fact that the GT350R had less power than most of its rivals. It is significant enough to be a turn-off in a community where cars are often judged based on how many horses are under the hood.
The interior was also a bit underwhelming. The hard plastic bits scattered about the cabin look out of place, especially for a car that costs north of $70,000 when new.
Gone too Soon? End of the Line for the Shelby Mustang GT350R
In 2020, Ford announced that it was discontinuing the Mustang GT350 and its track-oriented GT350R sibling. The GT350 had been in production for six years, during which time 23,574 units (GT350 and GT350R combined) were sold, making it the Shelby Mustang with the highest production numbers in history.
So why did Ford decide to end production of a successful and well-loved model? At the time, the Mustang Shelby GT500 had debuted with a monster supercharged V8 that made 760 hp, significantly more than the GT350R’s 526 hp output. Having two premium Mustangs at the top of the hierarchy made little sense, so Ford decided to sacrifice the GT350.
According to Ford, the end of the GT350 and GT350R models paved the way for the Mach 1 Mustang, a muscle car that, the company claimed, benefitted greatly from the lessons learned with the Mustang Shelby GT350.
With the 2020 model, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R saved its best for last, riding off into the sunset with its head high, having stamped its legacy as one of the best modern Mustangs.
