The Mustang Shelby GT350 Is Back and Badder Than Ever for 2019
Looks like another instant classic from Ford.
Ford set a pretty high bar with the 2018 Mustang Shelby GT350, so to make the car even faster for 2019 they had to borrow from the racing version.
Ford’s engineers started by recalibrating the MagneRide active suspension to suit the aero and tire enhancements, along with revised springs.
The aero improvements include an all-new rear spoiler with optional Gurney flap and optimized grille closeout. These tweaks came from wind tunnel development of the racing cars and upcoming Shelby GT500 model.
Together, they deliver significant rear greater aerodynamic efficiency when equipped with the new optional Gurney flap on the rear spoiler. That’s the name given the tiny lip added to the spoiler’s trailing edge that multiplies the downforce with only a small increase in drag.
To shed the additional speed power is provided by six-piston front and four-piston rear caliper Brembo brakes.
The Shelby gets new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires using a GT350-specific tread pattern and different rubber compound that provides more grip for quicker acceleration times, higher-g lateral acceleration and shorter braking.
“The new Shelby GT350 is our ultimate track Mustang,” said Hermann Salenbauch, global director for Ford Performance vehicle programs. “We’ve stuck to Carroll Shelby’s original formula for winning championships and made our Shelby GT350 even better with the latest in race-proven aerodynamics, tire and chassis technology.”
Under the hood, they left well enough alone with the 5.2-liter 526 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft. torque small block V8 mated to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission.
You’ll be able to spot a new 2019 GT350 thanks to fresh colors that include Velocity Blue and Ford Performance Blue with optional factory-painted racing stripes are available in high-gloss Shadow Black, Oxford White or Kona Blue.
Look for the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 to reach dealers early in 2019.