2016 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R First Ride

[Express]

See the link below for video.

2016 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R First Ride

Autoblog
Greg Migliore
2 days ago


Ford Performance Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi was in China when he received an interesting text. Half a world away his team was shaking down the newest Shelby Mustang at Grattan Raceway in rural Michigan. The news was encouraging. The GT350R was keeping pace with a Porsche 911 GT3, even nosing ahead of it during time trials, while the GT350 was running about even with a 911 Carrera S and a Chevy Corvette Stingray.

"That was a good text to get," he recounted a week later as we chatted alongside the track at Grattan. On this scorching summer day, there were no Porsches or Stingrays to be found, but we've come to preview the track-focused GT350R. Ford drivers are at the wheel, and we're riding shotgun. After several hot laps, we're left with a predictable observation: The GT350R is wicked fast and quick as hell.

Much of this is thanks to the 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8 that pumps out 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. It's the most powerful naturally aspirated road-legal engine in Ford's 112-year history. To help the engineering process, Ford bought a Ferrari 458 Italia and ripped apart its V8. The GT350's engine ended up being 10 pounds lighter. For the coup d'grace, Ford's mill also revs to a Ferrari-like 8,250 rpm.



As formidable as all of that looks on paper, it sounds even more imposing in real life (see the related video below). The engine in our GT350R crackles, growls, and opens up to a flat-out roar as we explode onto the track, gripping the door pulls to calm our nerves. Grattan is a challenging, twisty course. The corners are tight, and the elevation changes quickly. At one point, our test driver aggressively tackles a curve and we're briefly airborne. During the first stint, we reach about 140 miles per hour.

But the GT350R isn't about straight-line speed or pure power. It's designed to get around a track as rapidly as possible. That means Ford took the 'base' GT350 – which should be more than at home on the track itself – and re-tuned the suspension and aerodynamics. There's a larger front splitter and rear carbon-fiber spoiler. The 19-inch carbon-fiber wheels are stiffer and lighter than comparable aluminum rollers, and they're wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 high performance rubber. Additionally, Ford ripped out the back seats, air conditioning, trunk floorboard, stereo, backup camera, and anything else that wasn't necessary. Buyers looking for a slightly softer experience can opt for the electronics package, which adds some of this stuff back. In its most basic form, the GT350R weighs 3,650 pounds, which is 130 pounds less than the GT350 equipped with the track pack.

Our test car has air conditioning and a fancy touchscreen, but otherwise this pre-production model is indeed raw. We even pass on lunch (though Ford has a massive grill going) until after our track time is done. Like the smell of BBQ that drifts toward the track, riding in the GT350R only whets our appetite. We can't wait to drive it, and as this brief preview demonstrates, it should be worth the wait.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/autos...i?ocid=u220dhp

[cram_it_frog]

I was speaking to the main sales guy from Broken Hill for yesterday they had the mustang launch Thursday he said they have 2 sold and 4 on order from locals

delivery date November

[Herrod Motorsport]

I drove the new 350 a month ago whilst working at ford racing in Detroit
It's a special car that unfortunately won't be coming to Australia

[BluXR6T]

Originally Posted by Herrod Motorsport

I drove the new 350 a month ago whilst working at ford racing in Detroit
It's a special car that unfortunately won't be coming to Australia

I am sure you guys could build a similar Mustang

[Herrod Motorsport]

Originally Posted by BluXR6T

I am sure you guys could build a similar Mustang

no this is a very unique car .
But we do have some pretty good things happening that we can't talk about at the moment .

[BluXR6T]

Originally Posted by Herrod Motorsport

no this is a very unique car .
But we do have some pretty good things happening that we can't talk about at the moment .

Sound interesting. By the way nice display at Motorex last weekend.

[galaxy xr8]

It really is a shame that we won’t see this here in Australia.

[rancidpunx]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

It really is a shame that we won’t see this here in Australia.

Disappointing Ford, very disappointing.

[Batmobile]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

Disappointing Ford, very disappointing.

+1
Why ?????? . It's build , why not share the love ??? For heavens sake Ford .

[FalconXV]

One Ford ;) it's a big middle finger to us.

[Wretched]

We may not get the car here (wonder what the price would be vs how many would shell out?) but I am still impressed by Ford for making such a beast.

[FPV GTHO]

We'd be lucky to get 1 allocated if they did this RHD, they're making a ridiculously small number of GT350R's. Nobody is missing out as it would likely go to someone like Lindsey Fox, or worse Clive Palmer.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

We'd be lucky to get 1 allocated if they did this RHD, they're making a ridiculously small number of GT350R's. Nobody is missing out as it would likely go to someone like Lindsey Fox, or worse Clive Palmer.

Actually we are missing out-could picture Gina Rinehart in this driving around her mines- sideways on throttle....

[Polyal]

And they would probably get an auto....its an amazing car, that BOSS302 engine was nuts a few years ago but Voodoo is off the chain.

Makes you wonder if that engine will go into anything else? Or if we cant get the car and we crate the engine?

[FPV GTHO]

They filtered some of the BOSS302 parts/tech into the updated Coyote engine, so it's always a possibility this is just a glimpse of the future. 3.5l Ecoboost has already taken the place of 6.2l BOSS in Raptor so unless they intend to replace Coyote and the 3.5/3.7 family of V6's with a small V8 that can be Ecoboosted, they could plan to have this as the sole V8 in the not too distant future.

[Polyal]

I see your theory but can you imagine the bloodshed in the US if they dropped a "stock" V8? Just couldnt ever see it happening...even if it was slower than a 3.5 EB

[FPV GTHO]

It is a bit bleak so we can only hope they see the appeal of a baby V8 to replace the bigger V6's.