There’s a 2020 Shelby GT500 with more than 700 horsepower just around the corner, but Ford has also taken the time to update the “baby” Shelby GT350 so it can be even quicker and more fun around the track. Having gone over all of the updates in store for the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350, we are now bringing you a real-world photo gallery from our drive sessions over at the M1 Concourse racetrack in Michigan.
The changes applied to the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 are mostly mechanical, with the pony car’s suspension, aero, chassis, and tires being significantly updated for improved performance. The following updates were made to the car:
- All-new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire package with a tread pattern designed specifically for the car, with special FP (Ford Performance) designation on their sidewalls.
- A recalibrated MagneRide suspension, where the front dampers have been stiffened by 10 percent and the rear softened by 6 percent
- The Brembo brake system was retuned to accommodate the new suspension setup.
- All GT350 now come standard with the rear sway bar from the GT350R. The bar itself has a 24-mm diameter and a 3.6-mm wall thickness.
- All-new carbon fiber rear spoiler for reduced drag with optional Gurney flap for increased downforce.
Mechanically, the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 continues using the same 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8 (code-named Voodoo), good for 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. This engine’s trademark feature is its ability to rev all the way to an 8,250 redline. The only available gearbox for all GT350 units is a Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual.
We drove the car hard on the track and we can confirm that the changes applied to the 2019 Mustang Shelby GT350 do, in fact, improve its ability at the track. Now with more grip from the new tires and a softer rear suspension that favors the contact patch upon corner exit, driver confidence is observably increased, allowing for quicker lap times and more smiles per hour.
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