Ever since we caught wind that the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is potentially on its way to revival, Ford Authority has kept an ear to the ground for the high-performance pony car. We’ve spotted a few prototypes of the 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 undergoing testing, including one showing off a track-ready roll bar and another with a set of sporty wheels that are just as big as those of its predecessor. We’ve spotted another clue that a signature Shelby feature is making a comeback: carbon fiber wheels.
Recent spy shots show a 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 clad in seven-spoke 20-inch carbon fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The wheels are missing the center cap, but are otherwise intact, showing off the signature carbon fiber hashing unobscured.
Notably, these wheels feature a different design than other multi-spoke wheels we’ve seen on other 2026 Ford Mustang prototypes. They’re also different than the optional carbon fiber wheels currently offered on the Mustang Dark Horse, which are five-spoke rollers priced just shy of $9,000.
It’s unclear whether the carbon fiber wheels spotted on this 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 prototype will be standard, offered as a standalone option, or included as part of a package. The latter wouldn’t be surprising – after all, a set of 20-inch carbon fiber wheels was previously included in the Carbon Fiber Handling Package on past Shelby GT500 models. That package was discontinued after the 2021 model year, but if the Shelby GT500 nameplate is revived, a similar bundle could make a reappearance, too.
Aside from carbon fiber wheels, the 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 features unique bodywork that helps it stand out from the S650 herd. It sports massive air intakes, a lower chin spoiler, widened front fenders, a ventilated hood, and a retouched bumper with a diffuser and quad exhaust tips.
As for power, a leaked United Auto Workers memo from earlier this year indicates that a line is being added at the the Dearborn Engine plant for production of a powerplant simply referred to as “Legend.” That could signal a revised version of the supercharged 5.2L V8 found in the S550 GT500, as well as the current Ford F-150 Raptor R.
Comments
do the carbon fiber a light and power heavy Mustang is very much needed
You guys keep going all in on this being the new GT500. You really did not learn your lesson on the whole “mid-engined Mustang” thing that turned out to be a transaxle. Leave yourself some wiggle room but you want to be FIRST.
Oh and those “new carbon fiber wheels” ARE THE EXACT SAME wheels that came on the 2020-22 GT500 CFTP—the EXACT SAME so what’s more likely: they’re left over wheels that they are using on the prototype new Mustang to calibrate for new carbon wheels that will have a different design that has not been seen OR they are the exact wheels that will be on the new car? Far more likely it is the latter. But keep betting on GT500, you’ll most likely have more egg 🥚 on your face with all the deep contacts you purport to have. Proceed. Just have a towel ready to clean up the mess.