The 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 might come packing serious horsepower but if it’s not wearing the right rubber, all those ponies won’t mean much. The proper tires and wheels will make or break its grip, so today, Ford Authority is zeroing in on the GT500 wheels and tires that will carry the hot-to-trot pony car across the pavement.
We’ve already spotted a few prototypes out and about with different sets of rollers, but we’re focusing on what will likely be the “standard” GT500 wheels package. We first saw this Mustang Shelby GT500 out and about back in early June, sporting a handsome set of wheels with a unique U-shaped spoke pattern. They feature a dark matte finish, complementing its sinister expression. These wheels are a fresh take on the traditional five-spoke pattern and add to the Shelby GT500’s overall sporty air.
Those wheels are shod with a staggered set of Pirelli P Zero R tires measuring 305/30ZR20 up front and 315/30ZR20 in the rear. Notably, these are identical in terms of sizing when compared to the S550 generation GT500, which wore a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires. Looking carefully, we see that the sidewalls of these tires show a small patch of raised lettering that reads “Prototype Use Only,” suggesting that these are a model-specific tire developed in collaboration between Ford and Pirelli. As far as high-performance vehicles go, that’s not an uncommon occurrence.
So what makes these Pirelli P Zero tires the right choice for the 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500? Pirelli itself boasts that the P Zero line is often selected as standard equipment for high-performance models, thanks to its asymmetrical tread pattern, which help to improve braking, handing, and control. They’re also an excellent choice for wet-weather driving, making them an all-around great tire. In fact, that tread is designed to dampen cabin noise, too.
Ford Authority executive editor Alex Luft breaks down what we know about the GT500 wheels so far in the video below. Skip ahead to the 2:50 mark to check it out.
Note that the S550 Shelby GT500 wheels were clad in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires as part of the “base” wheel and tire package. However, buyers could upgrade to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires included in the carbon fiber track pack for some extra grip and improved handling. It seems like The Blue Oval is replacing the Sport 4S tires with the Pirelli P Zero units, which is an interesting deviation from prior generations. However, we did spot another prototype wearing the same wheels wrapped in Cup 2 R tires, suggesting that an upgraded GT500 wheels package will be offered for the forthcoming model.
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