Ford has revealed the Shelby GT350R Mustang at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show and the model has been dubbed as the ‘most race-ready road-legal Mustang ever built’. The GT350R was designed in the spirit of the 1965 GT350 Competition model developed by Ford and Carroll Shelby, which featured an advanced suspension setup while being lighter and more powerful.

“The Shelby GT350R Mustang is a no-compromise car in the pursuit of maximum track capability. It’sa thoroughbred street car making use of technology and ingenuity to deliver performance few enthusiasts have ever experienced” says Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang Brings the Power

The Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang is fitted with Ford’s first-ever production V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. With a capacity of 5.2-litres, this V8 thumps out 368 kW and more than 542 Nm of torque with the help of a 6-speed manual transmission and is the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ford engine ever.

The GT350R rides on lightweight 19-inch carbon fibre wheels making Ford the first major automaker to offer this technology as standard equipment. The carbon fibre wheels contribute to an overall weight reduction of about 23 kg, or 5.8 kg per wheel.

Less weight, better performance

Weight reduction was a key element in the design of the GT350R and Ford engineers removed a number of items to help reduce the overall weight of the car. Removed items include air-conditioning, sound system, rear seats, boot floorboard and carpet, backup camera and tyre sealer and inflator, as well as the exhaust resonators.

Overall, Ford says the GT350R is about 60 kg lighter than the Shelby GT350 Track Pack model. The GT350R has also been aerodynamically enhanced with the inclusion of a hood vent, front and rear belly pans, diffuser, vented wheel wells, fender vents, wheel air curtains and side skirts

Revisions have also been made to the front splitter to enhance downforce and a carbon fibre rear wing aids in improving downforce and lift balance which will ultimately make the GT350R perform better on-track.

Exclusive design touches include red painted brake calipers and red pin striping on the edges of the optional racing stripes and Shelby GT350R badging. The interior features red contrasting stitching and a D-shaped steering wheel with red center mark.

Unfortunately, the Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang will not be available in South Africa, but you may be happy to know that the 2015 Ford Mustang will arrive on our shores at the end of the year.