“…the all-new Shelby GT500 takes the sixth-generation Mustang to a performance level once reserved only for exotics.”Hermann Salenbauch, Global Director, Ford Performance Vehicle Programs
In an era of fuel-efficient hybrids and autonomous driving all-electric green technology vehicles, it is a welcome relief for automotive enthusiasts to see that several manufacturers are still delivering ground shaking ultra-high horsepower performance cars. Two such examples on display at the 2019 Canadian International AutoShow at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre include the all-new 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. These two cars generate an astounding 1,500 horsepower, are street legal and are coming to a Canadian showroom near you in 2019.
“With its supercar-level powertrain, the all-new Shelby GT500 takes the sixth-generation Mustang to a performance level once reserved only for exotics,” said Hermann Salenbauch, global director, Ford Performance vehicle programs. “As a Mustang, it has to be attainable and punch above its weight. To that end, we’ve set a new standard among American performance cars with our most powerful street-legal V8 engine to date, plus the quickest-shifting transmission ever in a Mustang for all-out precision and speed.”
Two handling packages are available, one of which includes adjustable strut top mounts and a spoiler with a Gurney flap. For the truly hardcore, an available Carbon Fiber Track Package, as seen on the car on display at the AutoShow, features ultra-exotic looking exposed 20-inch carbon fiber wheels with 0.5-inch-wider rear wheels (11.5-inch), custom Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, adjustable exposed carbon fiber GT4 track wing and splitter wickers with integrated dive plane. The rear seat is deleted to reduce weight. New colors for 2020 include Red Hot, Twister Orange and Iconic Silver. Painted stripes are also available.
Carroll Shelby called the original Shelby GT500 “the first real car I’m really proud of.” That legacy continues with the third-generation 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500, the most powerful and most advanced Mustang ever. Pricing for the GT500 has not been released yet. The GT350 lists for just over $75,000 and the GT350R starts at just over $85,000 plus fees and taxes.
All of that power is being generated by a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI high-output V-8 engine, derived from the record-setting 2018 Challenger SRT Demon. It is rated at 797 horsepower and 707 lb.-ft. of torque, making the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye their most powerful, quickest and fastest muscle car. Sending all of that power to the two rear wheels is a TorqueFlite 8HP90 8-speed automatic transmission. Internal changes to the transmission include an upgraded torque converter that delivers an 18 percent increase in torque multiplication compared with the standard Challenger SRT Hellcat. 0-60 mph sprints take just in 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 326 km/h and quarter-mile elapsed times are just 10.8 seconds.
The new Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye receives new badging, including a red eye featured on the Hellcat fender badges, instrument panel, key fobs, supercharger housing, a new 220-mph red speedometer and Redeye logo splash screen.
“We designed the SRT Hellcat Challenger’s new dual-snorkel hood to focus on another key historical Mopar design element and pay homage to our past with a modern interpretation that looks even more sinister,” said Mark Trostle, the Head of Performance, Passenger and Utility Vehicle Exterior Design, FCA US. “Whenever we design a new exterior element, we work hand-in-hand with the SRT engineering team to ensure that everything we create resonates with SRT DNA, is functional and meets their performance goals.”
In racing, the old adage is, how fast do you want to go? How much money to you want to spend? That applies to the Challenger too. The base 2019 Dodge Challenger SXT has a 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 engine which generates 305 hp, 268 lb.-ft. of torque and a base MSRP of just over $35,000. The SRT Hellcat Redeye has a base price of $97,680. The car on display at the AutoShow has options that bring the price to $121,630 including freight, A/C charge and green levy. The option we like the most is the $8,000 Widebody Package which features 20×11-inch Devil’s Rim aluminum wheels, 305/35ZR20 All-Season Performance tires, Widebody fender flares and Widebody competition suspension. That is how fast you can go, if you want to spend the dough.
Article © Copyright 2019 TrackWorthy Group Ltd.; Photographs © Copyright 2019 TrackWorthy Group Ltd. and Gary Maavara
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