2017 Ford Shelby GT350: Not Your Typical Mustang
The original Ford Shelby GT350 was a high-performance Mustang derivative that galloped onto the scene in 1965. Exhilarating and exciting, the Gen-1 GT350 powered up with a 289 cubic-inch (4.7-liter) engine that delivered 271 horsepower – some of the engines were modified to reach 306 horses. Fast-forward to 2017, and the engine size has grown to 5.2 liters and the horses have swelled to 526.
The original Shelby Mustangs were built by Shelby-American from 1965 to 1968; by Ford from 1969 to 1970, and were re-launched by Ford in 2005. Following numerous tweaks, incarnations and variations such as the GTR sports model and the GT500 -- which is in hiatus, but which will be back in 2018 with an expected 740hp – Ford presented an all-new Shelby GT350 last year, with expanded safety and handling features, the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever -- a 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V-8 engine that stampedes out 526 horses and 429 lbs.-ft, of torque, and all the infotainment we have come to expect from our vehicles.
While technically a Mustang, the 2017 Ford Shelby GT350 is a horse of another color … or another performance and cosmetic level. It is a “Pony” with a big engine, a lower street- and track-hugging height, adaptive MagneRide™ suspension, heavy-duty front-end springs, intercoolers, more powerful Brembo brakes, and a Shelby personality.
To further differentiate GT350 from the typical Mustang, Ford Performance has added more standard features to the 2017 model. Making the Shelby GT350 Mustang street-legal -- but race ready, and track capable -- Ford has also adjusted the available packages after listening to customer feedback. At the end of last year they began offering a back seat option for the Shelby GT350R, and the Standard Track Package now features an aluminum tower-to-tower brace; a high-downforce decklid spoiler; engine oil, transmission and differential coolers; and the MagneRide™ damping system.
The 2017 Shelby GT350 also adds three new colors -- Ruby Red Metallic, Lightning Blue and Grabber Blue replace Deep Impact Blue and Competition Orange --
and the choice of either an available Electronics Package or a Convenience Package.
Combining style with substance and function, GT350 employs an aero shape designed to increase downforce and cooling airflow. All bodywork from the windshield forward is unique to this high-performance beast and up to two inches lower than the Mustang GT.
The aluminum hood has been lowered and sloped, compared to the base Mustang; tightly wrapped around the engine for the smallest possible aerodynamic signature; and the fascia has been sculpted to deliver significant downforce. The hood outlet acts as a heat extractor while also reducing underhood lift at high speed. At the rear, an aggressive functional diffuser increases downforce and provides cooling air to the optional differential cooler, and a subtle lip spoiler across the trailing edge of the decklid increases downforce without adding excess drag.
The aero-design puts GT350’s configuration at 189.7 inches long, 75.9 inches wide and a low-and -stable 53.6 inches high on a 107.1-inch wheelbase. Curbweight is a stout 3655 pounds.
Inside, you have a driver’s cockpit from specially designed Recaro sport seats to its flat-bottom steering wheel for easier driver entrance and egress. Gauges have been upgraded for race visibility, and chrome and bright finishes have been reduced or eliminated to prevent sun glare that may distract the driver.
The interior seats four, but taller drivers and passengers may feel a bit cramped. Headroom provides only 37.6 inches up front and 34.8 inches in row two. Front legroom is generous in row one at 44.5 inches, but only 30.6 inches in the rear seats, and shoulder room is comfortable at 56.3 in row one and 52.2 in the rear.
Above all, GT350 is a performance stallion. Its 526hp, 5.2-liter V-8 engine is a track star. I sprinted a zero-to 60mph run in 4.4 seconds, en route to a 12.6-second quarter-mile – the GT350 of the ’60s took 6.8 to 7.0 seconds for the zero-to-60mph sprint and 15 seconds or more for the quarter-mile. From leaving the line through passing at high speed, my Pony galloped effortlessly. The engine is quiet until you rev it high and get the throaty sport-tuned exhaust notes. Steering is attentive, the suspension is supple and road hugging is confident.
The engine is rated at 14mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, and my week of admitted pedal mashing and tire smoking averaged 15.9mpg.
.
The 2017 Ford Fastback Shelby GT350 bases at $56,145 and the GTR starts at $63,645. In Lightning Blue, a cool Black Racing stripe added $475 and a Painted Black Roof was $695. The Electronics Package, for $3000, added a 9-speaker Audio System, SiriusXM® Radio, SYNC® 3, Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control, Soft Door Rollover, Turn Signal Mirrors, Universal Garage Door Opener and Voice-Activated Navigation System. With destination charges of $900 added, my 2017 Shelby GT350 test drive stickered at $61,215 plus a gas-guzzler tax.
You can see the 2017 Ford Shelby GT350, the 2018 Ford Mustang, and a showcase of nearly 3000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles at the Carlisle Ford Nationals, this weekend at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. From historical icons to concept cars to race cars, trucks, test drives, customs and family cars, it’s the largest all-Ford event in the world.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
The original Shelby Mustangs were built by Shelby-American from 1965 to 1968; by Ford from 1969 to 1970, and were re-launched by Ford in 2005. Following numerous tweaks, incarnations and variations such as the GTR sports model and the GT500 -- which is in hiatus, but which will be back in 2018 with an expected 740hp – Ford presented an all-new Shelby GT350 last year, with expanded safety and handling features, the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever -- a 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V-8 engine that stampedes out 526 horses and 429 lbs.-ft, of torque, and all the infotainment we have come to expect from our vehicles.
While technically a Mustang, the 2017 Ford Shelby GT350 is a horse of another color … or another performance and cosmetic level. It is a “Pony” with a big engine, a lower street- and track-hugging height, adaptive MagneRide™ suspension, heavy-duty front-end springs, intercoolers, more powerful Brembo brakes, and a Shelby personality.
To further differentiate GT350 from the typical Mustang, Ford Performance has added more standard features to the 2017 model. Making the Shelby GT350 Mustang street-legal -- but race ready, and track capable -- Ford has also adjusted the available packages after listening to customer feedback. At the end of last year they began offering a back seat option for the Shelby GT350R, and the Standard Track Package now features an aluminum tower-to-tower brace; a high-downforce decklid spoiler; engine oil, transmission and differential coolers; and the MagneRide™ damping system.
The 2017 Shelby GT350 also adds three new colors -- Ruby Red Metallic, Lightning Blue and Grabber Blue replace Deep Impact Blue and Competition Orange --
and the choice of either an available Electronics Package or a Convenience Package.
Combining style with substance and function, GT350 employs an aero shape designed to increase downforce and cooling airflow. All bodywork from the windshield forward is unique to this high-performance beast and up to two inches lower than the Mustang GT.
The aluminum hood has been lowered and sloped, compared to the base Mustang; tightly wrapped around the engine for the smallest possible aerodynamic signature; and the fascia has been sculpted to deliver significant downforce. The hood outlet acts as a heat extractor while also reducing underhood lift at high speed. At the rear, an aggressive functional diffuser increases downforce and provides cooling air to the optional differential cooler, and a subtle lip spoiler across the trailing edge of the decklid increases downforce without adding excess drag.
The aero-design puts GT350’s configuration at 189.7 inches long, 75.9 inches wide and a low-and -stable 53.6 inches high on a 107.1-inch wheelbase. Curbweight is a stout 3655 pounds.
Inside, you have a driver’s cockpit from specially designed Recaro sport seats to its flat-bottom steering wheel for easier driver entrance and egress. Gauges have been upgraded for race visibility, and chrome and bright finishes have been reduced or eliminated to prevent sun glare that may distract the driver.
The interior seats four, but taller drivers and passengers may feel a bit cramped. Headroom provides only 37.6 inches up front and 34.8 inches in row two. Front legroom is generous in row one at 44.5 inches, but only 30.6 inches in the rear seats, and shoulder room is comfortable at 56.3 in row one and 52.2 in the rear.
Above all, GT350 is a performance stallion. Its 526hp, 5.2-liter V-8 engine is a track star. I sprinted a zero-to 60mph run in 4.4 seconds, en route to a 12.6-second quarter-mile – the GT350 of the ’60s took 6.8 to 7.0 seconds for the zero-to-60mph sprint and 15 seconds or more for the quarter-mile. From leaving the line through passing at high speed, my Pony galloped effortlessly. The engine is quiet until you rev it high and get the throaty sport-tuned exhaust notes. Steering is attentive, the suspension is supple and road hugging is confident.
The engine is rated at 14mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, and my week of admitted pedal mashing and tire smoking averaged 15.9mpg.
.
The 2017 Ford Fastback Shelby GT350 bases at $56,145 and the GTR starts at $63,645. In Lightning Blue, a cool Black Racing stripe added $475 and a Painted Black Roof was $695. The Electronics Package, for $3000, added a 9-speaker Audio System, SiriusXM® Radio, SYNC® 3, Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control, Soft Door Rollover, Turn Signal Mirrors, Universal Garage Door Opener and Voice-Activated Navigation System. With destination charges of $900 added, my 2017 Shelby GT350 test drive stickered at $61,215 plus a gas-guzzler tax.
You can see the 2017 Ford Shelby GT350, the 2018 Ford Mustang, and a showcase of nearly 3000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles at the Carlisle Ford Nationals, this weekend at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. From historical icons to concept cars to race cars, trucks, test drives, customs and family cars, it’s the largest all-Ford event in the world.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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