The latest Ford Mustang is much improved over its predecessor. Sharper-suited, sharper to drive and shortly on sale in the UK, the later car is a corner-carver where its predecessors were better-suited to straight line thrills.
Not that a 415bhp, 391lb ft V8-engined sports car isn’t adept in a straight line. And when companies like Shelby American are happy to take that to over 750bhp, the new ‘Stang is still a car ready to sprint up the nearest drag strip.
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Developed by the iconic American tuning firm, the latest powerhouse Mustang is known as the Super Snake. Just 300 Super Snakes will be built during the 2015 model year, and all are based on a standard, brand-new Mustang GT.
The changes are numerous, as you’d hope for a $49,999 bill on top of the cost of the base car. This figure gets you a Ford Performance supercharger, for an output of over 650bhp. There’s also a Ford Performance exhaust and Ford Performance handling pack.
To this, Shelby adds its own cooling pack, a set of Weld Racing forged 20-inch alloy wheels, Wilwood 6 piston front brakes, Ford Performance driveshafts, a different final drive, short-throw gearshift and a smattering of engine dress-up parts.
Outside, these are complemented by a full kit of carbonfibre body components – a splitter, Super Snake bonnet, mirror cap covers, blades, a spoiler, the rear panel between the tail lights and a diffuser. The grille is billet aluminium, and Super Snake badges are liberally applied wherever appropriate.
Those wishing to go for the full 750-plus-horsepower package must spend an extra $15,000, with upgrades to the supercharger, engine, differential and transmission cooling, upgraded rear brakes, brake ducts, and a one-piece propshaft.
A range of options can also be applied to both cars, from Shelby-badged valve covers to a full roll cage, five-point harnesses and race seats.
Shelby bills the car as being something that ‘appeals to both the traditional Shelby Super Snake owner, as well as to the driver who demands world-class handling with stellar braking and higher horsepower capabilities.’
