√Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 unleashed with 960kW-plus Code Red package

Famed Ford tuner Shelby has released its most powerful upgrades to the Ford Mustang yet with the GT500 Code Red, fitting the muscle car with twin turbochargers and up to 969kW – for a $US209,995 ($AU304,500) premium.

Legendary US tuner Shelby has unveiled its latest upgrade package for the Ford Mustang GT500, believed to be the most powerful ever fitted to the iconic muscle car.

Available for the Mustang Shelby GT500 in the US, the Code Red package turns Ford’s muscle car into a 969kW/1356Nm track-only weapon, with the tuning firm claiming the GT500 is no longer road legal due to its modifications.

The Code Red’s upgrades are highlighted by a pair of turbochargers which replace the supercharger fitted to the donor car’s 5.2-litre petrol engine.

According to Shelby, almost all of the Mustang GT500 engine’s components have been upgraded for the Code Red to produce in excess of 746kW and 1058Nm when using 93 octane unleaded petrol (equivalent to more than 98 octane in Australia).

However, when running on E85 – a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent unleaded – Shelby claims the GT500 Code Red can produce up to 969kW/1356Nm, making it 404kW more powerful than the standard Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission which is exclusive to the Shelby GT500.

Shelby R&D chief Vince LaViolette claims the GT500 Code Red is best suited to straight-line situations, despite a number of handling-focused upgrades.

“All of the massive horsepower and torque we develop with the new Code Red car required us to focus on optimising traction,” Shelby R&D chief Vince LaViolette said in a media statement.

“That is why Code Red is more of a straight-line performer than a road course warrior. While not street legal, it’s very capable at moderate speeds in most any curve.

“But when the turbos spool up, the car is best enjoyed moving straight ahead.”

Adjustable height springs feature on all four corners of the Shelby GT500 Code Red, paired with stiffer front and rear sway bars plus a revised tune for the car’s ‘MagnaRide’ adaptive damping system.

The Shelby GT500 Code Red is also equipped with a handful of exterior upgrades compared to the donor vehicle, such as a carbon-fibre front splitter, bonnet, rear diffuser, rear wing, and wide-body kit.

The wider wheel arches are filled with Shelby’s 20-inch forged aluminium wheels, measuring 11-inches wide up front and 13-inches wide at the rear – wrapped in 305/30 and 345/30 tyres, respectively.

Interior tweaks include a pair of black and red leather front seats with ‘Code Red’ logos, while the rear seats have been removed to make space for a roll cage.

Limited to 30 examples, the Shelby GT500 Code Red package is priced from $US209,995 ($AU304,500), excluding the $US79,420 ($AU115,150) pre-tax price of the donor car.

It is also worth noting the Shelby GT500 Code Red package voids Ford’s new-car warranties.

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has never been sold through the US car giant in Australia, although a handful of examples have been imported and converted to right-hand-drive.

Ford is due to reveal its seventh-generation Mustang on September 14, replacing the current model which arrived in Australia in 2015.

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