Performance Review: Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 - [2020]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2020. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular Ford Mustang has a 5163cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1680 kgs (3703 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5163cc 32V V8 engine produces 526 bhp (392 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Supercharged V8 throws out 429 lb-ft (581.6 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster (338.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 313.0 bhp per ton and 255.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2020 Mustang competing with the 2009 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren Roadster (338.0 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Lotus Exige 380 3.5 V6 (337.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 255.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1954 Jaguar D Type 3.4L (280.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes CL Class 600 Coupe Bi Turbo (280.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 is also faster than the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the and the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1990 Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.01 secs @ 113.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Lotus Carlton 3.6 Turbo (11.96 secs), the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STi PPP (11.96 secs), and the 2006 BMW Z4 3.2 M Roadster 2d (11.97 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2020 version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 has a maximum speed of 173mph.

Top Speed of the 2020 Mustang equals the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (184 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R 5.2 V8 then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992 (184 mph), the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (184 mph), or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (184 mph).

Related Links:

2020 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison