The year is 2022 and the S650 Ford Mustang is around the corner. Even though Ford has promised to carry over the much lover 5.0-Liter Coyote V-8, this seems to be the end of the line for the hand-built Predator engine, along with top-dog Mustang Shelby GT500 because the new generation Mustang won't be able to meet the tightening emission regulations. So, to celebrate the modern-day GT500's legacy, here are 10 things you should know about this marvelous muscle car.

Purposeful Looks

One look at the 2022 Shelby GT500 and you'd know that this Mustang means business. Starting with its bespoke exterior panels that accentuate Shelby's wider and lower stance, the massive grill with the iconic Shelby Cobra logo and the aggressive front all serve a purpose. The same story continues at the back with the aggressive splitter and spoiler along with the quad-tip exhaust that sounds the business and looks the part.

Factory Carbon track pack

If the stock Shelby Mustang for some reason isn't hardcore enough for your track day needs, Ford has thought and catered to that clientele with the optional Carbon Fiber Track Pack. It adds stuff like 20-inch carbon fiber wheels, improved aero courtesy of a more aggressive body kit, and other radical weigh savings measures and the price for all this aggressive tech stands at $18,500.

Handling Package

In addition to the factory Carbon Track package that's offered with the GT500 Shelby Cobra, Ford has thrown in a more practical set of upgrades at the 2022 GT500 with the Handling package which comes with adjustable front suspension in addition to aero upgrades like a good ol' fashioned Gurney flap and a more aggressive splitter. Ford even offers optional Recaro bucket seats which lose some useful features like seat ventilation, but instead, gives you a much more supportive seat that's a must for track goers.

The Predator Engine

Powering the Shelby Cobra GT500 is Ford's most powerful production engine to date which Ford has aptly dubbed the Predator. This behemoth is a 5.2-liter V-8 packing 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque, sending power exclusively to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This results in the manic performance that defines the GT500 Cobra. In fact, since the end of 2021, Ford has started offering the Shelby GT500's 760 horsepower "Predator" engine as a crate engine available as Ford Performance Parts M-6007-M52SC.

Slick-shifting Dual-Clutch Automatic Gearbox

As much as we would have liked to see the GT350R's slick-shifting manual gearbox onboard the GT500, the fact is that the dual-clutch transmission was the only feasible option that could effectively put the power down and deliver shifts quick enough to make the most of the supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V-8 and the 625 pound-feet of torque it delivers.

Sharp Handler

The Shelby GT500 is not a forgiving car. It feels heavy and brutish albeit with an air of sophistication and high-speed mannerisms that we generally don't associate with a typical American Supercar. The optional track pack and handling pack further improve the GT500 Cobra's capabilities, but there's no getting away from the near two-ton curb weight that does affect agility and high-speed handling to an extent. The adaptive dampers do firm up quite a bit in race mode, but in a comfortable setting, it feels almost like a regular Mustang.

Brimming with Tech Features

If you opt for the 2022 Shelby GT500's upgraded carbon trimmed interior, you'll get a configurable 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster that offers plenty of useful information and customization options. That is complemented by an eight-inch Ford Sync 3 system that supports voice commands, Wi-fi hotspot support, and a tasteful B&O 12-speaker sound system that comes together and uplifts the GT500's ambiance.

Usable Interior

The standard 2022 Shelby GT500 is the most expensive version of the current Mustang, and it comes with a host of features and upmarket touches like dual-zone climate control, and leather upholstery six-way adjustable driver seats as standard. Opting for the track pack can get you the optional leather-trimmed Recaro seats with significantly more support.

Limited production Heritage Edition

2022 marks the original Shelby GT500's 55th birthday. With the GT500, approaching the end of its line, what better way to remind the fans of the GT500's glorious history than by creating a limited-run appearance package called the Heritage Edition. Priced at $2,140, it consists of a Brittany Blue paint job and the choice of either a Wimbledon White or Absolute Black twin vinyl stripes, a faithful homage to the original vehicle's paint job. But, if you want something truly special then you can have the stripes hand-painted for a cool $10,000.

GT500 King Road Edition

Manufacturer and marketed by Shelby America the Ford Shelby GT500 KR Mustang (short for "King Road") is the revival of the KR badge for this modern iteration of the GT500. The "King Road" version originally represented the most powerful version of the car, which, in this case, boasts an additional 140 horsepower which takes the total output up to 900 horsepower. This is courtesy of a Whipple supercharger, a Borla full system exhaust, and an improved intake. All these improvements come together to make the GT500 KR, the most cutting-edge production Shelby Mustang to date.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

The 700-plus horsepower club was exclusively reserved for supercars and hypercars nearly a decade ago, but here we are, in 2022 with a Shelby Mustang packing 760 horsepower from the factory. The best part is that all this cutting-edge performance has a starting price of $80,815. To put this figure into perspective, an entry-level 911 Carrera will set you back $99,200 and it comes with a 379-horsepower twin-turbo flat-six. This makes the Shelby GT500 Mustang a true performance car bargain.

2022 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Specifications:

FAQ

Q: How much is a Shelby GT500 Cobra

The Shelby GT500 carries a starting price of $80,815 while the limited-run Shelby Cobra GT500 KR will set you back $127,895. In addition, you can also opt for the track pack that adds tons of carbon fiber bits to lose weight and improve handling and it will set you back $18,500.

Q: Is a Shelby GT500 faster than a Hellcat?

With a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds, the Shelby GT500 is quicker than a Challenger Hellcat which does the same in around 3.7-seconds.

Q: How Much is a 1967 Shelby GT500 worth?

The 1967 Shelby GT500 is one of the most sought-after Mustang models which is why a record-setting example fetched $2.2 million at an auction.

Q: How Much is a 1965 Shelby GT500 worth?

A 1965 Shelby GT500 Super Snake currently holds the record for the most expensive Mustang ever sold at auction with a selling price of $3.85 million.