With magnetic dampers and tuned suspension, the Shelby GT350 is a barely tame track pony

By Andrew Hard May 7, 2015

Concerning the Shelby GT350 Mustang, most of the attention has been paid to the 5.2-liter flat-plane V8 that sits under its vented hood. The V8 is Ford’s most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever, employing a design usually reserved for exotic supercars, so it’s easy to see why.

But as cool as the engine is, the vehicle’s handling setup might be even cooler.

“When we started working on this car, we wanted to build the best possible Mustang for the places we most love to drive – challenging back roads with a variety of corners and elevation changes, and at the track on weekends,” said Raj Nair, Ford’s VP of Global Product Development. “Every change we made to this car was driven by the functional requirements of a powerful, responsive powerplant – nimble, precise handling and massive stopping power.”

The GT350 builds off the capabilities of the Mustang GT performance pack, adding beefier anti-roll bars and all-new aluminum bearings to stiffen things up.

The Shelby model will also be the first Mustang to equip magnetic dampers — called Magneride — which are filled with a hydraulic fluid impregnated with iron particles. When an electrical current is applied to the damper, the particles rearrange, granting the driver more response and a tighter driving feel. Ford says changes can be made every 7 milliseconds for even more control.

With over 500 horsepower being sent to the rear wheels, you’d better have impressive stopping power. To address this, Ford fitted the most powerful brakes ever fitted to a production ‘Stang. The units consist of two-piece cross-drilled iron rotors, measuring 394mm in the front and 380mm in the back.

Six-piston Brembo calipers bite down on the rotors, and a dedicated ducting system helps keep everything cool under hard driving.

Just 100 examples of the GT350 will be made, 50 of which will be equip the available technology pack, while the other 50 will equip the track pack. Ford plans to build 37 hardcore GT350Rs as well.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Tech giant reveals nice price for new EV to take on Tesla

Xiaomi's first electric car, the SU7.

Xiaomi's first electric car, the SU7. Xiaomi

Tesla already has a tough time in China competing with local auto behemoth BYD, but a new arrival in the electric vehicle market is set to make things even more challenging for the Elon Musk-led automaker.

Cars

Best dash cam deals: Protect your ride from just $39

Rexing V1 dash cam

There are a lot of difficult drivers on the road, and a great way to protect yourself from potential insurance issues is with a dash cam. A dash cam will ensure everything that goes on while you’re driving is recorded. The best dash cams can typically record in multiple directions, making them a great option for Uber drivers who want to keep their customers safe and protect themselves from potential legal issues as well. You can save big on a new dash cam right now, as there are quite a few dash cam deals worth shopping. Below you’ll find what we feel are the best dash cam deals to choose from right now, so read onward for more details on how to save.
70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S -- $40, was $50

The 70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S is the cheapest option in this list, but it doesn't feel like it because it's packed with features. The dash cam, which supports microSD memory cards of up to 64GB, records footage at 1080p Full HD resolution with night vision capabilities thanks to its Sony IMX307 image processor and f/2.2 aperture. With its built-in G sensor, the dash cam will detect an accident and lock footage to prevent overwrites. You can use voice commands to ask the dash cam to take photos or to start recording videos, and you can use its accompanying app to watch real-time footage and to download files to your phone.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.