Ford Mustang Shelby Beast 🔥 GT500 2021 - Best Sports Cars - SUPERCARS

Ford Mustang Shelby Beast 🔥 GT500 2021 - Best Sports Cars - SUPERCARS

The 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 boasts 760 horses of supercharged-V-8 mayhem, but it also possesses the athleticism of smaller and lighter sports cars. Those accolades make it the most powerful production car Ford has ever built as well as the most immersive Mustang we've ever driven, which is why it's on our Editors' Choice list. At the center of the excitement is the Shelby's supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, which plays a thrilling soundtrack through its bazooka-like exhaust pipes. A manual transmission isn't available, but the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic operates damn near telepathically. The rear-drive-only coupe also accelerates so tenaciously that it should include a warranty on underwear. The GT500 feels equally thrilling when running down more exotic metal on a racetrack. Sure, it has terrible fuel economy and costs a lot for a Mustang–especially with the exorbitantly priced Carbon Fiber Track package–but the 2021 Shelby GT500 is a magnificent muscle car and a phenomenal sports car.
With Ford ending production of the Shelby GT350, that leaves the 2021 GT500 as the only Mustang to bear the Cobra snake badge. This year, Ford has added the Carbon Fiber Handling Package to the GT500's order sheet; the $10,000 package includes 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels, adjustable strut-top mounts, and additional aero elements. Three colors join the palette: Grabber Yellow, Antimatter Blue, and Carbonized Gray Metallic.
The 2021 Shelby GT500 isn't only the most powerful Mustang—it's also the most expensive. While its maximum performance potential is unlocked with the Carbon Fiber Track Pack (20-inch carbon-fiber wheels, aerodynamic add-ons, stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, and other weight-saving measures), that package costs $18,500–roughly 25 percent of its base price. Even without all that hardware, we're still extremely impressed with the GT500, so we'd recommend only a few options. The Handling package allows front suspension adjustments and adds improved aero with splitter wickers and a Gurney flap. The available Recaro front seats don't have power adjustments or heated and cooled cushions, but they better match the car's personality and are comfortable and supportive. Likewise, the exposed carbon-fiber instrument panel trim enhances the Shelby's cabin quality.