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2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R

Starting at $58,235

9/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2018 ford mustang shelby g350  gt350r
Michael Simari, Ford|Car and Driver
9/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Track-ready power and handling, excellent manual transmission, decent road manners.
  • Lows Thumping and frenetic V-8 may not be for everyone, downmarket interior materials, cramped back seat (if any).
  • Verdict The 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and GT350R are designed to get an enthusiast's heart pumping while still being easy to live with on a daily basis.

Overview

What do you get when you outfit a Mustang with a track-ready chassis and a high-revving, glorious-sounding V-8 engine? The spectacular Shelby GT350. If that's not enough for you, there's the race-focused GT350R, which is rigged with competition equipment and stripped of superfluous stuff like a back seat. While the Shelby is outgunned at the drag strip by the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, Ford has heavily transformed its twin snakes for hypnotic high performance.

What's New for 2018?

Unlike the ordinary Mustang, the Shelby GT350 isn’t refreshed for 2018. In fact, both of the new Shelby models are virtually identical to last year’s vehicles. The only update is three new exterior colors: Kona Blue, Orange Fury, and Lead Foot Gray.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

  • GT350: $58,235
  • GT350R: $65,735

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Ford calls its raucous, high-revving V-8 the Voodoo, and it's only available on the Shelby GT350 and GT350R. It's tuned to whip up 526 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. The two models share a satisfying six-speed manual transmission. In our testing, the GT350 went from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds; the GT350R did the deed in 3.9, thanks to its lower curb weight, lighter carbon-fiber wheels, and wider, stickier tires. The GT350’s stiffened chassis is excellent; its limits are easily explored and exploited. Yet the Shelby is surprisingly livable in daily driving. It has a tactile helm that performs very well on smooth surfaces at any speed, although it can be a bit unpredictable on choppy streets.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Shelby GT350's interior is similar to that of the regular Mustang, with a mix of modern and retro styling and abundant front-seat legroom. The rear seat, on the other hand, is virtually unusable by adults. Although eye-catching faux-suede trim and Shelby badging are specific to the GT350, the plentiful hard plastics look and feel low grade. A pair of Recaro front sport seats are standard, but they can be replaced with power-adjustable, heated and cooled leather buckets. The GT350R saves weight by deleting the back seat, audio system, floor mats, and auxiliary gauges, although these can be added back. The Shelby is a hoot at the track and also makes a reasonable travel companion. It can hold a decent amount of luggage and has a surprising amount of interior storage space.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The available Sync 3 infotainment system has an attractive interface and user-friendly controls, and it features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard setup is a bland 4.2-inch display that includes a single-disc CD player and a six-speaker stereo. The optional 8.0-inch Sync 3 touchscreen has voice-activated navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a premium Sony audio system. All of this is stripped from the GT350R to save weight, but the sound system can be reinstalled with the R Electronics package.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

For more information about the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.

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