Shelby's hotted-up Ford Mustang packs a 620kW punch

Shelby American has once again injected more venom into the Ford Mustang, unveiling its latest Super Snake version of the new-generation pony car – and it’s coming to Australia.

Based on the new seventh-generation ‘S650’ Ford Mustang GT, the new Shelby Super Snake is limited to 250 examples worldwide.

An undisclosed number are coming to Australia via Melbourne-based tuning firm Mustang Motorsport, which will require customers to bring their own Mustang GT to receive the extensive mechanical and cosmetic enhancements.

Pricing for the package has not yet been disclosed.

Headlining the Super Snake is its 620kW power output when the optional 3.0-litre Whipple supercharger is added, bringing a significant boost to the stock Mustang GT’s 358kW 5.0-litre V8 engine.

Shelby does also offer the Super Snake without its supercharger, with both iterations gaining the same Borla exhaust system, cooling upgrades, and performance half shafts.

The firm will convert Mustang GTs with either the 10-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual, with the latter gaining a short-throw shifter and one-piece driveshaft.

A Shelby suspension system, brake rotor upgrade and 20-inch forged magnesium wheels with “performance spec tyres” help to keep the car under control despite its significant power boost.

Other exterior upgrades include a unique Super Snake vented aluminium bonnet, carbon-fibre front wheel arch extensions, wider panels, a rear ducktail spoiler and diffuser. Coupe versions also get a carbon-fibre rear wing.

Inside, Super Snakes received a “Shelby spec interior upgrade” with embroidered floor mats, cobra puddle lamps, unique door sill plates, a numbered dash and engine plaque, plus a light bar for convertible versions.

As reported last week, the new Ford Mustang is due to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2024, almost two years after its September 2022 reveal and behind its original late-2023 launch schedule.

While Mustang Motorsport is Australia’s exclusive distributor of the Shelby Super Snake kit, Herrod Performance has previously confirmed it will sell the 3.0-litre Whipple supercharger which is now a Ford-backed item – along with a water-to-air intercooler, a larger heat exchanger, larger intake throttle bodies and an ECU tune to suit. 

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