Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Unleashed at Goodwood Festival of Speed [video]

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2015

No doubt the 2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R is a ferocious beast. The Mustang’s lightweight 5.2-liter V8 engine produces a bodacious 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque without the help of a turbocharger or supercharger. With a 102 horsepower per liter power-to-volume ratio, this is Ford’s most power-dense, naturally aspirated, high-revving V8 to leave the production line.

This engine was designed to deliver high horsepower, broad torque curve, aggressive throttle response, and be lightweight. The unique flat-plane crank design is often found in high-end European sports cars and the torque curve has been tuned to deliver 90 percent of its power from 3,450 to 7,000 rpm. Even the aluminum-cased 6-speed manual was specifically developed to be paired with the 5.2-liter V8.

The Shelby GT350R has the GT350 Track Package that includes MagnaRide dampers with selectable drive modes, heavy duty front springs, fluid coolers for the engine, transmission, and rear differential and a lightweight strut tower brace. Body upgrades include a front chin splitter, huge rear wing and aluminum bumper beam.

Less is more when we’re talking about the Shelby GT350R Mustang. Going on a diet meant removing the rear seats, air conditioning, the entire audio system and more. After replacing the aluminum alloy wheels with 19-inch carbon fiber wheels, total weight savings added up to a 130 pound weight reduction.

Watch the new Shelby GT350R fight its way up the course–squirming, drifting, and growling all the way to the finish line. At the wheel taming this wild beast is Ben Collins, also known as “The Stig” from Top Gear.

Coming soon to a North America dealership near you, fall 2015.