2020 GT500 Mustang Chassis Technology Coming to a GT350R Near You

2020 GT500 Mustang Chassis Technology Coming to a GT350R Near You

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DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 12, 2019 – As the greatest-ever Mustang performance lineup hits the streets, the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350R picks up new performance tech and colors from its stablemates to make it more fun to drive on the track and off.

Enhancing handling and steering responsiveness, Shelby GT350R refinements for 2020 include redesigned front suspension geometry with a redesigned high-trail steering knuckle leveraged from the all-new Shelby GT500. To elevate driver confidence and steering precision, a new steering rack and recalibrated electric power steering control is also added.

“It’s always been our plan to take the latest innovations from the GT500 program and strategically apply them across the Mustang lineup,” said Ed Krenz, Ford Performance chief program engineer. “These latest updates to the GT350R keep its performance competitive and on the top if its game, whether that’s on the track or on the street.”

GT350R continues to also deliver against aggressive targets for weight reduction with a rear seat delete and carbon fiber wheels. Exhaust resonators also have been removed for weight savings with the benefit of creating a sharper exhaust tone.

For customers seeking more comfort in their Shelby GT350R, Ford offers an available Technology Package with a 12-speaker B&O premium sound system, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Cobra Puddle Lamps and voice-activated navigation.

Also standard are carbon fiber wheels, larger front splitter and rear wing.

Standing apart from GT350, GT350R features distinct design details. Exterior touches include red painted brake calipers, red pin striping at the edges of the optional over-the-top racing stripes and Shelby GT350R badging. Inside is high-contrast red stitching, Shelby GT350R badging and the D-shaped steering wheel fitted with a red center mark at the top.



Shelby GT350

2020 Shelby GT350 carries over previous updates, including the latest advances in tire, aerodynamics and chassis technology. GT350 shares some new Mustang colors and new driver technologies. Grabber Lime and Twister Orange are two bright, new heritage feature colors that trace back to the 1970s, while new Iconic Silver and Red Hot Metallic provide some classic hues to the lineup.

FordPass Connect™, now standard on Mustang for 2020, allows owners to interact with their vehicles via a smartphone. Using FordPass Connect’s phone application, GT350 owners can locate their parked car, lock and unlock it, and check vehicle status, such as fuel, oil levels and maintenance alerts. The availability of these features varies by market.

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My gut tells me those steering "updates" are actually going to cripple the GT350R... on purpose to put more track distance between it and the GT500 HP/CFTP. I'm very curious to see same day track differences between a previous car and one with these updates.
 
My gut tells me those steering "updates" are actually going to cripple the GT350R... on purpose to put more track distance between it and the GT500 HP/CFTP. I'm very curious to see same day track differences between a previous car and one with these updates.
Why would you think they would cripple it
 
Why would you think they would cripple it

Exactly as I said, to put more distance between the R and the GT500 on track. Being upwards of 600 lbs heavier, there's no way the GT500 corners better than the GT350R. Even those much larger and heavier front brake calipers and rotors would make the GT500 not turn in as well. Also to repeat, I'd like to see a head to head of a '15-'19 R vs a '20 R. If the '20 R steers better, then I'll eat crow.
 
Exactly as I said, to put more distance between the R and the GT500 on track. Being upwards of 600 lbs heavier, there's no way the GT500 corners better than the GT350R. Even those much larger and heavier front brake calipers and rotors would make the GT500 not turn in as well. Also to repeat, I'd like to see a head to head of a '15-'19 R vs a '20 R. If the '20 R steers better, then I'll eat crow.
I’m hard pressed to see where better front end feel or confidence brought on by a more recent knuckle set up would do anything but benefit it.

Also this is the respective top tier of its trim line but still will have a shadow cast over it by the GT500 simply due to what the consumer wants most....top dog power. The GT350R is a machine made for the track, but it’s nothing to the capability of what the GT500 will offer. Think Porsche GT3 and GT2 respective buyers for each platform.
 
I’m hard pressed to see where better front end feel or confidence brought on by a more recent knuckle set up would do anything but benefit it.

Also this is the respective top tier of its trim line but still will have a shadow cast over it by the GT500 simply due to what the consumer wants most....top dog power. The GT350R is a machine made for the track, but it’s nothing to the capability of what the GT500 will offer. Think Porsche GT3 and GT2 respective buyers for each platform.

I totally get that and have been saying something similar for years. The thing is, just like I'm saying with the R versus GT500, many Porsche owners say the GT3 is the better driving/driver's car even though the GT2 is much faster. I believe the same will hold true with the top Mustangs. That said, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. Just because the GT500 has a steering setup designed specifically for it doesn't mean that same setup is good for the R. Being good enough to handle all that front end weight on the GT500 might make it too twitchy/darty for the R. To combat that, some adjustments probably had/have to be made elsewhere in the R's setup; and not necessarily for the better overall.
 
Just shaking my head at this reasoning. You can’t be serious?
Ford Performance updated and improved the GT350 and 350R simply to give a better product. They’ve learned a ton racing the S550 chassis and in development of the GT500. Some of that has been used to improve a 350/350R package that debuted in 2015!
To think there’s an agenda to handicap the flat plane cars just to make the 500 look better is laughable.
-J
 
I totally get that and have been saying something similar for years. The thing is, just like I'm saying with the R versus GT500, many Porsche owners say the GT3 is the better driving/driver's car even though the GT2 is much faster. I believe the same will hold true with the top Mustangs. That said, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. Just because the GT500 has a steering setup designed specifically for it doesn't mean that same setup is good for the R. Being good enough to handle all that front end weight on the GT500 might make it too twitchy/darty for the R. To combat that, some adjustments probably had/have to be made elsewhere in the R's setup; and not necessarily for the better overall.
Meh, I have to go with the belief that this will make the GT350 even better, and perhaps the reason Ford hasn't put it up on their configurator.
 

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