Ford Mustang GT350R adds a lot more than just a new letter

[Wretched]

Did a search but couldn't find a topic on it.

Okay Chevrolet, the ball is in your court. Ford served up one hell of a rebuttal to the track-focused Camaro Z/28, introducing the limited-production Mustang GT350R, complete with over 500 horsepower, over 400 pound-feet of torque and freaking carbon-fiber wheels. Carbon-fiber wheels. Seriously.

It's because of those 19-inch hoops, along with some other changes, that Ford was able to slice 130 pounds from the already lightweight GT350 Track Pack. The wheels are responsible for a 13-pound reduction in unsprung weight per corner, while the removal of such superfluous things like the air conditioning, stereo, rear seats, trunk carpet, backup camera and tire inflator accounts for the rest of the weight reduction.

Along with the lower weight, Ford has thoroughly reworked the GT350's aerodynamics, adding a simply monstrous rear wing and diffuser, along with vented wheel wells, a new hood vent that both extracts heat and reduces lift. Beside the aero aids, Ford has shod the carbon-fiber wheels in ultra-grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, just to guarantee the shiny side remains up.

Ford retained the standard GT350's 5.2-liter, flat-pane V8, Torsen limited-slip differential (complete with a 3.73 rear axle ratio), although as power figures haven't been published for the standard car, there's no way to know whether the GT350R received a power bump.

What we do know, though, is that the GT350R will not be limited to the track. While that's certainly its natural habitat, owners will be able to register and drive this monster on public roads.

Take a look at the official press release on the GT350R, available below. And also be sure to have a peek at both Ford's stock photos of the new car, as well as our full gallery of live images, direct from the Blue Oval's Detroit Auto Show press conference home at Joe Louis Arena.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/12/f...-2015/#image-5

OK, that wing, has to go, ruins the flow of the car. The rest of it.....yum yum. Those wheels...yes!!

[XRFutura]

pretty sure those wheels are made by carbon revolutions down in Melbourne.

Wish this was coming here, that thing is completely horn.

[chevypower]

Pretty sure they said it was one of 12 global performance products before 2020. I don't see why Australia wouldn't get it.

[MercurySilver]

coz are gov will screw us in the bum somehow and tell us it will kill local car manufacturing industries even tho we dont have any anymore

[graphicgoose]

Impressive. Agree that the rear wing is a bit much, but probably more function over form in this case I'd say. Carbon fibre wheels are cool! You'd be gutted if you kerbed them though...

[Mighty Reds]

Me thinks this will humiliate a lot of pricier vehicles on the track.

[Grippy]

It would be a huge shame if we don't get a chance to buy this and the GT350 here.

[40RDT]

Will be good to see this a the Z/28 go head to head

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by graphicgoose

Impressive. Agree that the rear wing is a bit much, but probably more function over form in this case I'd say.

Yeah I think Raj Nair said it was to increase downforce. A car like that has to be function over form. Though it's form is still pretty damn sexy!

[Grippy]

19x11 and 19x11.5 rear wheels, this thing is going to have huge amounts of grip.

[Joe5619]

Looks very very nice. I love the rear wing.. Will Australia get any of these 'Limited" versions of the Mustang in future??


Dam you Ford, that Mustang would have looked so bloody great racing around Bathurst...

[LoudPipes]

Originally Posted by Grippy

19x11 and 19x11.5 rear wheels, this thing is going to have huge amounts of grip.

You’re not wrong, that has huge grip potential.

It’s funny the Drive article quotes the fronts as being 19x10.

I guess for some journalists, close enough is good enough.

The GT350 rides on 19-inch alloy wheels that are 10-inches wide at the front and 11.5-inches wide at the rear. The use of carbon fibre is said to shave six kilograms of unsprung mass at each corner of the car.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/ford-shelby-gt350r-mustang-revealed-20150113-12mwen.html

[dragons90]

If only they make a Australian version RHD with ac and I'm sold

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Grippy

19x11 and 19x11.5 rear wheels, this thing is going to have huge amounts of grip.

What width tyres though?

[Mighty Reds]

305 front, 315 rear.

[Fordman1]

I soooo want one of these.

OMG !!!

[Nikked]

Im throwing my money at my screen...yet nothing is happening!

[mtbkym01]

That wing doesn't look too bad, far better that the thing on the boot of the HSV GTS

[amiers]

Wonder if you could ring Ford US and ask for one in right hand drive and stick it on a boat?

[FlipXW]

What a beast. Fords line up of cars is getting rather impressive. Keen to see whats install for the GT500. Same specs but with TT perhaps?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by XRFutura

pretty sure those wheels are made by carbon revolutions down in Melbourne.

Wish this was coming here, that thing is completely horn.

Carbon Revolution in Geelong. They definitely look like them. I've picked up one of these wheels before and they are unbelievably light.

[futura]

Love the new liquid blue colour. Not sure on the rear spoiler. Prefer the lip spoiler. Looks like Ford Performance are producing some exciting cars. Wish Ford Australia were in a position to offer some of these cars.

[Oxa384]

Originally Posted by futura

Love the new liquid blue colour. Not sure on the rear spoiler. Prefer the lip spoiler. Looks like Ford Performance are producing some exciting cars. Wish Ford Australia were in a position to offer some of these cars.

One problem ford aus don't have the balls lol

[futura]

Originally Posted by XA2DOR

One problem ford aus don't have the balls lol

The problem is that Australia market was not considered for these new RHD Ford performance models.

[Bossxr8]

When all the other manufacturers are saying performance versions of their cars sell in much greater percentages in Australia than anywhere else.

Another One Ford Fail.

[XR Martin]

Yeah they sell more AMGs here than anywhere else by percentage over the range. I think its one in 10?

[1TUFFUTE]

Yes but do those percentage numbers convert to sales that actually make it worth everyone's effort?
Ford is looking to be ultra competitive AND profitable around the whole globe. Not drop in and out of markets as trial and errors don't work, not unlike the fiasco with OPEL last year!

[deluxe_]

Originally Posted by Mighty Reds

305 front, 315 rear.

Jebus.. that would grip like a super glue around corners.

With such extremely wide tires, the Mustang shouldn't have any issues of lateral g force over 1g.

[Feathers]

I have a spare kidney available...

I'm sure throwing enough money at FordUS you'd be able to get one imported.
Does LHD matter if it's a dedicated track toy?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Yes but do those percentage numbers convert to sales that actually make it worth everyone's effort?
Ford is looking to be ultra competitive AND profitable around the whole globe. Not drop in and out of markets as trial and errors don't work, not unlike the fiasco with OPEL last year!

RenaultSport, AMG and Audi RS certainly think so.