Ford debuts 700-horsepower ‘street-legal’ Mustang Shelby GT500

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

Members of the media look over the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 after it was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, January 14, 2019.

The car is a big statement by a company that less than a year ago said it plans to all but stop selling cars in North America entirely over the next few years. If Ford follows through on those plans, the Mustang would be the last traditional passenger car in its lineup.

The GT500’s massive 700-horsepower engine is perhaps meant to rival that of the 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which has created lots of buzz for Dodge and Fiat Chrysler overall.

The GT500 is not meant to be a high-volume car, but it could prove quite valuable as a “halo” vehicle meant to draw buzz around the brand, said IHS Markit analyst Stephanie Brinley.

“The GT500 is essentially a street-to-track car for the Mustang, not entirely unlike the Challenger and Charger Hellcats,” she said. “So it is low volume, but big excitement. … It is clearly important to get people excited about your brand and about your vehicles in general, whether they buy a utility vehicle, a sedan, or a sports car. It does help to make a statement, as long as it fits with the brand.”