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Shelby GT350: The Flat-Plane V8 Mustang of 2015
The Shelby GT350 of 2015 was not the most powerful Mustang ever, but its engine was something new. Ford revealed the car at the Los Angeles show in November 2014, in the Mustang's 50th-anniversary year. Its 5.2-litre "Voodoo" V8 had a flat-plane crankshaft and gave 392 kW (533 PS). Ford called it the most powerful naturally aspirated engine it had put into production.
Key takeaways
- Revealed in Los Angeles in November 2014; the track-focused GT350R followed in Detroit in January 2015.
- 5.2-litre flat-plane crank V8: 392 kW (533 PS) at 7,500 rpm and 582 Nm.
- The 2013–2014 Shelby GT500 was stronger, with a supercharged 494 kW.
- Built until the 2020 model year, then replaced by the 567 kW GT500.
Was it the most powerful Mustang?
The old 1cars headline said so, but the record belonged to another Shelby. The supercharged GT500 of 2013–2014 produced 494 kW (671 PS), about 100 kW more than the GT350. The new car's claim was narrower and more interesting: no naturally aspirated Ford production engine had made more power.
Size at a glance
Ford Mustang S550
The Ford Mustang S650 is 32 mm longer, 5 mm wider and 21 mm taller than the Ford Mustang S550.
| Dimensions | Ford Mustang S650 | Ford Mustang S550 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,820 mm189.8 in | 4,788 mm188.5 in | +32 mm+1.3 in |
| Width | 1,920 mm75.6 in | 1,915 mm75.4 in | +5 mm+0.2 in |
| Height | 1,400 mm55.1 in | 1,379 mm54.3 in | +21 mm+0.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm107.1 in | 2,720 mm107.1 in | Same |
The car was developed by Ford's Global Performance Vehicles team under chief engineer Jamal Hameedi, not by Shelby American. The name honours the original 1965 GT350, described in the history of the Ford Mustang.
Shelby GT350 specifications
| Parameter | GT350 (2015–2020) |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.2-litre (5,163 cc) "Voodoo" V8, flat-plane crankshaft |
| Power | 392 kW (533 PS) at 7,500 rpm |
| Torque | 582 Nm at 4,750 rpm |
| Gearbox | Tremec six-speed manual, Torsen limited-slip differential |
| Brakes | Brembo: 394 mm front discs with six-piston calipers, 380 mm rear |
| Suspension | Magnetic adaptive dampers, a first for Ford |
| Wheels | 19-inch, 10.5 in wide at the front and 11 in at the rear |
| Weight | 1,706 kg (GT350R: 1,658 kg) |
By our calculation, the V8 made about 76 kW per litre. The old report rounded this to "almost 100 hp per litre", which holds in imperial terms. A flat-plane crank lets the engine rev higher and breathe more evenly, at the cost of more vibration. It gave the GT350 a sound unlike any other Mustang V8.
Body and cabin changes
The GT350 got more than a bigger engine. The aluminium bonnet was lower, with vents to pull hot air out. The front wings were aluminium and wider, with working vents. A new splitter, a rear diffuser and a small boot-lid spoiler cut lift.
Inside there were Recaro bucket seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. According to the launch details in the old 1cars report, five drive modes changed the engine, steering, dampers and ABS together. The GT350R went further, with carbon-fibre wheels described as the first on a mass-production car.
What happened to the GT350
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| November 2014 | GT350 revealed in Los Angeles |
| January 2015 | GT350R revealed in Detroit |
| 2015 | First cars delivered, as the 2016 model year |
| 2019 | Update with revised suspension and tyres |
| 2020 | Last model year; GT350 dropped |
| 2020 | GT500 returns with a supercharged 5.2 V8: 567 kW (771 PS), 847 Nm |
The GT500 that replaced it was much stronger but used a dual-clutch automatic, so the GT350 remained the last manual Shelby of that era. The flat-plane Voodoo did not return in later Mustangs.
Buying a used GT350: our view
It suits drivers who want a high-revving manual Mustang for road and track. Choose a 2019–2020 car for the updated chassis, or a GT350R if you plan regular track days. Ask for the full service history and oil-change records, because this engine is often used hard on track.
Set it against rivals with the comparison tool, check its place in the 1cars rankings and see every generation in the Ford Mustang catalogue. For the original 1960s cars, read about the Shelby Mustang GT500.
FAQ
How much horsepower does the 2015 Shelby GT350 have?
The 5.2-litre Voodoo V8 produces 392 kW, equal to 533 PS or 526 hp, at 7,500 rpm, with 582 Nm of torque. The GT350R uses the same engine and output, but it is lighter and has carbon-fibre wheels.
Is the GT350 faster than the GT500?
No. The 2013–2014 GT500 had 494 kW and the 2020 GT500 has 567 kW, both supercharged. The GT350 is lighter and revs higher, so Ford built it for handling and track use rather than for outright power.
Why does the GT350 have a flat-plane crank?
A flat-plane crankshaft lets a V8 rev higher and fire evenly between the cylinder banks. That suits a naturally aspirated track engine. The trade-off is more vibration than a normal cross-plane V8.
When did Ford stop making the Shelby GT350?
The 2020 model year was the last. Ford ended production that year after about five years, and the supercharged Shelby GT500 took over as the most powerful Mustang in the range.
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