Ford has decided to unleash its new 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500 upon crowds, continuing a trend started by 2020s re-release. With this car having been in the public eye for 55 years, older models have become quite collectible, and the brand itself has become iconic since its inception. These cars are highly prized, and they have been showing their skills at the racetrack for quite some time. On top of that, new variants have been announced to accompany the standard 2022 GT500, with the Heritage Edition among them. Several new features make their debut with this model, and the engine has been retooled and refined to become even more powerful than efficient than it was before. One word of caution: this model uses fuel like none other, so possible customers should factor additional fuel costs into the overall purchase price.

Read on to find out more about the more interesting aspects and features of the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

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New Options Are Now Available For The Shelby GT500

Several options for the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 are new for 2022. This vehicle was most recently introduced just two years prior and featured a 760 HP, 5.2-L V8 engine upon its return. The 2022 model begins at $74,660, making it the most expensive Mustang currently available, though it also is the most powerful. The 2022 model has a new Code Orange paint option available, and the engine is more easily able to be tuned for optimal performance. The 2022 model will not feature the Carbon Fiber Track Pack that was previously available, with 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels, a wheel lock kit, adjustable top shock mounts, a catch can, splitter wickers, and a Gurney flap on the rear wing. So far, it is unknown why Ford declined to renew this option. That said, a few other packages are available, such as the Handling package. This option is similar to the departed Carbon Fiber Package, as the Handling package also showcases a Gurney flap, splitter wickers, and front suspension adjustments. However, the front seats now lack temperature-adjustable cushions in exchange for boosting both comfort and support.

Legitimate Engine Intensity For The Shelby GT500

Ford has decided to install a more significant engine in the newest model of Mustang; this engine is planned to have more power and capabilities than those of previous models. Ford has even gone so far as to refer to the 2022 GT500's engine as “the most powerful engine ever stuffed into a Ford production car,” according to Car And Driver. As with the 2020 edition, the 2022 model features a 760 HP, 5.2-L V8 engine that can dish out 625 lb-ft of torque. The engine has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for twisting rear wheels, as the manual transmission is not an option for this model. Further, the Shelby GT500 was actually optimized for racetrack duty, and it produces quicker lap times than its more exotic counterparts. It has also been known to have superior acceleration and more agile handling than previously before, though adaptive dampers come standard in order to smooth out the riding experience. It has a curb weight of 4,171 lbs and a 107.1-inch wheelbase. Also, its width is 76.6 inches, while its height is 54.3 inches.

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The Shelby GT500 Is Still Guzzling That Gas

Unfortunately, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is neither fuel-efficient nor eco-friendly, consuming a decent amount of fuel per mile. The initial fuel estimates seem to be quite low, with an estimated 12 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway. Keen observers of race cars and muscle cars will note that this Mustang fares worse than its contemporaries, such as the Camaro and Challenger. That said, what the car lacks in fuel economy can possibly be made up for with interior comfort. A lot of space was devoted to both passengers and cargo, and carbon-fiber instrument panel trim is offered as an option over the standard aluminum dashboard trim. A configurable 12.0-inch fully digital gauge cluster is another option expected to be popular, with six-way power in the driver's seat, and dual-zone climate control. An eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a lot of connectivity options are available. Steering-wheel and voice commands are also included with Ford's Sync 3 software.

There Is A Heritage Edition Available

Many variants of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 are also planned for release, with the Heritage Edition being foremost among them. This edition is made to commemorate the original Shelby GT500's 55th anniversary, although this package is mainly for aesthetics and external appearance purposes. No additional power, engine upgrades, interior comfort options, or infotainment upgrades are part of the Heritage Edition. The exterior has a Brittany Blue paint job, and customers are able to choose between Wimbledon White or Absolute Black twin stripes from stem to stern. However, the base price for this edition begins at $2,140, with a hand-painted option available for $10,000. These Heritage Edition models are currently planned to arrive at sales floors by spring 2022.

Sources: media.ford.com, caranddriver.com, motorauthority.com, edmunds.com,