A reportedly leaked Ford Mustang Shelby GT500R image has been proven to be a fake. Sadly.
We all want the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 to get here already, but we’re just going to have to wait until 2019. In the meantime, there have been a plethora of teaser images released by Ford and many more “leaked” images that have been coming out of the woodwork.
This latest image is from a YouTuber named Nick and his channel called Stang It Up. It starts by showing a previously leaked image on Instagram, but then quickly switches to his own leaked image which shows a wild looking blue Mustang he says is the GT500R.
Wild is almost an understatement. The hood bulge characteristic of the GT350 has been given ridged venting, while the front wheel fenders bulge out wider than ever before. There's more venting there too, presumably for the brakes, while the front grille is big, black, and foreboding.
But sadly, it turns out this pic is a complete fraud. As Motor1 points out, the image is taken from a 2017 Ford Performance lineup photo which features the GT350R. Instead of the GT350R (which you can see on the bottom image), there’s a doctored version of the car which alters the features enough to make it seem like a totally new Mustang.
RELATED: MUSTANG SHELBY GT500 RUMORED TO DITCH MANUAL GEARBOX
It’s not a bad fake, per se. They even went as far as switching up the rear spoiler to be something that more closely resembles official Ford teaser photos. But it’s a fake, and we should no longer waste our time on it.
Meanwhile, an Instagram photo leaked a week ago might just be the real deal. The quality of the image is vastly improved (which is always a good sign), although we’re not sure why Ford would have a convention-style stage to take promotional photos of their upcoming super-Stang.
The Shelby GT500 is rumored to come with a supercharged version of the 5.2-L V8 with power north of 700 horses. We’ve even heard rumors that it flirts with 800 hp, but that seems almost excessive. Paired with the bigger engine should be a 10-speed automatic on the regular GT500, while the R will get a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
We’ll get more info at the Detroit Auto Show this coming January.