The Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang debuted last year with plenty of attitude, and the on-track aptitude to back it up. The hottest Mustang returns for 2017 with some minor changes, so if you missed out the first time around, start saving now.
The biggest change for the GT350’s sophomore year is a longer list of features, both standard and optional. The Track Package that was optional last year is now standard, adding an aluminum tower-to-tower brace, deckled spoiler, engine, oil, and transmission coolers, and Ford’s MagneRide magnetic adjustable suspension system. Most of these features are standard on the track-focused GT350R, but cost $6,500 extra on the GT350 in 2016.
The GT350 also gets a bigger dose of technology with two new option packages. The Electronics Package adds Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, voice activated navigation, and a nine-speaker audio system. The Convenience Package includes those features, and also replaces the standard manual-adjust Recaro sport seats with power-adjustable leather seats.
Some new colors round out the changes. For 2017, Ruby Red Metallic, Lightning Blue, and Grabber Blue are in, while 2016’s Deep Impact Blue and Competition Orange are out.
There are no mechanical changes, so buyers still get a 5.2-liter V8 that sends 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. This engine remains a novelty because of its lack of turbochargers or superchargers, and its flat-plane crank design. Unlike the previous Shelby GT500, the GT350 is more focused on handling, hence features like the MagneRide suspension and the cool carbon fiber wheels available on the GT350R.
Ford’s thoroughbred certainly gallops into 2017 with more equipment, but we’ll have to wait until the Blue Oval releases pricing information to see if that translates into good value. For reference, the 2016 GT350 started at $48,695 (including destination). The 2017 GT350 goes on sale in June.
