Refreshing or Revolting: Shelby GT500 Vs. Camaro ZL1 Vs. Challenger Hellcat Redeye

Ford promised that its 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 will be the most powerful street-legal Ford yet, and with 760 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque on tap from its supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, it’s well-equipped for a smokin’ good time on the track. The 2020 GT500 also has looks that kill. Unlike lesser Ford Mustangs that have a new front fascia with reshaped headlights as part of a refresh, the GT350 and GT500 stuck with the angrier pre-facelift look.

The large grille that extends all the way down, oversized front lower air intakes, reshaped front fenders, and thin headlights give the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 an imposing visage. Additional aero bits come as part of the Handling package. Compared to its chief competitors, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat, the GT500 has the most eye-catching potential unless you consider the ZL1 1LE, which has dive planes and a front splitter. From the side, all three muscle cars look pretty conventional since they’re all coupes; however, the Challenger has the most retro styling going on courtesy of its upright greenhouse. The GT500 and Camaro’s low-slung roofs give a modern twist to the formula, and the Shelby snake badge on the Ford’s front fender hints at its performance potential.

Out back, the 2020 GT500 has a lip spoiler, a lower rear fascia with massive quad exhausts, and a different diffuser from your run-of-the-mill Mustang. There’s less differentiation on the Hellcat Redeye because the only thing that gives it away is a Hellcat badge on the front fender with a red eye. Everything else from the wide wheel arches and lip spoiler are available on the standard Hellcat and the SRT 392. The Camaro ZL1 continues with the subdued theme—unless you go for a ZL1 1LE, which gets an adjustable rear wing. Opt for the Carbon Fiber Track package in the 2020 GT500, and you’ll also get an adjustable rear wing and carbon fiber wheels, helping it stand out even more. 

All three muscle cars feature a conventional interior. The only hints at their performance potential are the bucket seats, special logos like the Shelby snake in the 2020 GT500, red gauges and cool graphics, and welcome effects on the main touchscreen or digital gauge cluster when you turn the vehicle on. One distinguishing feature on the 2020 GT500 is a full digital cluster, which was originally introduced on the Mustang when it received a refresh for the 2018 model year. Both the Camaro ZL1 and Challenger Hellcat Redeye feature a simpler layout with analog gauges and a reasonably sized instrument cluster display.

When it goes on sale later this year, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will start at $73,995, which makes it a bit of a bargain for the performance you’re getting. The price, however, can easily creep up once you add extras like the Carbon Fiber Track package, the Handling package, the Recaro bucket seats, and the Technology package. Unlike previous iterations of the GT500, which came exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, the 2020 model will only offer a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The post Refreshing or Revolting: Shelby GT500 Vs. Camaro ZL1 Vs. Challenger Hellcat Redeye appeared first on MotorTrend.

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