Next-Gen Ford Mustang GT350R 2024 Specs, Changes, Release Date – If the roar of a Ferrari V8 has ever captivated you. Still, you can’t justify the hundreds of thousands dollars required to buy an Italian exotic; the Mustang Shelby GT350 may be the car for you. That’s not why it was made, but having a Mustang that can imitate the sound of a Fezza is pretty neat nonetheless. The GT350 and GT350R (which start at $60,440 and $73,435, respectively) are intended to provide their owners with an exhilarating driving experience on both the road and the track. The GT350 is powered by a saucily named 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 that generates 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque; the R trim adds one additional horsepower while shaving significant weight. This driver’s vehicle’s flat-plane crank is responsible for the shrill scream, but the real magic is in the suspension and the bodywork. It only arrives with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, which is how it should be. This keeps the car for real car enthusiasts and keeps posers and lazy people away.
Unless one of the new paint options (Twister Orange, Grabber Lime, Iconic Silver, or Rapid Red) stands out, it can be challenging to notice the changes at first glance. The GT350R has adjusted its steering geometry for greater precision and to reduce the likelihood of following ruts in the road. The drilled rotors have been replaced with solid discs to increase pad longevity further and decrease fade. Ford pass Connect, which includes a web browser, Wi-Fi hotspot, and real-time traffic updates, is now standard. The 2020 GT350R will cost an additional $5,000 over the 2019 model year, bringing the starting price dangerously close to the $8,000 mark. The new Heritage package was made in honor of Ken Miles, the 1966 Le Man’s winner who drove for Carroll Shelby’s team in 1966 and led them to victory over Ferrari. He was also a successful Fastback driver and is now recognized for his company contributions.
Next-Gen Ford Mustang GT350R 2024 Redesign
Some of the best features of the modern Mustang are incorporated into the GT350, and it is otherwise identical to the standard model. Still, a few key differences will make it evident to car enthusiasts that this is special. There are still LED daytime running lights and three-bar taillights, but a new, more restrictive air dam up front helps with downforce and improves turn-in. A spoiler wing dominates the short tail that Ford absurdly calls a “swing spoiler,” The subtle fender vents work beautifully with the existing body creases, which are tight and sharp in contrast to the smooth sloping roofline. The GT350R improves the standard model by adding a carbon fiber rear wing, chin spoiler, and wheels. 19-inch rims with ten spokes are the norm. Both trim levels can get the new Heritage package, which comes in Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes and special badges.
Every dimension between the standard GT350 and the GT350R is nearly identical, except for the curb weight. The everyday GT350 tips the scales at 3,791 pounds, while the lighter GT350R weighs 3,689 pounds. Both models share the same 107.1-inch wheelbase and 75.9-inch width. The GT350 measures 188.9 inches in length, while the R, with its enhanced aerodynamics, clocks in at 189.7 inches. The R also sits lower to the ground than the standard GT350, measuring 53.6 inches in height instead of 54.2.
The GT350 comes in nine standard colors at no extra cost and in two other premium hues. You can get your Shadow Black, Grabber Lime (in its reimagined form), Oxford White, Velocity Blue, Iconic Silver, Race Red, Ford Performance Blue, or Kona Blue as a standard. The price of Rapid Red is $395, while that of Twister Orange is $405. Pricing starts at $495 for either black, white, or dark blue racing stripes. Red pinstripes outline each racing stripe option, complementing the GT350R’s standard red brake calipers. Costing $695, black roof paint is a significant investment. We think the combination of iconic silver and black stripes looks best; it brings out the best in the black accents of the mirrors, spoiler, and wheels. In honor of the year Ken Miles drove a GT350 fastback to its first victory at Green Valley Raceway in Texas, the Heritage Edition package costs an extra $1,965 and comes in Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes.
Interior
The Mustang is a high-performance daily driver due to its stellar performance and impressive cargo space. The Mustang’s cabin is more refined than ever, thanks to an evolutionary design that pays homage to classic Mustangs while being fully functional and comfortable for everyday use. There are some nice extras you can get with it, like heated and cooled front seats, but the quality of the plastics isn’t excellent, and the back seat is narrow enough for just the Headless Horseman. From our experience, it has the most internal storage space and can hold the second-most carry-on bags. The rear seat folds down and out of the way with the pull of a strap. The Mustang can accommodate as many as 12 carry-on loads with ease. The Ford’s center console bin is the largest of the vehicles we looked at.
The Sync 3 infotainment system, optional in Ford vehicles, is easy to use and looks great. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a powerful stereo are included, but it isn’t as responsive or robust as some competitors. The Mustang can be equipped with a wireless Internet connection. Ford Sync Connect is a standard feature that can manage and keep tabs on your car via your smartphone. The information provided here is for the coupe versions of the Mustang and Camaro, and it appears that the Mustang offers more passenger space. The Challenger has the most passenger and cargo space due to its wider body. Ford’s rear headroom and legroom have been slightly improved over the Camaro’s, and the Camaro hasn’t changed when comparing convertibles.
Engine
The GT350 and GT350R are the only models with the monstrous 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 engine, which generates 526 and 527 horsepower, respectively, and 429 pound-feet of torque. Since no other Mustang model is available with a manual transmission, the GT350 stands out as a true one-of-a-kind. Its flat-plane crank, which eliminates the typical American off-beat beating in favor of improved throttle response, a quieter idle, and a peak of incredible Ferrari-like noise at 8,250 rpm, is easily the most distinctive and eye-catching aspect of this vehicle. If you leave a car show with this engine note, pedestrians and car spotters won’t hear the GT350 approaching because they’ll think it’s just another Italian supercar leaving the show and heading out onto the road.
The GT350R upgrades the practicality of the vehicle by including a chin spoiler that can be used to lift people over the hood. A brilliant example of baiting the trap and sneaking up on your prey! With its razor-sharp throttle response, smooth torque delivery, and just enough power to make things exciting, the GT350 is designed for drivers who know what they’re doing and enjoy stringing together beautiful corner sequences with finesse and precision. The engine will make you happy no matter which variant you choose. The standard six-speed is also good. It clicks into place with precision and feels like a bolt, and it doesn’t punish you if you change gears as quickly as you dare.
The EPA has given the GT350 and GT350R identical ratings of 14/21/16 mpg in the city, on the highway, and in the combined cycles, despite a significant weight difference. For comparison, the upcoming Dodge Challenger SRT Widebody, which will be available with a six-speed manual transmission, achieves 16/13/21 mpg. That vehicle, however, will have significantly less downforce than the GT350. A full tank of gas for the Shelby can get you about 256 miles.
Next-Gen Ford Mustang GT350R 2024 Release Date and Price
Before adding in the $1,095 destination charge that Blue Oval levies and other fees and taxes, the base price of a GT350 is $60,440; with that sum, you can upgrade to the Voodoo V8, manual transmission, and Recaro seats. The GT350R has a more powerful engine and a lighter body thanks to extensive carbon fiber, track-focused suspension, composite wheels, and a few extra ponies. The base price for this model is $73,435, excluding fees and taxes). If you want all the trimmings and the Heritage Edition package, expect to pay around $80,000 for this top trim level. The 2024 Ford Mustang GT3 will debut in the United States in the summer of that year.