2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

If there's one thing US car-buyers love, it's image, and the 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 presents an appealing and high-status package. The GT500 name first gained legendary status back in the 1960s and has returned in the 21st century packing a massive performance punch. This is one special sixth-generation Mustang, mainly thanks to what's under that bulging hood. Powering the 2-door muscle car is a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 with a massive 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. This thing looks good, drives great, and packs all the tech you'd expect from a premium Ford product. The 2021 Shelby GT500 coupe goes up against capable competitors such as the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and even European contenders like the BMW M8 Gran Coupe.

The focus point of the 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 isn't its muscular exterior styling or its sporty interior; it's what lies underneath that hood. Ford decided to go with the 5.2-liter "Predator" V8 gas engine. This supercharged monstrosity churns out 760 hp and 625 lb-ft of torque, which it sends to the rear-wheel drivetrain via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The result is massive performance. The 0-60 mph sprint takes 3.3 seconds, and the top speed is pegged at 180 mph.

The 2021 GT500 will surely go down in the history books as one of the most capable Ford performance vehicles ever built. This steroid-addicted Pony car might not be as clever as some of its European counterparts, and its lack of most modern driving-assistance systems is worrying, but you'll soon forget about your wellbeing once you roll onto a track with this thing. The power delivery is sublime, and the Shelby GT500 can hold its own around the bends. Sure the interior shows some signs of cheap materials, and you'll spend a fortune on gas every week with its terrible fuel economy, but this Ford offers good reliability and a solid safety rating. And, at the end of the day, the pros massively outweigh those small niggles. The price of the 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby coupe is hefty, especially when you start adding optional carbon-fiber packages and other go-faster bits, but we think it's totally worth it, considering the fact that you'll be buying one of the best Mustangs ever built.

There's only one model on offer this year, but we'd suggest you review the 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500's extensive list of options, as you can easily build your perfect muscle car with a little bit of customization. If we were doing the buying, we'd get one in Antimatter Blue with an Ebony racing stripe down the middle. The only other package worth getting is the $18,500 Carbon Fiber Track Package, which adds features like 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot cup sport 2 Tires, adjustable strut top mounts, an exposed carbon-fiber instrument panel, removed rear seats, front Recaro bucket seats, splitter wickers, and a wheel locking kit.