Hot Hatches are Dead. Long Live the Mustang!
Last year, Ford announced the discontinuation of all but two models of its lineup of cars in North America. By 2020, we will bid farewell to the Fiesta ST, Focus ST and even the RS. Sadly, the hot hatches were all absent from the Ford Canada booth this year.
All is not lost however. Sitting besides the Ford GT supercar was the 2020 Shelby GT500. Equipped with the same 5.2L Voodoo flat-plane crank V8 as the GT350, it is now making over 700 hp with the help of a 2.6L Eaton supercharger!
Interestingly, the GT500 will be the first Mustang ever to be equipped with a dual-clutch gearbox (Tremec seven speed). The aggressive aero package is derived from the GT350R-C GT4 racecar.
With the Shelby GT500, it is clear that Ford is aiming to shed the one-trick-pony reputation of the previous car. Only time will tell if the ultimate evolution of the Mustang will be capable of outdragging the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and outlapping the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.