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| © DW Burnett/Puppyknuckles Its Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch transmission can upshift as quick as 80 milliseconds. |
As the new 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 inches closer to production, Ford is beginning to unveil more performance specs. In June, it revealed horsepower numbers for that 5.2-liter supercharged V-8. Now, we finally have a sense of just how capable the car really is.
Ford claims the new GT500 is able to sprint from 0-100 mph and back
to zero again in just 10.6 seconds. For some context, that's less than a
second off the original Bugatti Veyron's 0-100-0 time. How is it so
quick? Ford says it's a combination of things. There are available
carbon fiber wheels wrapped in super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
tires. The brake rotors measure 16.5 inches up front, which Ford claims
are the largest of any "domestic sports coupe." The 760 horsepower and
625 lb-ft of torque might also have something to do with it.
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| © DW Burnett/Puppyknuckles 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 |
Another major part of the equation is the transmission. It's a new seven-speed dual-clutch developed by Tremec that can perform upshifts in a quick as 80 milliseconds. There's a ton of tech packed inside to ensure optimal performance in any scenario. From the release:
"To firmly and smoothly deliver torque, the TR-9070 DCT dual-clutch transmission has a novel wet clutch system with five friction plates in the odd-gear pack for a total of 155 square inches of surface area. In the even-gear pack, six friction plates provide 136 square inches of surface area. Transmission fluid is applied to the clutch surfaces only during thermal events for optimal cooling and minimal parasitic loss. Seven non-sequential helical forward gears with advanced triple cone synchros are carefully matched to the engine’s torque curve and are pre-selected by an electrohydraulic shift mechanism using energy-efficient low-leak solenoids that can execute shifts as quick as 80 milliseconds in sport mode."
While in sport mode, the transmission will adapt depending on how the car is being driven. For straight line speed, the gearbox will use "over-torque" shifts for uninterrupted power delivery, which Ford says is similar to a power shift. Through turns, the transmission will automatically switch to a more seamless shift setting so as not to upset balance while cornering.
The transmission sends torque through a carbon fiber driveshaft to the rear wheels vi a 3.73 Torsen limited-slip differential with beefed-up half shafts and redesigned hubs to handle the extra power.
Ford hasn't revealed a 0-60 time for the Shelby GT500, though we're certain it's only a matter of time before it does.
"To firmly and smoothly deliver torque, the TR-9070 DCT dual-clutch transmission has a novel wet clutch system with five friction plates in the odd-gear pack for a total of 155 square inches of surface area. In the even-gear pack, six friction plates provide 136 square inches of surface area. Transmission fluid is applied to the clutch surfaces only during thermal events for optimal cooling and minimal parasitic loss. Seven non-sequential helical forward gears with advanced triple cone synchros are carefully matched to the engine’s torque curve and are pre-selected by an electrohydraulic shift mechanism using energy-efficient low-leak solenoids that can execute shifts as quick as 80 milliseconds in sport mode."
While in sport mode, the transmission will adapt depending on how the car is being driven. For straight line speed, the gearbox will use "over-torque" shifts for uninterrupted power delivery, which Ford says is similar to a power shift. Through turns, the transmission will automatically switch to a more seamless shift setting so as not to upset balance while cornering.
The transmission sends torque through a carbon fiber driveshaft to the rear wheels vi a 3.73 Torsen limited-slip differential with beefed-up half shafts and redesigned hubs to handle the extra power.
Ford hasn't revealed a 0-60 time for the Shelby GT500, though we're certain it's only a matter of time before it does.
