2015 Ford Performance Shelby GT350 and GT350R

1966 ex-Briggs Cunningham Shelby G.T. 350. Image Credit: Richard Olson 

2015 Ford Performance Shelby GT350 and GT350R
By: Brandon O’Brien – photos by Brandon O’Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise noted

It’s 1968 and my friend Rich is in the driver’s seat of his ex-Briggs Cunningham blue 1966 GT350. We are skipping classes and cruising from San Berdoo down to Newport Beach to do some girl watching and hopefully relocate the yellow 427 Cobra we saw the last time we were there. With Viet Nam in full swing we should be attending classes in order to keep our 2S draft board rating, but the weather, the car, and the beach are too appealing.

One of the first 1965 Shelby G.T. 350's produced. As seen at the L.A. Auto Show in November 2014. Image Credit: 2014 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 Shelby G.T.350 SFM5012 was the eighth prototype built. Image Credit: 2014 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 Shelby G.T.350 SFM5012 was the eighth prototype built. It was on display at the 2014 L.A. Auto Show. Image Credit: 2014 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Fast forward forty-seven years and Viet Nam is history, the car; it’s still around but now somewhere in Japan and Rich has wished he had never sold it. He has tried to locate the car, to no avail, and has toyed with the idea of purchasing one of the newer renditions but up to last November, nothing got the juices flowing. Today, Ford Performance has a new Shelby GT350 that will shortly be available to the motoring public.

When publicly announced in Los Angeles at the 2014 L.A. Auto Show, Ford made no prediction as to when the new car would be released. The anticipation only increased when a few weeks ago in Detroit Ford unveiled the even more impressive Shelby GT350R. Again, neither year nor date of availability was publicly made.

The 2015 Ford Performance Shelby GT350 as seen at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Even though there are differing opinions among the media as to what year it is, most of the current Ford literature is calling it a 2015 model so for the sake of continuity we will be referring to them as the 2015 GT350 and GT350R. The 2015 GT350 and GT350R are powered by a 5.2-liter Ti-VCT Flat Plane Crank engine (common on race cars) coupled to a TREMEC 6-speed manual transmission. This is coupled to a limited-slip TORSEN Differential with a 3.73 axle ratio. Since no official numbers have been released this combination is thought to yield over 500-horsepower with over 400 pound-feet of torque.

Like all the new 2015 Mustangs these cars enjoy independent rear suspension. Magna Ride will be standard on the GT350R and as an option for the GT350. This is Ford’s first application of adaptive magnetorheological shock absorbers. In order to stop all of the forward motion the GT350 is fitted with two-piece cross-drilled BREMBO six-piston front and four-piston rears with steel discs.

The aggressive front end of the 2015 Ford Performance Shelby GT350R as introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The interiors will have some special Shelby appointments but it is the seats, for me, that will make them a stand-out for the enthusiast. Both models come standard with RECARO Cloth/Miko Suede Sport seats.

If the seats in the show cars were the standard versions than these will do an exemplary job of holding both the driver and passenger through any high-G turn. It is rumored that both a Technology and Track package will be available for the GT350.

The nicely done interior as seen on the 2015 Ford Performance Shelby GT350R. Note the beautiful Recaro seats which are standard on both the GT350 and GT350R.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

So what will the GT350R offer that can’t be added (immediately) to the GT350?  From what we have been able to ascertain, the exclusive GT350R items are; 19-inch Carbon Fiber wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (305/30 ZR19 front, 315/30 ZR19 rear), wheel locking kit, Carbon Ceramic brakes up front, “unique” chassis tuning, a chin splitter, and aluminum rear bumper beam. To keep its "fighting weight" down, the GT350R loses the rear seat, air conditioning, floor mats, tire mobility kit, audio system, auxiliary audio jacks, and SYNC and USB port.

Knowing that not all GT350R owners will be using their cars exclusively for the track, an Electronics Package may be an option on the GT350R replacing some of the audio and convenience items deleted.

The aggressive rear wing and carbon fiber wheels are stock on the 2015 Ford Performance Shelby GT350R. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

If  performance was based on looks, than the 2015 Shelby GT350 will hit one out of the park. The independent rear suspension and Magna Ride dampers will go along way in helping Ford catch up with some of the competition already on the road from Chevrolet and Dodge.

Oh to be at Laguna Seca or other tracks when the magazines put these brutes through their paces.  We say well done Ford Performance. If dreams come true for Rich, there may be a follow-up report later this year or early next on what it is like to take the new Shelby GT350 out for a spin. Maybe another trip to Newport Beach to do some "girl watching".