Shelby American has once again rewritten the rules of modern muscle. The new Shelby GT500 Code Red transforms the already potent Mustang GT500 into a 1,300-horsepower twin-turbo monster, bridging Shelby’s experimental past with a new era of engineered excess. Only 30 units will be produced worldwide, each hand-built and individually numbered.
The Experimental Legacy Returns
The Code Red name dates back to 2008, when Shelby built an experimental twin-turbo GT500 prototype that proved too wild for production. Fast forward to 2022, and that same idea has evolved into a limited-production masterpiece. The new Code Red doesn’t just pay tribute to the original, it perfects it, turning what was once a concept into a street-ready statement.
Powertrain: Twin-Turbo Brilliance
At its core lies a 5.2-liter V8 rebuilt by Fathouse Performance and fortified with forged internals, custom pistons, and high-strength rods. Twin Xona 7869S turbos replace the GT500’s factory supercharger, delivering 1,000 horsepower on 93-octane pump gas, and an astonishing 1,300 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque on E85.
The MoTeC M150 engine management system offers advanced control, with nine traction settings, rolling anti-lag, flex-fuel capability, and launch assist. The driver can adjust power from 650 to 1,200 horsepower through the factory mode selector, making this Shelby as versatile as it is violent.
Chassis and Handling
The Code Red’s performance extends far beyond raw power. It rides on Shelby’s widebody platform with forged aluminum wheels, 20×11 inches in front and 20×13 inches at the rear, wrapped in performance-spec rubber. Adjustable springs, recalibrated MagneRide suspension, and performance half-shafts ensure the chassis can handle the Code Red’s tremendous output.
Carbon Fiber Craftsmanship
Shelby integrates extensive carbon fiber across the car: hood, splitter, diffuser, rocker wings, and pedestal wing. Each component is designed with aerodynamic intent and visual aggression. Optional Le Mans-style painted stripes complete the exterior’s commanding presence.
Interior and Design Details
Inside, the Code Red balances menace and craftsmanship. Leather seat covers, embroidered floor mats, and custom badging define the cabin, while a harness bar and rear seat delete reinforce its track-focused DNA. Every detail, down to the billet aluminum engine caps, carries Shelby’s signature precision.
Performance and Production
Each GT500 Code Red is hand-built at Shelby American’s Las Vegas facility and officially recorded in the Shelby Registry. Priced from $224,995 before the base GT500, production is limited to just ten cars per model year (2020–2022). This ultra-rare edition stands as Shelby’s first-ever experimental project to evolve into full-scale production.
Summary
The Shelby GT500 Code Red is more than a tuned Mustang, it’s the rebirth of Shelby’s experimental spirit. By pairing Fathouse Performance’s twin-turbo engineering with Shelby’s craftsmanship, it creates a hypercar-level performance machine wrapped in American muscle tradition. Limited, brutal, and beautiful, the Code Red marks a defining moment in the evolution of the GT500 legacy.
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Source: Shelby American
