For over a decade now, Shelby has been making world beaters out of Ford’s Mustangs. The American design house always surprises enthusiasts in the manner it manages to find ways of making the sports cars better with each new release. This time round, the automaker decided to bring back the Super Snake wide body onto this generation’s Mustang. It’s been over a decade since we saw the last Mustang with a wide body. In addition to the wide body, Shelby has hooked up the Mustang with a range of performance upgrades that make the new Super Snake a monster on the tracks. However, unless you look keenly, it is difficult to tell the model from the regular-size Mustang Super Snake. The new “snake” still features similar spoilers, side skirts and diffuser as the regular Super Snake. The 2017 Ford Mustang Shelby Super Snake Wide Body Concept was unveiled on May 20th during Carroll Shelby’s annual Tribute and Car Show in California. During the launch, Ford also unveiled the 2017 Ford F-150 Super Snake (reviewed separately), a performance-oriented, street-legal pick-up truck. The two “serpents” actually share the same V-8 power-plant.
2017 Ford Mustang Shelby Super Snake Wide Body Concept Exterior
As said earlier, the exterior of the wide Mustang Super Snake is similar to that of the regular Super Snake. The only major difference is the increased track size by 2.5 inches in front and 4 inches at the rear. The model also rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot SportCup II wheels with a 12.5-inch width at the rear and 11-inch width for the front wheels. Other features include rear quarter panels, vented front fenders, a rocker styling kit, extended wheel lugs, rear control arms as well as performance spindles.
Interior
Shelby has not released interior details of this wide body serpent. However, I expect the model to receive an upgrade if Shelby decides to take it into production which I think is very likely. In case that happens, I would expect to see a large touch-screen. The screen comes in handy in reviewing one’s performance at the tracks as well as displaying importance details about the vehicle as one does his/her rounds at the tracks.
Engine and performance
As said earlier, the Mustang shares its engine with the F-150 Super Snake. The unit is a supercharged 5.0 L, V-8 engine that Shelby has tweaked to produce a whopping 750 horses just like on the regular Mustang Super Snakes.
Shelby did not reveal actual performance figures of the wide body serpent but regular models take 3.5 seconds to run from a standstill position to 60 mph.
The extra 4 inches for the rear track and 2.5 inches at the front enabled the automaker to enhance the Mustang’s handling. Handling is further enhanced by the vehicle’s fully adjustable coil-over suspension system and larger wheels wrapped in performance tires for extra grip.
Stopping power for the gigantic mill is courtesy of larger Brembo brakes that feature 16-inch discs with 6-piston calipers at the front and 14-inch discs with 4-piston calipers at the rear.
Price and release date
Being just a concept, Shelby did not accompany the Mustang’s release with an official price tag. I expect the automaker to take the model into production in the nearby future as the “serpent” has been received well by enthusiasts across the globe just for the few days it has been on the limelight.
