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The Ultimate Mustang Showdown: Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Takes On The Shelby Mustang GT500
Can the Mach-E GT’s superior power delivery hold off the mighty Shelby Mustang GT500? Read on to find out
by Khris Bharath, on LISTEN 03:58Edmunds recently got the chance to pit two of the most powerful stock top-tier Mustangs against each other in a series of drag races. One of them is a treat to the ears, while the other can do some pretty spectacular launches. Any guesses? Well, the answers are obvious, aren’t they?
I am of course talking about the Shelby Mustang GT 500 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. The guys were at Willow Springs for this shootout. Now, let’s look at the numbers, shall we?
2021 Mustang Mach E GT Performance
In the yellow corner, we have the Mach-E GT Performance that’s rocking dual-electric motors with a combined output of 480 horses and 634 pound-feet of torque. You’ve got all-wheel drive as well and this practical take on the Mustang name tips the scales at 4997 pounds and costs a shy under 70 grand.
2020 Mustang Shelby GT 500
Sitting in the orange corner is a 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 that features a good ol’ V-8 under the hood. But it’s not just any V-8, but a 5.2 Liter supercharged engine that produces 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. The Shelby sends power to the rear wheels. It weighs 4168 pounds and costs $81,280.
Electric Mustang vs Gas-Powered Mustang
Now, both cars are on sticky tires, so it should be close there. But what about power delivery? Well, you only get full power on the Mach-E for about five seconds, before power is dialed down? Will that be enough to fend off the GT500? Well, let’s find out.
Round 1
Round one was pretty straightforward. A simple ¼ mile showdown. Predictably, the Mach-E GT got off the line well. The GT 500 meanwhile, struggled to put its power down, but once it got some momentum going, it began to reel in the Mach-E, which started to run out of steam, thanks to only five seconds of full power. The GT500 took the win by the thinnest of margins. So that’s around one to gas power.
Round 2
Just to be absolutely sure, the pair lineup once again to do a definitive round two. This time around, the GT500 managed to put its power down much better, the Mach-GT was indeed ahead, but not for long and the GT500 just walked it on this second pass. So it’s round two once again to the gas-powered Mustang GT500.
Roll Race
Round three was going to be a roll race from 30 mph, once they get past the cones. They use as much of the track as possible before nailing it on the main straight. Once again, the Mach-E manages to clinch the lead, and just like before, after some delay in downshifting pulled a lead of a couple of car lengths by the time the two Mustangs cross the finish line. The GT500 was doing 130 mph in the speed trap.
Conclusion
Now, the Mach-E GT obviously has better weight distribution and traction, but for now, the gas-powered GT500 sill begins supremely at the track. Their sub-four-second 0-60 mph times are very close. Maybe Ford could do an OTA update with the Mach-E GT sometime in the future so that it provides power for just that little bit longer?
Watch these Mustang’s battle it out in the video below
