Downer: 700-HP 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Maxes Out at 290 KPH

With every iteration, Ford has sought to push the boundaries of what its iconic Mustang Shelby GT500 is capable of. But when the Blue Oval announced that the 700-HP 2020 Shelby GT500 will be limited to a 290 kph top speed, many fans felt a bit letdown, considering that the engine has so much more potential.

It's worth noting that the 2013 GT500 had only 662 hp, but it could do 324 km/h, so it's easy to see where the disappointment comes from for the latest model.

Ford reasons out that it's costlier to push a car to do 324 kph, and thought it would be more practical to install a new dual-clutch transmission and supply the car with a high-downforce aero package. This way, the new GT500 will enjoy more use in road courses and drag strips, which is currently where Ford intends the car to be.

While 290 kph is more than enough for most applications and Mustang owners, it does put the latest Shelby behind the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye--two of its fiercest rivals. Both have been proven to exceed the 320 kph threshold. However, if early reports are to be believed, the 2020 Shelby's 0-100 kph will be much quicker than the two mentioned.

Previous reports also said that the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will be out in the fall, but it looks like it will now be released in the summer instead.