With 969 kW at maximum tune, the Code Red Shelby GT500 is capable of inducing cardiac arrest to its occupants. This doesn’t come cheap though, with a whopping modification price of R3,5 million minus the donor car.
If the Shelby GT500 didn’t cut it for its buyers, Shelby American has decided to slap a pair of turbos on in addition to high-performance engine parts and an ominous looking widebody kit resulting in this, the Code Red Shelby GT500.
The model is all about ludicrous numbers, not only the sizable price tag. Employing a 5,2-litre V8 with high-performance internals and assisted by an intercooled twin-turbocharger setup, completely revised fuel system and engine management – the embodiment of the American muscle car in this form is now capable of some impressive performance figures.
Shelby American states that running 93 octane fuel, it is capable of 746 kW and 1 058 N.m while E85 Ethanol will push those already ludicrous numbers up to an unbelievable 969 kW and 1 356 N.m. This all makes the 670 kW R4.4 million Shelby GT500KR seem like child’s play.
This isn’t the first experimental or Code Red model that Shelby American has tinkered with. The first GT500 Code Red made its debut in 2008 and employed a twin-turbocharged 5,4-litre V8; however high costs kerbed its production. Now, the iconic American tuning company cited that “many of the issues we encountered 14 years ago no longer exist,” which is why we get to marvel at the Code Red Shelby GT500 now.
Most obviously, the tuned model has also received a considerable amount of work to its exterior which includes a widebody with new wheels, tyres, suspension tuned for harcore treatment and some carbon fibre components throughout the car.
Only 10 Code Red Shelby GT500 models will be made using the 2020-2022 Shelby GT500 as a base car. In addition to the R3,5 million conversion, each buyer will be provided a Team Shelby membership with each model being documented in the official Shelby Registry.
