When the Mustang becomes a snake - Shelby Super Snake‑R: Shelby built a widebody track machine with 850+ hp and magnesium wheels based on the Dark Horse. The new Shelby Super Snake‑R is not just a tribute to Carroll, it is a modern upgrade.
Under the long aluminum hood of the Shelby Super Snake‑R (with carbon extractors) remains Ford 5.0-liter Coyote V8, which 3.0-liter Whipple compressor inflates on at least 850 hp (≥634 kW). The power goes old-school challenging only on the rear wheels, but you can choose between Tremec TR‑3160 manual 6‑speed or Ford's 10-speed automatic gearbox; manual transmission still gets short-throw selector and one-way cardan shaftShelby didn't skimp on cooling (larger radiator, heat exchanger) and Shelby by Borla cat-back exhaust that breathes through an active valve. HP is declared with 93 octane fuel, and the supercharger is officially part of post-title upgrades.
Chassis: less rubber, more balls
They went all the way with Shelby: fully adjustable coilovers, front and rear stabilizer bars, caster-camber plates and – crucially – metal spherical bushings on all mountings. This means less elasticity, more millimetre precision. At the rear, the body is connected harness bar (and at the same time provide rigidity), and the brake is upgraded two-piece slotted discsThe result? A Dark Horse that rides like track-tool, not as “just” a mustang.
Magnesium, broad shoulders and aerodynamics
The crown of mechanical pornography is unidirectional forged magnesium wheels 20″x11″ front and 20″x13″ rear, wrapped in Michelin (335/35-20 rear). Only the rims reduce the rotating mass by approximately 36.75 lb (≈16.7 kg) total, that is ~9 lb (≈4.1 kg) per wheel – Shelby translates this into “driving” equivalent of ~180 lb (≈82 kg) of static massMagnesium naturally dampens vibrations and dissipates heat better, which means a more stable grip on long stints.
Bodywork? Front carbon fiber (fenders, splitter, ducts, wings), but behind metal widebody with carbon diffuser, ducktail and pedestal spoiler, which do what they promise – they increase contact with the asphalt and clean the air.
Cabin: track-day, no trackpad
The interior gets leather seats with embroidered logos, Alcantara for grip, serial plate CSM and – because this is serious R – rear seat removed and harness barEven the little things are important: billet gear ball (manual), Super Snake entry rails and puddle lights (with 700A package).
Weight and bare numbers
Despite the supercharger, body extensions and safety equipment The Super Snake‑R weighs 4,004 lb (≈1,816 kg) – this is about 116 lb (≈53 kg) more from the Dark Horse series. On dyno The graph laughs at this difference. +350hp advantages. Official figures 0–100 km/h and terminal velocities Shelby still did not publish; given the package of feelings, they will be short.
Paints, ribbons and registers (no, not the tax ones)
They carry the factory pallet Grabber Blue Metallic, Race Red, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Carbonized Gray Metallic; the strips can be satin black, blue, silver, white or them not at all (stripe delete). Each car is registered in Official Shelby Registry, and the sale is carried out through authorized Shelby distributors. Warranty? 3 years/36,000 miles on Shelby's part, Ford's powertrain warranty remains in effect.
The price that stings like a snake – Shelby Super Snake‑R
Starting at $224.995 – includes the donor: Mustang Dark Horse 600A fastback (MY2026). Yes, that's serious money, but still almost $100,000 less like Mustang GTD, which starts at $325,000 and pauses ~815 hpThe Super Snake‑R therefore has more power for fewer dollars, even though GTD remains more factory-racecar with DCT, push-pull spring levers and DRS.
Where and when did the snake sneak in?
It debuted at Monterey Car Week, which seems about right for a toxic project of this kind: full of carbon, full of chameleons, full of people who know what they're looking at. Timing and venue they do half the show, and the other half is done by the sound of the compressor.
“Super Snake” Legacy: 427 to 850+
Name Super Snake was born 1967when Carroll Shelby in GT500 plugged in 427 cc (7.0 L) GT40 racing engine and in the Goodyear test demonstrated ~170 mph (274 km/h) – marketing with my hat off. New Super Snake‑R is the most engineered reincarnation of this spirit: less romance, more data, more speed in the corners.
Spec-block (best from database): Shelby Super Snake‑R (2026)
- Model: 2026 Shelby Super Snake‑R (limited edition)
- The basis: Ford Mustang Dark Horse (S650, 600A, fastback)
- Engine: 5.0 Coyote V8 + Whipple 3.0 compressor
- Power: 850+ hp (≥634 kW)
- Gearbox: 6-speed manual Tremec TR-3160 or 10-speed automatic
- Drive: RWD
- Weight: 4,004 lb (≈1,816 kg) (+116 lbs vs. Dark Horse)
- Wheels/tires: magnesium 20″x11″ (front), 20″x13″ (rear); Michelin 335/35‑20 behind
- Chassis: coilovers, spherical bushings, stabilizers, caster-camber plates
- Brakes: two-piece slotted discs (Brembo DH calipers retained)
- Aero/bodywork: CF front, metal widebody rear, CF diffuser + vanes + wing
- Interior: Alcantara, leather, harness bar, rear seat delete, CSM tile
- The price: from $224.995 (includes donor)
- Colors: Grabber Blue Metallic, Race Red, Oxford White, Shadow Black, Carbonized Gray Metallic
- Guarantees: 3 years/36,000 mi (Shelby); Ford drivetrain remains covered
Conclusion: Shelby Super Snake‑R
Shelby Super Snake‑R is like a stand-up comedian at an engineering symposium: a little mockery, a lot of seriousnessCompared to the standard Dark Horse adds brutal horses, serious geometry, magnesium and CF – and all this for a price that, paradoxical as it may sound, more reasonable rewards those who want track day from the garage, no showcar in the living room. Yes, GTD remains more works racer, however Super Snake‑R serves more power for less money and thereby convinces most hedonists who seek lap time with lateral slip. To summarize: the most focused Super Snake ever, limited and registered, ready for circles and conversationsThe next logical step? Comparison back-to-back with GTD and time on your favorite racetrack.
