Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 gets explosive performance

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will come standard with supercar-humiliating levels of performance, the Blue Oval has revealed.

Thanks to the herculean 566kW of power and monstrous 847Nm of torque generated from its hand-built supercharged 5.2-litre V8, combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, the new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 can hit 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds.

Perhaps even more impressive is that Ford Performance claims the GT500 can hit the quarter-mile (402m) in 11 seconds and accelerate, from rest, to 100mph (161km/h) and back to standstill in an astonishing 10.6 seconds.

The Mustang's performance is all the more impressive when you remember the Shelby GT500 remains rear-drive.

Part of its incredible pace is down to the new transmission, which Ford says can cog-swap in less than 80 milliseconds, plus an advanced launch control system.

Reigning in the pace, the flagship Mustang comes with the largest front brakes ever fitted to a production Ford, with the Shelby GT500 getting a pair of enormous 419mm front rotors.

Buyers also get the option of a set of Australian-sourced carbon-fibre wheels and a new bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyre.

In the US prices for the Shelby GT500 have been announced to start from $73,995 ($A110,000), but it's not yet known whether either the GT350 or GT500 will ever be officially sold Down Under.