The new Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 is almost ready for its showroom. Take a quick preview of one of its tech features: a customizable shift light indicator.
The feature comes standard in both the Shelby GT350 and extra hardcore Shelby GT350R. Ford says it was installed to help drivers keep their eyes on the road at critical shift.
According to a report by Car and Driver, part of the Shelby GT350's head-up display can be controlled using the driver information center in the gauge cluster. It allows the driver to set shift points and to adjust the light intensity.
There are also three pre-determined modes to choose from in setting the lights, according to Car and Driver. First is the Track mode, where the lights illuminate from each edge and meet in the center, which then indicates an up-shift. Then the Tach, where the lights illuminate progressively left-to-right as revs climb. And finally, the Drag mode, where the whole bar of lights flashes at the driver-chosen shift point.
Interestingly, the idea of the head-up display shift light indicator came from Ford engineer, Mike Makled. He had originally built a prototype version in his own car, a Taurus SHO, a few years back. "I thought, wait a minute, why don't we use that technology for our shift light on the GT350?", Makled said. "With a few tweaks, it could have a big effect on high-performance driving."
According to a report by Top Speed, visually speaking, this is one of the angriest pony cars ever created. Aside from the headlamps, the car is completely different from a base Mustang in every way.
Its 19-inch alloy wheels are lightweight but are extremely stiff. A new splitter was also installed, and every opening to funnel air into the car has been made even larger.
Its whole nose has also shrunk in every direction to reduce aerodynamic drag, making its body look like it has been stretched over the engine bay. Top Speed adds that parts of its lower hood assembly were made two inches lower than a base GT.
The 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 will be launched in the Fall. Price starts at $52,995, excluding destination and delivery, while the GT350R will clock in at $61,370.
