2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R revealed!

Ford has officially revealed the "most race-ready road-legal Mustang ever". Christened the Shelby GT350R, the limited edition pony car is aimed at outright performance and features design changes to make it lighter, more agile and more powerful.

Beginning with the weight savings, Ford has removed the air conditioning, infotainment system, rear seats, trunk floorboard and carpet, backup camera and emergency tire sealer and inflator. An optional Electronics Package is available to add such creature comforts. The exhaust resonators have also been removed to make it easier on the scales, while providing a sharper exhaust tone. The GT350R also gets carbon fibre wheels as standard, wrapped around by Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. Ford says changes such as these ones, have made the GT350R nearly 59 kgs lighter than the Shelby GT350 Track Pack model.

Aerodynamics have been improved with a revised hood vent, aggressive diffuser, carbon fibre rear spoiler, vented wheel wells, turbulence-reducing fender vents, wheel air curtains and side skirts.

The GT350R is powered by a 5.2-litre DOHC V8 engine and is the first-ever production V8 from Ford with a flat-plane crankshaft. This is the most powerful naturally aspirated motor Ford has ever made, with output figures coming in at over 500 bhp and 542 Nm of torque. Transmission duties are carried out by a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Exterior styling cues include red brake calipers, red pin striping at the edges of the optional over-the-top racing stripes and Shelby GT350R badging. On the inside, the car gets high-contrast red stitching, Shelby GT350R badging and the D-shaped steering wheel fitted with a red center mark at the top.

The market launch of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R will take place later in 2015.