Would You Buy the 2017 Shelby GTE?
By Kelly G.
Earlier this month, Shelby American released details on the upcoming “enhanced’ version of the Ford Mustang called the Shelby GTE. But do car enthusiasts really want it?
People often ask me what my dream daily driver would be. Answering that question accurately is not as easy as it sounds. You see, I enjoy driving many different types of cars. It doesn’t have to be a new model year car either; there are plenty of cars sitting on the lot at my local CarMax that I would love to take home as my “dream car” for the month!
As an enthusiast, I purchase my cars for only one reason. And that is to drive and enjoy them. At this point in my life, I am just not interested in owning a huge warehouse full of cars that are just going to sit and collect dust.
If we are talking about a “new” model dream car, one of the first cars that pops into my head (other than my re-occurring dream of daily driving a GT350R!) would be to own and drive the 2015 Shelby GT. I am a big fan of the Shelby name and think Shelby American puts out some killer performance vehicles.
So when Shelby American announced they were going to be releasing a new, affordable version of the Shelby GT, you would think I would be the first in line, right? Well, No. And to be honest, for the first time in my life, I felt a little disappointed with the 2017 Shelby GTE announcement.
For me, the 2015 Shelby GT really had it all. And Yes, I know it’s not a Shelby GT350, but it was an understandable upgrade to the Ford Mustang GT. Something I could see myself spending my hard-earned cash on.
Powered by the all-aluminum, 5.0-liter Supercharged Coyote V-8, this car was built to be driven. Top that off with the unique Shelby styling, I could see this car as my daily driver. So why was I so offended by the GTE announcement? It all boils down to disappointing the “enthusiast” in me. Let me explain. For the average car guy, if you are in the market for a new stock Mustang GT, what is one of the first things you think about?
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For me, it’s the thrill of the build. How much more bolt-on power can I get out of this 5.0 engine? It’s the commitment of putting in the work and researching the Mustang forums , listening to aftermarket exhaust tones on YouTube, and spending the time in the aftermarket wheel simulators; that is half the fun of owning a muscle car. And to me, the Shelby GTE just takes that away from the enthusiast.
According to Keith Belair, COO of Shelby American,
"“Every high-octane attribute expected of a Shelby car is incorporated into an affordable package that will be available at any of our North American mod shops. The Shelby GTE gives every fan the opportunity to drive the sports car of their dreams.”"
While I agree with most of the statement Mr. Belair made, I beg to differ with the “every fan” comment. I consider myself an “everyday fan” of the Shelby name, and I would much rather get the satisfaction of installing the upgrades to a stock Mustang GT myself. Especially when we are talking about spending an extra $17,995 to add badges, a couple styling upgrades, minor performance tweaks, and only 21 hp!
2017 Shelby GTE: A Closer Look
On Sale: 2017
Base Price: 56,495 for the GT! (Est.)/53,415 for the Ecoboost
Engine: 5.0-liter V8/2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder
Drivetrain: rear wheel drive, 6-speed manual/6-speed auto
Output: 456 hp, 424 ft-lb Torque/335 hp, 390 ft-lb Torque
0-60 time: Not yet released
Curb Weight: Not yet released
Fuel Economy: Not yet released
Shelby GTE Upgrades Include: Official Shelby badges, custom vented hood, front splitter, and rear spoiler. Ford Performance Cat-back exhaust, handling pack, and 19-inch Ford Performance wheels.
Next: Would You Buy the All Wheel Drive Challenger GT?
What are your thoughts on the new 2017 Shelby GTE? Let us know what you think @ArtofGears. Being a Ford owner myself, I know Shelby America makes some really great performance products. But as an enthusiast, I think I would rather spend the extra cash upgrading a stock Mustang GT myself, or save that extra cash for a down payment on the GT350R!