The Ford Mustang has a history of evolving with the times, from an underpowered pony car to a street-stomping muscle car to an electric vehicle (EV). However, before America’s original pony drives off into a silent EV future, Ford will introduce the seventh-generation car. Before the S650s arrive, let us celebrate some of the most powerful Ford Mustangs ever. Of course, this list doesn’t include packages like the GT500 CODE RED or specialty cars like the Shelby 1000. 

• Ford Mustang S550 Shelby GT500
• S197 Shelby GT500
• Ford Mustang Shelby GT350
• Ford Mustang Mach 1
• S550 Ford Mustang Bullitt

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is one of the most powerful Mustangs ever

The name GT500 is synonymous with top-tier Mustang performance, and the latest variations are no different. With 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 5.2L V8, the supercharged behemoth is one of the most powerful Mustangs ever to roll off the line. However, if the razor-sharp track-ready weapon isn’t enough for you, the GT500KR or GT500 CODE RED packages take things even further. 

How fast is an S197 Shelby GT500?

You might think that the newest Mustangs would be the fastest and most powerful of all, but you’d be wrong. The 2013 and 2014 Shelby GT500s are two of the most powerful and fastest mass-produced Mustangs ever. A 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 produces a stratospheric 662 horsepower with its supercharged 5.8L V8, making it one of the most powerful Mustangs ever.

However, the 2013 and 2014 models weren’t the only formidable snakes; the S197 generation GT500s produced 500 or more horsepower all the way back to 2007.  

Is the GT350 supercharged?

Although the Shelby GT350 isn’t supercharged, it is still one of the most potent names in Mustang history. The S550 generation GT350 packs a Voodoo 5.2L V8 which features a flat-plane crank instead of a cross-plane crank, allowing for a much higher redline. The result is a 526 track-ready horsepower and a soundtrack unlike any other Mustang. 

Is the Ford Mustang Mach 1 one of the most powerful Ford Mustangs ever?

The latest non-GT Mustang might not keep up with the stratospheric Shelby at the top of the food chain, but it’s nothing to dismiss. The Mach 1 features many of the same track credentials as the now-discontinued Shelby GT350, like its Tremec six-speed manual transmission and oil cooler. However, the Mach 1 uses a naturally aspirated Coyote 5.0L in a higher state of tune than the Mustang GT. The result is a 480-horsepower track star with retro graphics. 

How much horsepower does the Ford Mustang Bullitt make?

The now-discontinued S550 Ford Mustang Bullitt only ran for two model years, but it still left its mark as one of the most powerful Mustangs so far. According to MotorTrend, the 2019 and 2020 Bullitts produced 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque from their 5.0L Coyote engines. Like its S197 and SN95 predecessors, the Bullitt relied on subtlety with a debadged exterior with only two paint choices: black and the iconic Dark Highland Green. 

Scroll down to the following article to read more about collectible Ford Mustangs!