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The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has always served as a bragging point for the Mustang lineup. However, the GT500 doesn’t have a trademark on speed, and some production cars will eagerly outrun the Mustang model. So, what kind of car is faster than the venerable S550 Shelby GT500?

What car is faster than an S550 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500?

An orange 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 look like there's no faster car while sitting in front of a hangar.
2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 | Ford

Despite the sixth-generation (S550) Ford Mustang Shelby GT500’s explosive power and track chops, several cars have higher top speeds and faster acceleration figures. 

  • Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
  • Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
  • Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C8)
  • Nissan GT-R

Oh, speed-obsessed reader, it should be said that outrunning a late-model S550 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is no easy feat. The Shelby hit 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds on its way to an 11.3-second quarter mile in Car and Driver’s testing. Further, the 760-horsepower 5.2L Predator V8 will thrust the Shelby to a top speed of around 180 mph. 

Is a Porsche 911 faster than a Shelby GT500?

The 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS will blitz a sprint to 60 mph in around 2.8 seconds, over half a second faster than the Shelby GT500. Moreover, the 287-horsepower disparity isn’t enough to show the 911 Carrera GTS a set of GT500 taillights in the quarter mile. 

The 992-generation 911 model will finish the quarter-mile run in around 10.9 seconds, 0.4 seconds ahead of the Shelby. Of course, the lighter, well-balanced 911 model will demand a premium over the Shelby. A 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS starts at about $152,550, nearly twice as much as the now-discontinued Shelby Mustang. 

Can a GT500 beat a ZL1?

A bright red Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE takes on the storied Nürburgring.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE | General Motors

Arguably the best pound-for-pound rival for the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE has the Mustang beat in a few categories. For instance, the ZL1 1LE will match the GT500’s 0 to 60 mph sprint, although the Camaro’s 190-mile claimed top speed is faster than the GT500.

Moreover, the ZL1 will continue production for another year, and the coupe’s base price still undercuts the now-discontinued Shelby. Specifically, the 2024 ZL1 Coupe starts at around $76,295, nearly $4,500 less than the Shelby’s 2022 starting price.     

Is a GT500 faster than a Corvette?

A 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 shows off its flat-plane 5.5L LT6 V8.
The 5.5L V8 in the C8 Z06 | Erik Sherman, MotorBiscuit

Despite their shared star-spangled origins, the C8-generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is much faster than the 2022 Shelby GT500. The 670-horsepower C8 Z06 will hit 60 mph in 2.6 seconds on its way to a blistering 10.5-second quarter mile. That’s nearly 0.8 seconds quicker in both evaluations. 

Of course, the Z06 employs a razor-sharp midengine platform with better weight distribution and less weight to distribute in the first place. As a result, the Z06 is much more of a supercar than a bleeding-edge muscle car. 

Is a GT-R faster than a GT500?

The Nissan GT-R is the Japanese marque’s grippy, all-wheel drive halo car with supercar-stomping performance credentials. What’s better, the GT-R will hit 60 mph in around 3.0 seconds, nearly half a second quicker than a Shelby GT500.

Want to know more about the ballistic Shelby GT500? Read more about the iconic American nameplate in our Shelby library!