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2020 GT350R first drive reviews are in

CliffClavin

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First drive reviews of the 2020 GT350R

Automobile - 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Review: Yep, Still Magical
Autoblog - 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R first track drive | Sublime in Lime
Autoweek - 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R First Drive: Stick and Move
Cars.com - 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R - Track Ready, Street Capable
Motor1 - 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R First Drive: Don’t Be Intimidated
Hotrod - First Drive! 2020 Shelby GT350R Is Still King of the Stick-Shift Stallions
Roadshow - 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R first drive review: Prescription strength grip and balance
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svassh

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So did the 2020 R just now get the GT500 upgrades to the suspension that the 2019 GT350 did? Hard to figure why they did that to the 2019 GT350 but not the R model.
 

Demonic

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The upgrade to the R was the steering rack and steering knuckles from the GT500. The GT350 is still using the standard GT350 knuckles from what I understand. The tie rod connection on the GT500 knuckle would create a longer lever arm for the steering rack to work on, so you'd get less push back from the wheels. I like the idea, but I'm curious whether it also numbed the steering feedback a bit.
 
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I am Jeff

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I just read all those articles and not one of them emphasizes any substantial improvements over the prior 2019 GT350Rs. So that tells me that anyone who is on the fence over a 2019 vs 2020 GT350R, save your money and buy a 19, unless you want to pay 6k more plus whatever markup dealers are charging for a 2020 model.
 

JR369

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I just read all those articles and not one of them emphasizes any substantial improvements over the prior 2019 GT350Rs. So that tells me that anyone who is on the fence over a 2019 vs 2020 GT350R, save your money and buy a 19, unless you want to pay 6k more plus whatever markup dealers are charging for a 2020 model.
Agree. A marked down later prod 19 R is the way to go. I'm having a blast with my 18 R even tho it's an antique now...with 4700 miles. LOL.
 

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svttim

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I believe the 19 did not get the knuckle and rack. It did get the ABS and Magnaride updates. I think anyway
 

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Interesting that 2 separate articles compare it to an Alfa Romeo, not usually a benchmark for anything because most folks aren't very familiar with them. And a different 2 articles list the power as 527HP, not 526.

Almost like these "journalists" are lazy and copying something that has been spoon fed to them ... what are the odds of two independent authors separately driving the R and thinking "this turn-in is even better than an Alfa Romeo?"
 

Demonic

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Interesting that 2 separate articles compare it to an Alfa Romeo, not usually a benchmark for anything because most folks aren't very familiar with them. And a different 2 articles list the power as 527HP, not 526.

Almost like these "journalists" are lazy and copying something that has been spoon fed to them ... what are the odds of two independent authors separately driving the R and thinking "this turn-in is even better than an Alfa Romeo?"
I think we might be seeing a combination of certain sites buying content to republish along with regurgitating info they were given in a press pack. I love how in the comments one person complains about the range being less than a Tesla. You can't make this stuff up...
 
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Alain

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I'm glad I snagged a 2019 R. I wouldn't want to pay the extra dough for the 2020 models.

anyone know if the new suspension parts can be added to the 2019 models?
 

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Demonic

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I'm glad I snagged a 2019 R. I wouldn't want to pay the extra dough for the 2020 models.

anyone know if the new suspension parts can be added to the 2019 models?
I already wondered the same thing and tried to look into it, but I assume it'll be some time before we're able to get a good side by side picture of the knuckles. Unless anyone with a 2020 R is willing to remove their front wheel and rotor to get some pics for us? :beer: If the only difference really is just the mounting point for the steering tie rod moving slightly, and the original tie rod adjustment has enough range of adjustment to increase the bit of length needed to reach the new mounting point farther from the hub axis, then I believe it would work. If the stock tie rods aren't long enough to reach, companies like Steeda make tie rod extenders for Mustangs that have been lowered so much it affects the steering geometry.

I'm going to borrow Epiphany's Caliperfexion pic because it shows a great angle of the GT350 hub. You can see the steering linkage connection on the left side towards the front of the hub. If all they did was move that slightly, then I think it would be possible to adapt to a current GT350. Grant it it may not work as well with the existing steering rack, but I think it might still help, assuming it doesn't deaden the steering feedback. Now if they completely relocated it, that could be a different story. Part of the tricky thing is figuring out exactly what Ford means when they say a "high-trail steering knuckle", since I haven't heard that term before in suspensions. Ironically, if you google it, all the hits are from the Ford press release articles...
Image00016.jpg
 

svassh

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Interesting that 2 separate articles compare it to an Alfa Romeo, not usually a benchmark for anything because most folks aren't very familiar with them. And a different 2 articles list the power as 527HP, not 526.

Almost like these "journalists" are lazy and copying something that has been spoon fed to them ... what are the odds of two independent authors separately driving the R and thinking "this turn-in is even better than an Alfa Romeo?"
Actually Ford now lists the 2020 GT350 at 527hp

https://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/models/shelby-gt350r/
 

Demonic

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Huh, then 2 got it right and third got it wrong. I didn't realize that. Was 1 horse still hiding in the barn or something?
I’m wondering if it was based on a recertification since identical engines will naturally vary by a few hp anyway.
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