Ford’s newest GT500 combined unmatched power with sophisticated driving technology.

Anyone following the 2020 Shelby GT500 already knows about the muscle. Barely street legal, Ford’s GT500 has a 760-horsepower engine that goes from 0 - 100 in less than 11 seconds.

The 2020 Shelby’s 760-horsepower 5.2-liter V8 engine is the most power- and torque-dense supercharged V8 in the world, with 625 ft.-lb. of torque funneled through a Tremec® TR-9070 DCT 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Meet the 2020 Shelby GT500’s Dual-Clutch Transmission

Ford Performance engineers collaborated with Tremec to design a gearbox that offers maximum driver control with fast shifting and greater performance across a wide spectrum of driving environments. The result would be the TR-9070 DCT 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

To firmly and smoothly deliver torque, the TR-9070 DCT dual-clutch transmission has a novel wet clutch system with five friction plates in the odd-gear pack for a total of 155 square inches of surface area. In the even-gear pack, six friction plates provide 136 square inches of surface area.

Transmission fluid is applied to the clutch surfaces only during thermal events for optimal cooling and minimal parasitic loss. Seven non-sequential helical forward gears with advanced triple cone synchros are carefully matched to the engine’s torque curve and are pre-selected by an electrohydraulic shift mechanism using energy-efficient low-leak solenoids that can execute shifts as quick as 80 milliseconds in sport mode.

“In many ways, this is like having two transmissions in one. On one hand, it enables performance at the outer reaches of straight-line quickness with minimal torque interruption, yet provides an incredible amount of finesse and control in track environments for maximum stability and predictability at the limits of lateral acceleration.” ~ Pat Morgan, Ford Performance powertrain manager

Shift points and clutch modulation are orchestrated by a computer-controlled mechatronics system that simultaneously reads dozens of vehicle and environmental factors – including engine and transmission rpm, driver input and g forces, and clutch and shift fork positions – to pre-select and engage the optimum shift for every driving situation.

Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are direct-wired to the transmission to avoid CAN-bus vehicle communication system delays and initiate shifts as fast as 130 milliseconds, further enhancing responsiveness and connected feel.

2020 Shelby GT500’s Drive Modes Make the Difference

Don’t be mistaken, the Shelby’s transmission isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. The reality being, Shelby owners will have to at least drive on regular roads to get to the track.

The 2020 Shelby GT500 comes with 5 drive modes to enhance the driving experience.

In normal mode, the system selects gears and shift timing for moderated, everyday driving and seamless shifting. In sport mode, shift character changes, slicing shift timing by roughly 20 percent while throttle tip-in is more responsive and rpm ranges extend longer into the maximum torque curve.

Selecting track or drag mode further changes the shift characteristics to pure performance. For maximum straight-line quickness, gear changes use “over-torque” shifts for uninterrupted power delivery, similar to powershifts that give an extra torque hit in between upshifts. Take the Shelby GT500 into a turn, however, and the transmission immediately adapts with smooth, quick and seamless shifts to ensure maximum lateral g cornering by minimizing driveline disturbances.

Drive modes aside, an rpm-selectable launch control and electronic line lock through Track Apps® enable synchronous powertrain strategies that deliver optimum quarter-mile runs, while an always-on pseudo launch control enables spirited launches at any time without having to select a drive mode.