Ford has announced it plans to keep its popular Shelby GT350 Mustang in production through model year 2018.
The Shelby Mustangs will remain unchanged from the current models other than the addition of three new colors: Orange Fury, Kona Blue, and Lead Foot Gray, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Mustangs have a 5.2 liter V8 engine that is considered the most powerful of its kind.
Mustang fans weren’t sure about the fate of the Shelby models after Dodge’s announcement about its 840 horsepower Challenger SRT Demon coupe coming in 2018, but many hoped the 526-horsepower Shelby would stick around a bit longer, the Free Press reported.
The 2017 GT350 models cost between $57,000 and $64,500, depending on which version was purchased. The GT350R added better tires, a rear wing, a larger front splitter, and some improvement on the chassis. It also left out the rear seat, camera, audio system, and other small details to reduce weight for racing purposes, according to Automotive News.
Rumors have swirled about a possible newer version of the Shelby Mustang that would have at least a 700-horsepower engine to compete with other cars currently on the market, but no confirmation of any new version currently exists, the Free Press reported.
Ford is currently dealing with a lawsuit from its 2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang owners claiming the cars overheat because they have faulty transmissions and rear differentials. According to the suit, Ford fixed the problem in its 2017 Shelby Mustangs, but told the 2016 owners they had to pay for repairs, which the owners claim breaches the warranty, Automotive News reported.