What's A Mustang GT's Top Speed? - Vehicle Freak

• Luka Kusic

Updated on February 21, 2022

Finding a car with equal worldwide renown as the Ford Mustang is a near-impossible task. The pony car is an icon both as a sport and a muscle car and one of the most popular and longest-lasting Ford nameplates.

But just how fast can the Mustang go? It depends on a number of factors including generation, model year, engine, and editions.

The Mustang has had several sub-nameplates, such as Cobra, Bullitt, and Mach 1, but in this article, we’ll focus on the models branded with the GT badge.

The top speed of the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is 180 miles per hour, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds. The fastest Mustang GT is the Shelby GT500 from 2013 and 2014, capable of a top speed of 202 miles per hour.

The GT badge can be traced back all the way to 1982 and has been in use ever since. To give you a comprehensive answer to the question, we’re going to talk about all GT models and compare the performance stats.

Keep in mind that for the past 20 years, Ford has been electronically limiting the top speed of some GT models as a safety precaution.

First Generation Ford Mustang GT

The first Mustang GT appeared in parallel with the standard model, then known as the “GT Equipment Package”. The GT had a V8 engine, fog lamps mounted on the grille, disk brakes, and rocker-panel stripes, while the interior received a new instrument panel.

Because the GT was only a cosmetic package at the time, the performance figures are equal to those of a regular Mustang. The GT was even available with two inline-6 options, a 2.8 L and a 3.3 L Thriftpower engine.

The Windsor V8 had a displacement of 4.3L or 4.7L and was also made in a HiPo (High Power) variant.

The engineering tradition at the time was to improve and tweak engine design on a yearly basis. The large number of different power specifications combined with the age of the model makes it very difficult to find accurate performance figures, but I’ve managed to find reliable information.

Model Name	Engine	Top Speed	0-60 mph
Mustang 289	4.7L V8	110 mph	9.0 sec
Mustang 289 Hi-Po	4.7L V8	116 mph	8.2 sec
Shelby GT350	4.7L V8	124 mph	6.8 sec
Shelby GT500	7.0L V8	132 mph	7.2 sec

Second Generation Ford Mustang

It would be odd if I were to jump directly to the third generation without at least mentioning the gap between 1973 and 1978. The second generation did not make use of the GT nameplate and had come with controversial design choices, primarily the engine options.

The 2nd gen Mustang initially suffered from a serious lack of power caused by the ineffective inline-4 and V6 engines. The V8 was introduced a year after the release to solve the power issue, but the 4.9L Windsor could only deliver 140 horsepower, resulting in a top speed of 106 mph and 0-60mph acceleration of 10.5 seconds.

It was the first model to use the 5.0L badge, despite the engine’s slightly smaller capacity of 4.9 liters.

Third Generation Ford Mustang GT

In 1982, the GT nameplate would return after 13 years of absence with the slogan “The Boss is Back!”. The GT was a standard model through the rest of the production and was merged with new engines, the first being a re-engineered Windsor 4.9L V8.

The third-generation GT was also available with a 2.3L turbocharged engine that received a fuel-injection system in 1983.

The revised V8 produced more power and was the last carbureted Mustang V8, improved to a multiport fuel injection system in 1986. The V8 was continuously improved until the end of production in 1993.

Model Name	Engine	Top Speed	0-60 mph
Mustang GT 5.0L	4.9L V8	140 mph	6.1 sec
Mustang Turbo GT	2.3L I4	108 mph	11.1 sec

Fourth Generation Ford Mustang GT

The 1993 – 2004 Ford Mustang introduced the GT model a year after the initial release. The new model offered better performance and handling compared to both the previous-generation GT, but also the 1993 Mustang. The 4.9L pushrod small-block V8 engine returns, retaining the 5.0L badge.

The Mustang GTS was introduced in 1995 as a strip-down version of the classic GT. By shedding all of the non-essential components, the GTS was capable of greater performance.

The pushrod V8, effectively in production since 1968 was finally discontinued during the same year and replaced by a 4.6L SOCH V8 engine.

Model Name	Engine	Top Speed	0-60 mph
Mustang GT 5.0L	4.9L V8	137 mph	6.4 sec
Mustang GTS	4.9L V8	140 mph	6.4 sec
Mustang GT	4.6L V8	150 mph	5.4 sec

Fifth Generation Ford Mustang GT

The period between 2004 and 2014 marks the reign of the 5th generation Ford Mustang GT. Unlike previous generations, the GT is now the centerpiece of the fleet, with numerous models marked with the iconic GT badge.

The main engine was a 4.6L 3-valve SOHC Modular V8 capable of producing 300 horsepower. On the other hand, Shelby GT500 used a much more powerful 5.4L 4-valve DOHC V8 engine with an iron block and aluminum heads.

The power difference was significant, as Shebly’s engine pushed out 500 horsepower at 6,000RPM. Both engines were continuously improved and revised over the years to deliver more power and greater performance.

An all-aluminum 32-valve 5.0L DOHC V8 was used in 2011 as a replacement for the 4.6L V8. The new 5.0L could output 412 horsepower with high octane fuel, or 402 horsepower with regular gasoline. Shelby GT500 has also received an upgrade in the 5.8L Trinity V8 engine rated at 662 horsepower.

Model Name	Engine	Top Speed	0-60 mph
Mustang GT	4.6L V8	155 mph	5.0 sec
Shelby GT-H	4.6L V8	155 mph	5.0 sec
Shelby GT500	5.4L V8	155 mph	4.5 sec
Shelby GT500	5.4L V8	155 mph	5.0 sec
Shelby GT500 Super Snake	5.4L V8	200 mph	3.9 sec
Shelby GT500KR	5.4L V8	155 mph	4.3 sec
Mustang GT	5.0L V8	146 mph	4.6 sec
Shelby GT500	5.8L V8	202 mph	3.5 sec

Sixth Generation Ford Mustang GT

The current generation of Mustang GT entered production in 2014 as a 2015 model. The GT is offered in three variants: the standard Mustang GT, Shelby GT350, and Shelby GT500.

The 2015 – 2017 Mustang GT is powered by a 5.0L V8 with 435 horsepower. From 2018 to 2021 a new 5.0L engine is used with an output of 460 horsepower, slightly down powered for the 2022 model year.

The Shelby GT350 uses a 5.2L V8 that generates 526 horsepower. The Shelby GT500 was reintroduced in 2020, featuring a revised and supercharged 5.2L V8 from the Shelby GT350, now delivering 760 horsepower.

Model Name	Engine	Top Speed	0-60 mph
Mustang GT 5.0L	4,951cc V8	155 mph	4.4 sec
Mustang GT 5.0L	5,038cc V8	155 mph	3.9 sec
Shelby GT350	5.2L V8	175 mph	4.3 sec
Shelby GT500	5.2L V8	180 mph	3.3 sec

Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

The Mustang Mach-E is far from a conventional Mustang – not only is it an all-electric vehicle, but it’s also a compact crossover SUV. The Much-E shares nothing but the Mustang badge and the GT trim with its gasoline-powered cousins.

The Mach-E GT or E-GT has an 88kWh that produces 480 horsepower and a projected range of 250 miles. Acceleration from a standstill to 60 miles per hour takes 3.8 seconds, while the top speed is 124 mph.

FAQs

How fast can a Mustang GT 5.0 go?

Ford has used the 5.0 badge for decades and across several generations of the Mustang, making it difficult to give an exact figure. The slowest 5.0L is the 1979 Mustang which reaches 120 mph, while the latest GT 5.0L is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour.

What is the top speed of Mustang GT in km h?

The top speed of 155 miles per hour translates to 250 kilometers per hour, which is the maximum speed specified by the Gentlemen’s agreement. This agreement represents a verbal contract between car and motorcycle manufacturers that stops the competition for the fastest car, as speeds beyond 155mph/250kph are deemed too unsafe for a non-professional driver.

What is the top speed for a Ford Mustang?

The regular Mustang with a V6 engine is capable of reaching the electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The Shelby models have a limit raised to 175mph, while the latest Shelby GT500 will have a top speed of 180 mph. The fastest production Mustang is actually the 2014-2015 Shelby GT500 which reaches 202 mph.

Is a Mach 1 faster than a GT?

The original Mach 1 was designed as a special edition model and was significantly faster than the regular GT. Mach 1 takes 5.7 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, while the GT requires 8.3 seconds. In a quarter mile sprint, Mach 1 is more than a second faster, reaching the finish line in 13.9 seconds at speed of 103 miles per hour.

Is the Mustang GT Fast?

The straight-line performance was always a strength of the Mustang cars, especially the GT models with high-performance engines. Since 1994, all Mustangs are capable of reaching 137+ miles per hour. In fact, most Mustangs are limited to either 155mph or 175mph, although there are some exceptions capable of breaking the 200 miles per hour limit.

Is the Mustang GT a V8?

With the exception of the infamous 4-cylinder turbo GT, all Mustangs carrying the badge are powered by a V8 engine, with the 5.0L being the most popular.

What is the fastest muscle car?

The title of the fastest muscle car goes to Dodge Challenger Demon due to its unbelievably fast acceleration – it takes just 2.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 takes second place with 3.3 seconds, closely followed by Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody at 3.4 seconds.

What is Ford’s fastest car?

Ford GT is the fastest Ford vehicle with a top speed of 216 miles per hour. It takes the first three spots and is followed by the 2014 Mustang Shelby GT500 with a top speed of 202 mph.

What cars can a Mustang GT beat?

In a straight line acceleration test, the Ford Mustang GT is capable of beating a lot of high-end cars, such as the Audi S5 Coupe, BMW M2, BMW i8, Bentley Continental GT V8 S, Jaguar F-Type 400 Sport, Porsche Cayman R, Chevrolet Camaro Z28.

Is there a 4 cylinder Mustang GT?

Yes, a 4 cylinder Mustang GT was made at one point. The turbocharged 2.3L inline-4 did not deliver satisfying performance and was unreliable, making it one of the worst engines ever installed in a Mustang.

Summary

The Ford Mustang GT has had a rich history spanning several decades. Through the years, it was regarded as one of the fastest production cars and set the standard for others to follow. The latest GT can reach a top speed of 180 miles per hour, but the fastest GT has a top speed of 202 mph.