Catch Me If You Can, Says Shelby GT350R to a Tuned Mercedes-AMG C63 S

Besides, if you were lucky enough to grab a 2020 Shelby GT350R, then you also got to enjoy a series of revisions inspired by the previously-mentioned GT500. Ford engineers added a new steering rack with recalibrated power steering, redesigned front suspension geometry, standard FordPass Connect, and multiple new exterior colors.

Of course, none of those things are going to make any difference in a straight line, especially against a similarly powerful opponent with considerably faster gear-change capabilities. Even when stock, a Mercedes-AMG C63 S will put down 503 hp (510 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. Everything then goes to the rear wheels with the help of a blistering fast 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Meanwhile, any Shelby GT350R driver would have to change gears themselves using a 6-speed manual, and while that might be more fun sometimes, it’s certainly a lot less efficient than having the car’s computer brain do the shifting for you - by the way, this is in part why manual gearboxes will one day go extinct.

We also know that the AMG in question here features a Stage 1 93 tune, so on paper, it should have about the same, or perhaps even a bit more grunt than the GT350R, with its stock 5.2-liter V8 producing 526 hp (533 PS) and 429 lb-ft (582 Nm) of torque.

In the end, while the Shelby GT350R driver had plenty of reasons to feel confident (powerful, lightweight car, plus the fact that they raced from a roll so grip wouldn’t be an issue), trying to overcome the AMG’s gearbox advantage was always going to be a tall order. The results, as you can see, are beyond conclusive.