The name Shelby evokes emotions in car enthusiasts that only purists understand. Now, Shelby American has taken its coveted Super Snake name into uncharted territory with the 2026 Super Snake-R — a limited-edition, track-focused monster built on the Ford Mustang Dark Horse platform.
With over 850hp, a race-tuned suspension, and a body sculpted in carbon fiber and metal, this is the most extreme Super Snake ever offered. It is the perfect combination of old-school muscle and modern track engineering, delivering performance never seen before in a Shelby.
Shelby Super Snake-R Performance: Whipple-Charged Coyote Power
The Super Snake-R is powered by Ford’s Gen 4 Coyote 5.0-litre V8, now force-fed by a 3.0-litre Whipple supercharger. The result? Over 850hp on tap, leading to relentless acceleration, ready to push you deep into the seat with every jab on the loud pedal. Shelby offers two transmission choices — the Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual for purists, or a 10-speed automatic for those chasing maximum lap time or quarter mile time consistency.
The Shelby extreme cooling system keeps the supercharged V8 running strong, even during hard track sessions. Stronger half-shafts manage the extra torque, while a Borla cat-back exhaust cuts back pressure and delivers that signature Shelby roar.
Improved Handling
The new Mustang Dark Horse already acts as a fantastic base, with great handling right from the factory. Shelby’s engineers then worked their magic, building the Super Snake-R to grip tight in the corners. The fully adjustable coil-over suspension lets drivers fine-tune the setup for different tracks and driving styles. Rubber bushes are swapped for metal spherical bearings, cutting out flex and making steering sharper. A rear harness strut bar connects the rear shock towers, adding strength and stability at high speeds.
Lightweight Magnesium Wheels
The Super Snake-R rolls on magnesium alloy wheels meeting both OEM and racing standards. These wheels shave roughly 16.3kgs of weight, therefore lowering the rotational mass. The huge 13-inch-wide rear wheels fit wider Michelin tyres, giving drivers more grip to use all 850 horses. Magnesium also absorbs vibrations, making the ride more stable, even at high speeds.
Widebody Stance, Carbon Fibre Aggression
The Super Snake-R’s widebody architecture, metallic rear fenders, and carbon fiber front panels give the car its muscular, planted stance. The aerodynamic package is pure track engineering: a large carbon fiber front splitter with aluminum supports, a rear pedestal wing, and a carbon rear diffuser all work together to increase downforce and stability. Even small elements like the hood extractors, brake ducts, and fender vents are shaped to improve airflow and cooling.
Inside The Super Snake-R
Inside, the rear seats are removed, and a harness strut bar adds a race-ready feel. The front seats are covered in leather with Alcantara for extra grip in fast corners. The Super Snake-R logo is stitched into the seats, and plaques on the dash and engine show it’s a limited edition. Manual models have a billet shifter ball for a better feel, and all cars come with details like embroidered floor mats, Super Snake door sill plates, and optional puddle lamps.
Limited, Exclusive & Relentless
The Super Snake-R is Shelby’s third model on the new S650 Mustang platform, and by far the most aggressive. Production numbers will be limited to just 100 units, and each car will be recorded in the official Shelby Registry. Despite the massive power jump, widebody architecture, and upgraded suspension, the car tips the scales at just 1,816kgs, only 23.8 kilograms heavier than a standard Dark Horse.
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