Quick Highlights:
- With a supercharged 5.0-liter Coyote V8 pushing over 850 horsepower, the Super Snake-R turns the Mustang Dark Horse into something that barely feels street-legal.
- Carbon fiber and magnesium bits keep it light and surprisingly nimble, even with all that extra power.
- The suspension is serious stuff — spherical bushings and fully adjustable coil-overs give it a planted, track-ready feel.
- Hood, splitter, and rear wing all use carbon fiber to slice through the air and keep things stable at speed.
- This limited “R” edition is the first to wear the badge while still keeping Ford’s warranty intact.
Building on the Mustang Dark Horse, Shelby has taken things up a notch with the 2026 Super Snake-R. This R edition is lighter, more powerful, and sharper than ever, turning a muscle car you thought you knew into a snarling, track-ready beast. The GT350 returned with 810 HP and showed what Shelby could do with 5.0-liter performance, and now the Super Snake-R pushes that envelope even further. Its supercharged 5.0-liter Coyote V8 cranks out over 850 horsepower, giving the Dark Horse a dose of pure adrenaline. Lightweight carbon fiber and magnesium pieces keep it surprisingly nimble, while the aero upgrades — hood, splitter, and rear wing — hold it flat when you push it hard. Limited in production and carrying the first-ever “R” badge.
Power Upgrade That Changes Everything
The Shelby Super Snake-R pushes harder than Ford’s Mustang GTD, which starts at $325,000, yet it costs almost $100,000 less. Its 5.0-liter Coyote V8 — now fitted with a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger — pushes past 850 horsepower on 93-octane fuel, paired with either a Tremec TR-3160 six-speed manual (for those who like full control) or a 10-speed automatic, which makes harnessing all that power a bit more effortless. Shelby didn’t just bolt on a supercharger — the cooling system, half-shafts, and Borla cat-back exhaust are all upgraded to handle the heat. As Gary Patterson from Shelby American says, this car takes the already capable Coyote and turns it into a beast that’s ready for the track but still easy to live with on the street.
Lightweight Engineering and Aerodynamics
Under the car and across its body, the 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R shows how far Shelby went to save weight and boost performance. The widebody combines metallic rear panels with carbon fiber front fenders, giving the Mustang a low, aggressive stance. Carbon fiber pieces — from hood vents and front splitter to rocker wickers, rear wing, and lower diffuser — trim pounds while guiding airflow. The front fascia and bumper are shaped for both efficiency and impact, while tinted windows, Super Snake-R stripes, and badges finish the track-focused look.
Out back, massive 20″x13″ magnesium wheels sit under flared fenders, helping the car stick to the road around every bend. A carbon rear diffuser, ducktail spoiler, and Super Snake-R pedestal wing keep the car stable at high speed. Every panel, vent, and wing serves a job — lightweight materials and smart aerodynamics work together to handle the 850+ horsepower with poise, reflecting Shelby’s racing roots and the new R-level upgrades Joe Conway talked about.
Race-Grade Suspension and Track-Ready Handling
Adding over 850 horsepower requires serious suspension upgrades. The Super Snake-R comes with fully adjustable coil-overs, letting drivers dial in ride height and damping for street or track. Metal spherical bushings replace rubber, giving precise steering feedback and sharper handling.
Front and rear sway bars reduce body roll, while caster/camber plates keep the tires planted in tight corners. A rear harness strut bar ties the shock towers together, stiffening the chassis, while urethane cradle mounts add extra stability. Each adjustment ensures drivers can push the Super Snake-R hard without losing control. Vince LaViolette, Shelby American’s VP of Operations, notes it “feels far more solid and connected than any Super Snake we’ve built.”
The widebody stance really comes alive with massive 20″x13″ rear and 20″x11″ front forged magnesium wheels wrapped in Michelin performance tires. Upgraded brakes, reinforced chassis points, and a Borla cat-back exhaust work together to keep the 4,004-pound (1,817 kg) car surprisingly nimble, whether on track or street.
The First ‘R’ Badge: Limited Edition Status and Warranty
The 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R marks a milestone for Shelby, introducing the first-ever “R” badge in the Super Snake lineage. While previous Super Snake models were already limited—250 units in 2024, 298 in 2023, and 300 in 2025 in the U.S.—the R edition is expected to be produced in an even smaller run, making it exceptionally rare.
Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American, explains, “The Shelby Super Snake’s roots go back to 1967, built for high-speed runs on the racetrack. The ‘R’ designation has never been applied before, but this model earns it thanks to a higher level of performance and exclusive engineering.”
It remains fully covered under a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, and Ford’s powertrain coverage is intact, ensuring that this limited-edition beast is as dependable as it is potent.
Interior Upgrades: Driver-Focused and Functional
Inside, the Super Snake-R’s cabin is pure Shelby craftsmanship. Leather seats with embroidered Super Snake-R logos and Alcantara inserts keep you planted in every corner, while the rear seat delete and harness strut bar make the cabin lighter and stiffer for the track. Serialized dash and engine plaques show off the car’s exclusivity, and thoughtful touches like the billet shifter knob (manual only), push-to-start button, embroidered floor mats, Super Snake door sill plates, puddle lamps (700A package), and carbon fiber radiator cover bring both style and function together.
Pricing, Availability, and Enthusiast Appeal
Built on the S650 Mustang platform, this R edition is the most aggressive Super Snake yet. Priced from $224,995 (including the 600A Dark Horse), it’s offered through select Shelby distributors in the U.S. and a handful of international locations, with each example recorded in Shelby’s official registry.
For enthusiasts, it’s a unique opportunity to own a limited-edition, street-legal track machine that delivers raw performance without sacrificing everyday drivability, earning its place among Underrated Street Racing Cars.
Final Thoughts: Why the 2026 Super Snake-R Is a Mustang Like No Other
Amazing engineering behind this car shows in how it drives: over 850 horsepower doesn’t feel reckless, it feels connected. Every carbon fiber panel, suspension tweak, and pound saved is there for one reason—performance that translates instantly from track to street. Push hard in a corner, and the car responds like it’s reading your mind.
Against rivals like the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Porsche 911 Turbo, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, and Maserati MC20, the Super Snake-R isn’t just raw power—it’s control, precision, and focus in a muscle car. The limited run, first-ever “R” badge, and Shelby’s racing roots make it more than a Mustang—it’s a collectible you can drive hard.
Owners can also personalize their Super Snake-R with five striking factory colors: Grabber Blue Metallic, Race Red, Oxford White, Shadow Black, and Carbonized Gray Metallic—plus optional stripes, allowing each car to reflect its owner’s style while emphasizing the aggressive widebody stance.
Source: Shelby
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