574kW Shelby V8 super ute gets production greenlight

Shelby has announced it’s putting its F-150 Super Snake Sport into production in 2020 due to immense public interest on the super ute which made its debut at the SEMA show as a concept.

Shelby American, which is normally associated with pumped-up Mustangs, claims its F-150-based ute will make a monstrous 574kW (770hp) of power; or a mighty 209kW more than the Chevy Corvette C8.

The colossal power means the ute will blast from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in a speedy 3.45 seconds, while 0-160km/h is dispatched in just 8.3 seconds.

The substantial boost in power comes courtesy of a supercharger that’s been married to the Ford’s 5.0-litre V8. A cheaper, naturally aspirated version churning out 294kW (395hp) is also offered but no performance specs have been released yet.

To put the extra muscle to good use, Shelby has also tweaked the ute’s chassis with new adjustable suspension to improve road holding, as well as giving it a lower, more aggressive stance. The tonneau cover at the back has similarly been redesigned to provide better downforce, while the massive 22-inch wheels are fitted with stickier rubbers.

To maximise airflow to the engine, more vents have been added to the car’s bonnet and front grille, along with the use of an open air carbon fibre performance intake system that direct more air to the engine, while the super ute’s soundtrack is taken care of by a Borla stainless steel exhaust.

Stopping power comes courtesy of a set of six-piston Baer brake up front with slotted rotors all round.

The production car will be unveiled at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction next month.