Shelby puts 574kW V8 super ute concept into production

Tradies with a serious need for speed can celebrate today, because Shelby has just announced it is putting a 574kW super ute into production.

Shelby’s F-150 Super Snake Sport will go on sale in 2020 due to immense public interest that was aroused by the SEMA concept car.

Based on the Ford F-150, the super ute is built by Shelby American, and has claimed power outputs of 574kW (or 770hp in Yank speak).

This is enough power to hurtle the ute from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in a brisk 3.45 seconds on route to a 0-160km/h time of 8.3 seconds.

The 5.0 litre V8 under the bonnet has benefitted from the use of a supercharger to achieve these substantial power outputs. There is also a cheaper, naturally-aspirated version pumping out 294kW (395hp). No Performance specs are available on this yet.

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The car has been designed more specifically with handling characteristics in mind thanks to new adjustable suspension which gifts it greater road holding ability and a lower, more aggressive stance.

Even the back tonneau cover has been designed to generate downforce. While this ground hugging philosophy means it should handle well on the bitumen, the super ute may not be the most suitable when heading off road thanks to 22-inch tyres and sports rubber.

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In order to maximise airflow to the engine, the front end of the car was redesigned to include more vents on both the hood and the front grill. This has given the car a much more prominent and aggressive road presence.

The use of an open air carbon fibre performance intake has allowed even more airflow into the engine to maximise power output. A Borla stainless steel exhaust gives the super ute a soundtrack worthy of the performance, for a visceral all round experience.

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To ensure that the driver has complete control over the American muscle truck, six-piston Baer brakes have been fitted up front with slotted rotors all round.

The styling of the car is distinctly Shelby. An aggressive grill coupled with a high bonnet is very typical of the American company as is the black racing stripes shown in promotional photos. The now infamous Cobra festoons the car inside and out to remind people that this is not just an F-150 with a body kit.

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Pricing for the naturally aspirated version is expected at around A$126,000 before taxes but, for around A$10,000 more, you fall into the realm of the supercharged engine with nearly double the horsepower.

Stay tuned for more updates on engine specs and official prices after the production reveal at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction next month.