The upcoming Ford Shelby GT350 and GT350R are basically vehicles that make you run out of superlatives, fast. They are basically the most hardcore versions of the latest Mustang that you can get your hands on, from the factory at least. You could always opt for a Shelby Super Snake with over 750 hp though, if you think feel these two cars are rather lame.

Anyhow, getting back to task at hand, the GT350 and GT350R will have racing-inspired customisable shift light indicators to help drivers optimise their track times. Drivers can set their preferred shift points and light intensity, or turn off the feature entirely. When active, indicators will have three modes, specifically 'Track', 'Tach' and 'Drag'.

In Tach mode, the amber LEDs light up sequentially from the left to right as the engine revs build. While in Track mode, as the engine revs build, LEDs light up from the outside ends to the centre until the shift point is reached, then the whole LED bar flashes.

Ultimately, in Drag mode, the entire LED light bar stays dark, then flashes repeatedly when the engine reaches the preset RPM threshold. Mike Makled, electrical engineer for Shelby programmes, says that in a drag race, drivers will want maximum simplicity in a performance shift light.

Interestingly, Makled got the inspiration to come up with the design as he was driving his own Ford Taurus SHO. As he made a quick stop in traffic, the car's collision warning with brake support system flashed its red LED heads-up display. As the system bounced projected light against the reflective inner surface of the windshield, he had a 'Eureka' moment. "Wait a minute, why don't we use that technology for our shift light on the GT350?" said Makled.

The rest as they say, is history. The Performance Shift Light Indicator is standard on the Shelby GT350 and GT350R.

2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R