When we drove the 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, we were so impressed with its the magnetorheological dampers, we thought "they should be mandatory equipment." Unfortunately, in order to get the MagneRide suspension, you had to spring for the $6500 optional track package. But for 2017, that might no longer be the case.

Update: This post was originally published on February 17th, 2016; it has been updated to reflect that the Track Package has now been confirmed by Automobile as standard equipment for 2017.

Mustang6G reports that Ford is going to eliminate the Shelby GT350's optional track package for the next model year, making all those components standard. If this rumor proves true, that means MagneRide, the aluminum tower brace, and upgraded transmission and differential cooling would be included in the base car, making the Shelby GT350 ready for track duty right out of the box, and closing the gap between it and the even more hardcore Shelby GT350R. Mustang6G also claims the bigger trunklid spoiler from the GT350R will now come as standard equipment on the regular GT350, which is totally cool by us.

We're hoping this ends up being legitimate (Update: It is), and odds are pretty good that it is. The Mustang6G forums have been a treasure trove of information throughout the genesis of the GT350, leaking horsepower figures, pricing, option package details, and order guides long before any of that intel was publicly available.

Unfortunately, there's no word whether making the track package standard will increase the Shelby GT350's price.

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