The Super Snake Roars Back
Ram thought it had the last laugh with its 777-horsepower Rumble Bee, a truck designed to shake the very foundations of your driveway. But Shelby American, never one to let a rival steal the thunder, has unleashed its own beast: the F-150 Super Snake, packing a ludicrous 810 horsepower. This isn’t just a truck; it’s a declaration of war on sensible horsepower figures, a rolling testament to the idea that more is always better, especially when it comes with a supercharger whine.
For those who believe pickup trucks should be less about hauling lumber and more about leaving tire marks on the moon, Shelby’s latest creation is a siren song. It takes a perfectly capable Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew and injects it with enough venom to make a king cobra blush. The result is a truck that looks as aggressive as it sounds, and sounds like a jet fighter preparing for takeoff.
More Than Just Horsepower
Underneath that menacing dual-intake ram-air hood lies the heart of the beast: a Ford 5.0-liter Coyote V8. But this isn’t your garden-variety Coyote. Shelby bolts on a Stage 2 supercharger, a high-flow air filter, a performance intake, and a carbon fiber intake tube. Add in an aluminum heat exchanger and a Borla exhaust system, and you’ve got a recipe for pure, unadulterated fury. The output more than doubles, leaping from a respectable 400 hp to a staggering 810 hp. Previous Super Snakes were content with “mere” 775 hp, but clearly, that wasn’t enough.
This dramatic power increase isn’t just for show. It’s for making sure that when you merge onto the highway, you do so with the authority of a meteor strike. The sound alone is enough to make lesser vehicles reconsider their life choices. It’s the kind of exhaust note that rattles windows and makes dogs howl in sympathetic agony.
Taming the Beast: Handling Upgrades
With 810 horsepower on tap, simply having a straight line is a dangerous proposition. Shelby knows this. That’s why the Super Snake isn’t just about brute force; it’s also about control. The suspension gets a serious workout with KING adjustable coilovers, allowing for a ride height that’s both aggressive and, dare we say, functional. Forget the lumbering truck feel; this F-150 is designed to hug corners like a desperate lover.
Further enhancing its road-holding capabilities are Baer drilled and slotted rotors, ensuring you can actually stop this runaway train when needed. Shelby-exclusive adjustable lowered suspension and rear performance traction bars keep the power planted, while Michelin Pilot Sport tires provide the grip. These aren’t just tires; they’re the last line of defense between you and a spectacular, albeit expensive, spin.
A Visual Assault on the Senses
Shelby doesn’t do subtle. The F-150 Super Snake is a visual spectacle, a truck that demands attention. The dual-intake ram-air hood isn’t just functional; it’s a statement. The painted grille, aggressive body kit with ground effects, and signature racing stripes scream performance. A body-color tonneau cover adds a sleek finish, while massive 22-inch wheels fill the arches with purpose.
And because nobody should ever mistake this for a regular F-150, Shelby badges are liberally applied, serving as constant reminders of the venomous power lurking within. Ten color options are available, from the fiery Ruby Red to the stately Oxford White, each one ready to be adorned with Shelby’s iconic livery. It’s a truck that looks like it’s already won the race, even when parked.
- Engine: 5.0L Coyote V8 with Stage 2 Supercharger
- Horsepower: 810 hp
- Suspension: KING adjustable coilovers, Shelby lowered suspension
- Wheels: 22-inch
- Production: Limited to 600 units
An Interior Fit for a King (of the Road)
Step inside, and the Shelby treatment continues. The cabin is adorned with top-grain leather, featuring the Shelby name proudly stitched into the seats. Billet racing pedals add a touch of motorsport flair, while embroidered floor mats and carbon fiber trim complete the high-performance ambiance. It’s a space designed to make you feel special, like you’ve earned your place behind the wheel.
Each truck comes with a Shelby Registry CSM serial number plaque, both in the cabin and proudly displayed under the hood. This isn’t just a number; it’s a mark of exclusivity, a promise that you’re driving one of a very limited run. With only 600 Super Snake units slated for production, owning one means joining a rather elite club of horsepower aficionados.
The Price of Vengeance
All this exclusivity and thunderous power comes at a price, naturally. The Shelby F-150 Super Snake starts at a cool $140,795, which includes the base F-150 Lariat. While that might sound like a king’s ransom for a pickup truck, it’s important to consider the context. Ram’s 777-hp SRT Rumble Bee is expected to fetch a hefty sum, likely north of $100,000, and it won’t be nearly as rare.
For those who crave something truly special, something that stands out in a sea of otherwise mundane trucks, the Super Snake offers a compelling, albeit expensive, proposition. Shelby backs it all with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, providing a modicum of peace of mind for such an extreme machine. It’s a warranty that hopefully won’t be tested too often by its owner’s right foot.
The Verdict: Venomous, Exclusive, and Utterly Unnecessary
The Shelby F-150 Super Snake is a glorious exercise in excess. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s incredibly rare. It’s the kind of truck that makes you question your sanity and your bank account balance simultaneously. Does the world *need* an 810-horsepower pickup truck that can outrun most sports cars? Absolutely not. But that’s precisely why we love it.
Compared to the Ram Rumble Bee, the Super Snake offers more power and, crucially, a higher degree of exclusivity. If you’re looking for a truck that whispers sophistication, look elsewhere. This is a truck that roars defiance. It’s for the buyer who understands that sometimes, the most sensible thing to do is buy the most outrageous truck you can find, especially when it’s painted in a color that matches your own personal brand of mayhem.
- Who is it for? Enthusiasts who crave extreme power, exclusivity, and a truck that’s as much a statement as it is a vehicle.
- Who should pass? Anyone who needs a truck for actual hauling, values fuel economy, or prefers their horsepower delivered with a side of subtlety.
- The bottom line: It’s an outrageously powerful, incredibly rare machine that offers bragging rights and performance far beyond what most pickup truck buyers will ever need or use.
