Caught testing...an IRS Mustang coming?
 

2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT600 - 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT600 Spy Photos on RoadandTrack.com

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Build & Price Request a Quote Special Offers Search Dealer Caught Testing: 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT600 - Spy Shots
Ford’s Mustang goes Camaro ZL1-hunting at the Nürburgring.
By Nick Kurczewski / Photos copyright KGP Photography

June 9, 2011


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Best Spy Shots >> The stakes keep getting higher—and the performance wilder—in the ongoing muscle car battle between Ford and Chevrolet. The rivalry has now gone international, as Mustang Shelby GT500 prototypes have been photographed circulating the world famous Nürburgring. It would not surprise us to learn that Ford’s track technicians are keen to set some sort of record they prepare the Mustang to fend off a future attack from the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1.

The red prototype pictured here has cutaway grille openings, possibly for easier access to engine parts or for improved cooling. The foglamps also appear to be closed off. Perhaps Ford’s engineers were simply protecting the lenses with some rubber covers? Or maybe this is a prelude to some bigger and badder Shelby model (a GT600?), which would need big brake-cooling ducts? We’re rooting for the latter option.



Independently Minded

Of course, everyone wants to know what’s lurking under the hood. The rumor mill is swirling about talk of a twin-turbo V-8, opposed to the 550-bhp 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine presently found in the 2011 GT500. Our guess is something a little less radical, though no less capable of bumping the Camaro ZL1 (which goes on sale early next year, with an identical 550 bhp) from its performance perch. A larger displacement V-8, or additional supercharger trickery, both seem possible.

Take a very close look at those rear wheels and, from certain angles, they appear to have a mind of their own. We mean this as a compliment. That’s because in the land of Mustang, every current model continues to have a live rear axle. So does this big, bad new Mustang have independent rear suspension? It sure looks that way, based on the apparent wheel angles. Independent rear suspension does seem long overdue, and it would only make sense for the next Ford Mustang to take the fight to the competition on equal footing—if you don’t mind the pun.

How would the wheel angles differ?

More of an angle with independent rear suspension?

You can dial in camber with an IRS, but a live axle has 1 option. Straight up and down.

They did this before. I believe the Cobra R and even a year or two of regular Cobra had IRS back in the 90s or maybe early 00s (research seems to indicate '99-'04). It didn't last. For what people did with the mustang, a live axle was better/cheaper.

I believe its live axle (actually more the manner in which it is suspended) will keep the car from realizing full potential. Other than being cheap, I can't understand the rationale for a panhard bar in a car like that. There are more sophisticated ways of positively locating a live axle.

IRS. Welcome to the 21st century.

Sherwood

More like the early 20th... ;)