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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
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Caught testing...an IRS Mustang coming?
2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT600 - 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT600 Spy Photos on RoadandTrack.com
Shopping Tools Vehicle History Report Advertisement 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 Slideshow >> 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.
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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06-16-2011, 09:35 AM
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More of an angle with independent rear suspension?
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1977 911S Targa 2.7L (CIS) Silver/Black 2012 Infiniti G37X Coupe (AWD) 3.7L Black on Black 1989 modified Scat II HP Hovercraft George, Architect |
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06-16-2011, 10:07 AM
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Information Junky
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: an island, upper left coast, USA
Posts: 73,189
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cutting edge technology.
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee. 
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06-16-2011, 10:32 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,874
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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06-16-2011, 10:51 AM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 55,874
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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.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
Last edited by masraum; 06-16-2011 at 10:57 AM.. |
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06-16-2011, 10:52 AM
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FUSHIGI
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: somewhere between here and there
Posts: 10,734
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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.
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06-16-2011, 06:34 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 19,910
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IRS. Welcome to the 21st century.
Sherwood |
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06-17-2011, 05:00 PM
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Burn the fire.
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[x] Working | [_] Broken: 2017 Victory Octane [x] Working | [_] Broken: 2005 Ram 1500 SLT w/5.7L Hemi "Drive it like you stole it." |
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06-17-2011, 05:31 PM
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1977 Porsche 911S 2.7L
2017 Victory Octane
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT
