Paul has a reason to gloat.....650hp GT500 debuts in LA

[kaisen]

2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Debuts In L.A. With 650-HP

2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Debuts In L.A. With 650-HP

Ford’s new Shelby GT500 Mustang has surpassed all expectations, bringing with it a brand new supercharged V-8 displacing 5.8 liters and developing no less than 650 horsepower.

Yes, you read that correctly. That’s 12 whole horsepower more than the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and 70 horsepower more than its closest rival, the upcoming Camaro ZL1. Heck, it’s even got 80 more horsepower than a Ferrari 458 Italia!

Yes, Ford’s 2013 update to the Shelby GT500 truly pushes the iconic muscle car into supercar territory, but a sledgehammer of an engine isn’t the end of the story.

Nearly every vehicle system found on the car has been optimized, from the powertrain, to the brakes, to even the gearing, suspension and aerodynamics.

Starting with the new aluminum V-8 engine, peak output is rated at 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful production V-8 in the world. It features a unique supercharger, new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle.

Now drop this epic powertrain in a car that only weighs 3,850 pounds and you can just imagine what kind of damage you could do at a race track. Ford hasn’t released any performance figures yet except that the car will do more than 200 mph. Oh, the light curb weight means it’s also exempt from the gas-guzzler tax.

The wheels measure in at 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear, and they also come in different styles, both in forged aluminum. They’re also shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires. Inside these reside a set of Brembo brakes comprised of six-piston caliper units up front (four in the rear) and more aggressive pads.

One of the most crucial modifications Ford’s engineering team from SVT made was to the gearing. Nearly every gear on the 2013 Shelby GT500 was revised to manage the torque and use more of the power in a way that makes it more driver-friendly. Engineers considered more than 35 gearing combinations, finally deciding on one that delivers less torque all the way through the wheels to the ground and still enables the car to achieve fuel economy targets.

A key piece of the driveline, the six-speed manual transmission, offers upgraded gears, bearings and housing so it can properly manage the torque. The final drive ratio is now 3.31:1. The clutch also has increased torque and rpm capacity and uses a dual-disc design.

First sales are scheduled to start by next summer. Note, Ford also plans to launch two new packages for the car. Available as part of the optional Performance Package, SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers are accessed on the dash with a simple push of a button, which allow between comfort and sport modes. A Torsen limited-slip differential also comes with this Performance Package.

Customers can also upgrade their Performance Package with an additional Track Package. The option comes with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler for further durability.

[Cornpanzer]

Would be great if you could get that driveline in the standard Mustang GT. I hate the Shelby styling.

[GH85Carrera]

Did they get rid of the solid rear axle?

That thing should be a rocket if and when the tires hook up.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Cornpanzer

Would be great if you could get that driveline in the standard Mustang GT. I hate the Shelby styling.

I agree. But I'd think the slats, vents, scoops, and bulges are likely rather necessary to cool the additional 200+ horsepower over the GT

[VincentVega]

Wow, impressive engine.

I'm a little confused by this though

Now drop this epic powertrain in a car that only weighs 3,850 pounds and you can just imagine what kind of damage you could do at a race track. Ford hasn’t released any performance figures yet except that the car will do more than 200 mph. Oh, the light curb weight

Is it really 3850 lbs? Is that really considered lightweight? I'm sure 650hp makes it feel light though.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Is it really 3850 lbs? Is that really considered lightweight? I'm sure 650hp makes it feel light though.

It's 250 pounds lighter than the 580hp Camaro ZL1, so it's relatively light

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by kaisen

..., so it's relatively light

It's relatively ugly too ...

Fast, I'm sure, but ugly.

[VincentVega]

It's 250 pounds lighter than the 580hp Camaro ZL1, so it's relatively light

Good point, it's just a shame the bar is pretty low here.

I wish they put some of the engine r&d $$ into making it light weight and simple. I'm sure I'm not their target market though.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Good point, it's just a shame the bar is pretty low here.

I wish they put some of the engine r&d $$ into making it light weight and simple. I'm sure I'm not their target market though.

That's what the Boss 302 is for. And there are lightweight versions coming......

BTW, there is a Camaro ZL1 in the skunkworks that went on a carbon diet and is under 3500lbs.

The Camaro team is in a pickle. Ford has no halo car over the GT500. Chevrolet has to be careful playing head-on horsepower wars with this 650 hp Mustang, as the Corvette ZR1 is "only" 638hp. So maybe they'll turn up the wick on the Vette and offer the 2.3L supercharger in the Camaro for a little better than 650hp. This is their dillema.

[pwd72s]

Can it keep up with a well set up 944?

Man, this is getting a bit crazy. My lowly Bullitt Mustang has gobs of torque & 315 horsepower.
I can only imagine what twice as much would feel like. Scary fast...no place for this old man.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Can it keep up with a well set up 944?

Only in a straight line

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Did they get rid of the solid rear axle?

That thing should be a rocket if and when the tires hook up.

Though some will never admit it, the live rear axle puts the power down when exiting a turn better than an independent suspension.

This is not my thinking...a paraphrased quote from none other than Randy Probst while doing a comparison test for Motor Trend...he said this after exiting a Boss 302 Mustang.

[AirKuhl]

It's probably a nice engine and all, but I'll take 480 bhp in 2850lbs over this thing all day long. Same hp/lb but better in every other way IMO.

[Jim Bremner]

The solid axle is a throw-back in alot of peoples eyes. Think about trans-am race cars all had solid axles. Yes it could be made to handle mo'better with a irs but at what cost? would the average joe ever be able to tune the irs to it's limit at the track?

I'm just thankfull that DETROIT is at war! That and theirs not some ******* trying to shut this type of car down.

I wish that Dodge would up theCharger as well.

It is sad to me that my '06 Chevette with a road race package would have it's backside handed to it by a mustang with an equal driver. ( Yes, the Corvette has IRS and would still get whomped by this new mustang)

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by AirKuhl

It's probably a nice engine and all, but I'll take 480 bhp in 2850lbs over this thing all day long. Same hp/lb but better in every other way IMO.

That's describes the beast that I'm building. I have no love for these portly new cars.

[strupgolf]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

It's relatively ugly too ...

Fast, I'm sure, but ugly.

My thoughts exactly.

[AirKuhl]

Originally Posted by mbrouder

That's describes the beast that I'm building. I have no love for these portly new cars.

While I wish I could do 6lbs/hp, I'll make do with 7lbs/hp, plenty to scare me stupid.
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

[livi]

"making it the most powerful production V-8 in the world"

How do you define "production"??

Koenigsegg Agera is a V-8 with 940 bhp.

[dennis in se pa]

You can buy a used 2008 GT 500 ,with only 500 HP, for $30-35K. 5-10k miles. The solid rear axle actually helps with that much HP. And the motors are solid = they don't blow up. How about that? The 2007-2009 models had the classic body style. They will be the ones to hold on to.

[vash]

i like it.

i would like a white one with light gray stripes..man i would smoke those wheels up at the local Sonic!! yeehaw!