2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible to debut in Detroit
Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, Ford
At the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford officially put all other muscle cars - and even some supercars - on notice. The 2013 Shelby GT500 made its public debut, and while it doesn't look much different than the models that came before it, the huge change for 2013 lies under the hood: an all-new 5.8-liter supercharged V8 capable of sending 650 horsepower to the coupe's rear wheels.
Since the modern GT500's debut in 2007, Ford has always offered a convertible variant, and that isn't expected to change with this new 2013 model, especially since the rival Camaro ZL1 will be offered in both hardtop and droptop forms. According to TopSpeed.com, the GT500 Convertible will debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks, packing the same 650-hp powertrain and - at least, we hope - some added chassis tweaks for structural rigidity. We can't even imagine trying to handle 650 supercharged horses through a willy-nilly rear end.
The only thing that isn't expected to carry over from the coupe is the GT500's 200-plus-mile-per-hour top speed. It may be possible to achieve this with the soft top in place, but we think the 200 Club will exclusively be reserved for the coupe and its sleeker shape.
Assuming the GT500 Convertible shows its face in Detroit, we'll have the full details in just two weeks.
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible to debut in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsEditors’ Choice: Top Five 2011 LA Auto Show Debuts
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Crossover, Hatchback, Cadillac, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Luxury, Fiat
We're packing up our cameras and laptops and heading out of the Los Angeles Convention Center, but before we seal the lid on the 2011 LA Auto Show, it's time to reflect on our staff's favorite debuts of the past two days. Unlike previous shows, there was nothing here in LA that truly stood out as the clear Best In Show winner, but because of that, there were plenty of good arguments amongst the staff about the five best cars on display in Los Angeles.
We won't give away the winner just yet (you'll have to click past the break to see the results), but we'll say that the first and second place cars were nearly tied, with the Number One car only winning by one vote. But enough with this fluff - hit the jump to see Autoblog's picks for the five best debuts of the 2011 LA Auto Show.
Continue reading Editors' Choice: Top Five 2011 LA Auto Show Debuts
Editors' Choice: Top Five 2011 LA Auto Show Debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2013 Ford Shelby GT500 looks angry, wants out
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford
We've got to admire the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The vehicle could very possibly be the least-aerodynamic sports car on the face off the planet that's capable of knocking off 200 mph. How does it do it? Lots and lots of power. Ford completely reworked the vehicle's drivetrain for 2013, starting with the engine. The larger 5.8-liter aluminum V8 now spits out a full 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque courtesy of a larger supercharger. Ford calls the 2013 Shelby GT500 the most powerful production V8... in the world. The muscle-bound Mustang looks plenty impatient lounging on the show floor of the 2011 LA Auto Show.
Buyers looking for even more performance may opt for the GT500 Performance Pack, which throws in electronically-adjustable Bilstein dampers and a Torsen limited slip rear differential. Still not enough to satiate the go-fast itch? Good thing the 2013 GT500 is also available with a Track Package that bolts on an external engine oil cooler, transmission cooler and rear-differential cooler.
Even better, the 2013 Shelby GT500 weighs 270 pounds less than its chief rival, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and manages to dodge the gas guzzler tax. We're in love.
Continue reading 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 looks angry, wants out
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 looks angry, wants out originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2013 Ford Mustang lineup unveiled at the Belasco Theater
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Ford
The Mustang has been an American icon for over 45 years, and now Ford is ready to unleash the most powerful lineup in this pony car's illustrious history. Since the Mustang is it's own kind of cool, Ford decided against unveiling it in front of the assembled crowds inside the Los Angeles convention center. Instead, the Blue Oval invited 800 of its closest friends to see the 2013 lineup at the Belasco Theater.
Marketing boss Jim Farley took the stage to unveil the refreshed Boss 302, the 420-horsepower GT and the fresh-faced V6 model. Farley looked to the one and only Caroll Shelby to help unleash the 650-horsepower Shelby GT500, which looks pretty darn awesome in Grabber Blue. Shelby appeared to be especially gleeful about the latest GT500, adding that this latest GT500 is "the one." Click on the above gallery to check out photos of the live reveal.
2013 Ford Mustang lineup unveiled at the Belasco Theater originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2013 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers 650 HP and 200 MPH straight from the factory
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford
Six hundred and fifty horsepower. Six hundred pound-feet of torque. Over 200 miles per hour. With specs like these, you don't need long-form introductions. This is the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, and all we can say is, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has officially been put on notice.
The heart of the new Ford stunner is a 5.8-liter, aluminum-block V8, complete with a larger, more efficient supercharger. Nearly the entire powertrain has been upgraded for 2013, including a new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle. The cooling system has also been upgraded, and the new six-speed manual transmission now has a final drive ratio of 3.31-to-1 - optimized to handle the massive amounts of torque put down by the new engine.Further enhancements can be had in the GT500 Performance Pack, which incorporates SVT-designed Blistein electronic adjustable dampers with 'normal' and 'sport' modes and a Torsen limited-slip differential. What's more, the Track Package adds an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler. Like the current GT500, 19-inch wheels are standard up front (20-inch rollers are found out back) and a Brembo braking system keeps everything in check when its time to control all that force. The whole package weighs in at just 3,850 pounds - 270 less than the Camaro ZL1 - and Ford says it will not be subject to the dreaded Gas Guzzler Tax.
Visually, not too much has changed from the current GT500, save some minor aerodynamic tweaks like an ever-so-slightly revised front fascia with new air splitters, as well as a minimally tweaked rear end. Inside, it's the same levels of comfort and refinement that you'll find in the rest of the Mustang lineup, albeit with new Recaro front buckets.
We'll be sure to get up close and personal with the GT500 this week at the LA Auto Show, but for now, wipe the drool from your keyboards and hit the jump for Ford's official press release.
We'll be sure to get up close and personal with the GT500 this week at the LA Auto Show, but for now, wipe the drool from your keyboards and hit the jump for Ford's official press release.
Continue reading 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers 650 HP and 200 MPH straight from the factory
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers 650 HP and 200 MPH straight from the factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsNext Ford Mustang GT will channel GT500
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Design/Style
After decades of dominating the pony car sales charts, the Ford Mustang has finally met its match in the latest Chevrolet Camaro. Naturally, this high-profile segment, is one that Ford is loathe to concede. After being infused with completely new engines in 2011, the Mustang will soon receive a visual refreshening that aligns this horse's looks even more with the range-topping Shelby GT500 model.
Our spy photographers have snapped a Mustang GT prototype with just a thin layer of 3M vinyl hiding the changes. Up front, you can clearly see the GT500's influence in this Mustang prototype's protruding grille. Also note that the coupe has dropped the Mustang GT's circular, grille-mounted foglamps, as well as swapped out its galloping horse badge for a new logo that's been moved from the center of the grille to the side. Even the lower air intake is shaped like an open smile, just like on the current GT500. And, is that a splitter we see hanging off the car's chin?
We can also see brand new projector beam headlights up front with some LED tech buried within, and out back, the rear end gets new taillights. That rear wing is also new, and the rear bumper has been slightly redesigned as well.
Ford clearly hopes to imbue the Mustang GT with the GT500's aggressive looks, and these spy shots show they're on-track to do just that. Will it be enough to boost sales above the Camaro? We'll see. The more interesting question is once the Mustang GT looks like the GT500, what will Ford do with its most powerful pony car? With the impending arrival of the 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1, we're sure Ford's got something planned.
Next Ford Mustang GT will channel GT500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsUAW contract confirms larger 5.8L V8 for GT500
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, UAW/Unions
Fans of large displacement and forced induction (isn't that everyone?) can officially rejoice today as the recently approved deal between Ford and the United Auto Workers has answered a question that's been on our minds ever since Chevrolet upped the horsepower ante with its Camaro ZL1. Yes, folks, the 2013 Shelby GT500 will be blessed with a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 engine.
While conventional wisdom has always been that the easiest way to increase horsepower and torque was to bore-and-stroke your way to more displacement, an interesting series of spy shots showing one conspicuously oversize intercooler led some to believe Ford was ditching the supercharger in favor of twin turbos. Not so, apparently. Ford's latest contract with the UAW reveals that its Romeo Engine Assembly Plant will receive a $50 million investment to build the 5.8L supercharged mill.
Naturally, contract talk doesn't include a whiff on horsepower or torque, but you can bet Ford is planning on eking out more than the 580 horses that Chevy has corralled from the 2012 Camaro ZL1. Something around 600 seems like a safe bet, but we'll just have to wait for an official announcement from Ford. In the meantime, sweet supercharged dreams.
UAW contract confirms larger 5.8L V8 for GT500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord Shelby GT500 gets some intercooler love
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ford
Ford Shelby GT500 Spy Shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
Our army of spy photographers managed to snap a few photos of a Ford Shelby GT500 strutting a new intercooler. If you take a close look, you can see piping through the upper and lower grille as well as the vehicle's mocked-up fog light openings. Chances are the new equipment is merely part of a scheme to make the vehicle's supercharger a little more efficient, though it's entirely possible that the big bad snake is rocking something exciting under its hood. Something like a twin turbocharged V8.
Though we've been more than a little skeptical about notions of a forced-induction V6 or four-cylinder Ford Mustang model, we wouldn't be surprised to see the GT500 grow a turbo or two. There's no telling exactly what the engineers at Dearborn could come up with if they scrapped the old supercharger in place of a pair of turbos. Modern variable vane units have all but eliminated lag, and ditching the blower would simultaneously do away with heaps of parasitic drag on the engine. We'll keep our ears to the ground for more on this one.
Ford Shelby GT500 gets some intercooler love originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsMotor Trend compares muscle cars, past and present
Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM
Old muscle versus new muscle - Click above to watch the video after the break
All day long, boys. All. Day. Long.
To what are we referring, you ask? Well, that's how long all six muscle cars rounded up by the staff at Motor Trend will eviscerate their tires. Such is the nature of the beast, and, in fact, it's why many automotive enthusiasts just can't get enough horsepower at the rear wheels.
What we have here are Camaros, Challengers and Mustangs, gathered in pairs - one vintage example from the height of the muscle car's reign of terror in 1969 and '70 along with one 2011 model. This begs the question: Which era of American performance resulted in the better car?
Well now, that depends on just what you're looking for...
There's simply no arguing the fact that the 2011 Camaro SS, Challenger SRT8 392 and Shelby Mustang GT500 can accelerate (though the quarter-mile results would be closer if the old bias-ply tires were replaced with something more... modern), turn and stop better than their old-timer predecessors.
But, as the editors of Motor Trend found out, that's not the whole story. Check out the video after the break to find out what we're on about.
One last thing: Words cannot express how badly we want the keys to that 1970 Challenger. It's nothing short of muscle car perfection.
Continue reading Motor Trend compares muscle cars, past and present
Motor Trend compares muscle cars, past and present originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 800 horsepower headed for New York
Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford
2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake - Click above for high-res image gallery
Shelby has no qualms about constantly upping the horsepower of its range-topping Ford GT500 Super Snake. When first introduced in 2008, the base Super Snake had a mere 605 ponies under the hood with an option for up to 725. That number increased to 750 for 2010, and now for the 2012 model year, Shelby is set to unveil the latest Super Snake with up to 800 tire-shredding horsepower on tap from its 5.4-liter supercharged V8.
Like previous Super Snake models, the latest version will come with a host of other upgrades including a sport suspension system, Baer six-piston brakes, Borla exhaust system, Alcoa 20-inch wheels, fiberglass hood and more.
We'll get our first look at the 2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake when it debuts at the New York Auto Show later this month, but until then, you can read more details about the car in the press release after the jump or check out the outgoing car in our gallery below.
[Source: Shelby]
Continue reading 2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 800 horsepower headed for New York
2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 800 horsepower headed for New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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