What Will We Get From the Next GT500? (Photos)
When Dodge debuted the Hellcat it started a horsepower war with a single shot. However, Ford is bringing a cannon to the fight with the Shelby GT500 that will be sure to knock everyone backwards.
1. Carroll Shelby would be proud
The newest iteration of the pumped up Mustang that speed-obsessed Carroll Shelby first put out to the world way back in 1965 is almost here. But what will it be able to do? How will it look? How much will someone be able to get on a trade-in of a first-born child for it?
To start things look check out the front of the car that Ford engineers have done their best to hide away from prying eyes. Hard to see here, but this new Mustang has a new way of getting air to the engine compartment. Right under the headlights, there are holes where the fresh air will make its way in. Then, right over the front wheels, there are vents that will give the now hot air a place to exit out. Ford has already used this bit of know-how on the 2017 F-150 Raptor that has these functioning front fender vents.
2. The Predator
As for the power, I suspect Ford will be looking to make this a brawler on the scale with Dodge's Hellcat Challenger and the lesser powered Chevy's ZL1 Camaro. The engine for the job will most likely be the aptly named Predator. The Predator is a tweaked and boosted 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 with a 90-degree crankshaft instead of the 180-degree version. In theory, this setup can put the GT 500 at an astounding position of supercar territory numbers. If Ford chooses to do so and let this monster of a Mustang run free, the new GT 500 could have about 800 horsepower to be the one muscle car to rule them all.
3. Beefy setup
To put all of that power down, there will a wide track with nice juicy tires for better handling, along with more aero work to boot. To help the uber-Mustang stay out of trouble during turns there should be an independent rear suspension, which will be the first time a factory Shelby will come be packaged with one. There should be nice big chunks of front bumper missing to aid in feeding big gulps of air to a hungry intake system.
4. The new king of the streets?
The car will undoubtedly be the recipient of all the research and development that Ford has done in investing for lightweight components like carbon fiber and aluminum. Having a Mustang that will carry a boosted up engine along with a slim and trim body, this could be the best performing Mustang yet. If you're concerned with how anyone will manage to bring the car down to legal speeds again, that will be done via big Brembo brakes and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
5. When will we see it?
With the GT350 and GT350R already out and about Ford has been doling out bits of go fast goodness to Mustang fans who need a fix until the big daddy GT 500 makes its entrance. If you have any reason to question my claim of the car having somewhere around 800 horsepower under the hood just take an unnamed Ford rep's word for it, “Our new SVT Halo Mustang will have more HP than the Hellcat." A recently seen GT500 that was caught testing was reported to have run a 10.96 at 126 mph. We may see the Shelby Mustang later on this year officially with prices in the neighborhood of around $70,000. Expect to pay more if dealers smell blood and shake enthusiasts for every nickel and dime they can. By the way, up top if an artist's rendering courtesy of Car and Driver of what the GT500 could look like.
And, for information on maintenance and repairs for your Mustang, head on over to our How-Tos at MustangForums.com!