And also the fastest; at least in factory form. At downtown LA hotspot, the night before the Los Angeles Auto Show opened to the media on November 16, Ford finally took the wraps off the significantly updated 2013 Shelby GT500 and All Ford Mustangs was there to witness it.
Rumors that the car would crank out more than 600 horsepower proved true, in fact the '13 version is rated at a whopping 650 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. It's also the first factory built Mustang capable of reaching an honest 200 mph.
Of course, the centerpiece to making this kind of performance possible is the engine, which is a 5.8-liter outgrowth of the 5.4 dual overhead cam V8. With a larger bore in the aluminum block (which is cross drilled), plus revised heads with new cam profiles, a bigger capacity (2.3-liter) positive displacement Eaton/Roots supercharger, improved airflow and charge cooling, plus revised fuel mapping and a new quad exhaust system; the result is a powerhouse that provides the GT500 with bragging rights over and above it's arch rival, the 580 hp Chevy Camaro ZL1.
In order to handle this staggering amount of power and performance, nearly every aspect of the 2013 Shelby GT500's driveline has been optimized to cope. For example, there's a stouter cooling system, with a bigger fan and high-pressure relief doors, a six-speed manual gearbox with stouter bearings and revised ratios resulting in a 3.3:1 final drive; stronger twin-disc clutch, a carbonfiber driveshaft and a heavy duty 8.8-inch rear axle that boasts an available Torsen differential.
Other features include new Brembo brakes with six-piston front calipers as well as bigger front and rear rotors and more aggressive pads, plus improved driving dynamics via recalibrated stability and traction control systems, which now boast three different settings; on, intermediate sport (which partial disengages them, allowing for more aggressive driving before they kick in), or off (entirely) for track events.
There's also a new launch control feature for 2013 designed to optimize traction off the line, probably just as well, since with 650 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque it'll be very easy to just light up the rear tires, even at part throttle.
An available performance package adds SVT developed Bilstein electronically adjustable shocks with two different settings, normal and sport, plus the Torsen rear differential. Buyers will also be able to order a "Track Pack" on top of that, which adds an externally- mounted engine oil cooler, as well as additional coolers for the transmission and rear differential.
Aftermarket
2011 Mustang
2005 +
SN95
Fox
Classic
Ford
Racing
Events
Featured
sponsors
Top of Article
Mustang Links Top Sites RSS Feeds Link To Us Add to Favorites Archive Terms of Use Site Rules Privacy Contact Us Sponsors Advertise
AllFordMustangs is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company. ©Copyright 2002-2010 All Ford Enthusiasts Network
11/24/2011, 12:43 pm
