With go faster stripes, an aggressive front end, the
Shelby GT500 certainly looks the part. You even get the quick-release hood catches of the old Shelby Mustangs. At the sides, there are Cobra badges and air intakes in front of the rear wheels. Needless to say, there is a rear spoiler and fat wheels and tires. And you can have either a coupe or convertible, but you get the stripes on the coupe only.
Now up to 500 bhp
Beneath the hood is a supercharged version of Ford's modular 5.4 liter mill churning out 500 bhp – enough to turn the Mustang into a real muscle car. This is an upgrade from the 450 bhp of the 2007 model, which was pretty quick.
The standard Mustang makes do with a 24-valve 4.6 liter V-8 with only 300 bhp – that's about right for the basic chassis set up. To give the Shelby version real power, Ford SVT has taken the 5.4 liter 32-valve mill and added a Roots type supercharger. An air-to-water intercooler reduces the temperature of the air entering the engine, and thus increases power output.
Cast iron block
In the interests of durability, the cast iron block is used, but it is combined with the aluminum cylinder heads from the Ford GT. This takes the power up to 500 bhp at 6,000 rpm.
Ford does still not seem confident in letting you loose with 500 bhp in an alloy block even though its SVT outfit, which builds this engine, offers a supercharged alloy block engine which is good for 750 bhp. Don't get any ideas - I don't think even the Shelby chassis is up to that amount of power.
280 bhp per tonne like a Porsche
As the Mustang is reasonably light, this gives the Shelby GT a power-to-weight ratio of 280 bhp – up there with the Porsche 911 Carrera, which results in stunning acceleration, especially as the supercharged engine gives very good response. There is also variable valve timing which improves the low-speed torque. Of course, the Shelby GT500 is quite a bit heavier than the standard Mustang, and a lot of that weight is up at the front.
The engine is coupled to the Tremec six-speed manual box, mounted in unit with the engine, which is inevitable with the beam axle rear suspension.
Race-tuned suspension
Ford SVT says the suspension is race-tuned, but it is still the same basic stuff – MacPherson struts at the front and a beam axle with links and a Panhard rod – OK for 300 bhp, but for 500 bhp you really need something a bit more up-to-date.
Brembo brakes, working on 14 inch (355 mm) front and 11.8 inch (300 mm) rear ventilated discs give plenty of stopping performance. You also get ABS, electronic brake distribution and traction control – which you are likely to need.
Tires are also up to the job - P255/45Z18 at the front and P285/40ZR18 at the rear.
Stiffened springs, larger anti-roll bars and revised damper settings are there to control roll, but don't expect sports car performance. Because the engine is mounted well forward, the weight distribution it 57 per cent front to 43 per cent rear.
Therefore, the car will tend to understeer, and traction will not be as good as you might expect, with the traction control coming into play a lot – and remember that traction controls work by reducing the amount of torque being sent to the tires. That light back end will also make it is fairly easy to unstick the back end. Could be a real fun car.
