-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
New Models
AUTOS: Ford Unleashes 650HP GT500
Supercharged 5.8-liter V8 puts the 2013 performance Mustang in supercar territory; debuts this week at Los Angeles Auto Show.
A new supercharged V8 expanded to 5.8 liters churns 650 horsepower, making it the world's most powerful production V8, according to Ford. (Photo: Ford)
Ford’s new Shelby GT500 Mustang has surpassed all expectations, bringing with it a brand new supercharged 5.8-liter V8 that generates no less than 650 horsepower.
You read that right. That’s 12 horsepower more than the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and 70 horsepower more than its closest rival, the upcoming Camaro ZL1. It’s even 80 more horsepower than a Ferrari 458 Italia.
Ford says it’s the most powerful production V8 in the world.
Ford’s 2013 update to the Shelby GT500, which debuts this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show along with the updated Mustang V6, GT and Boss models, has the power to push 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, gearing, suspension and aerodynamics.
Peak output for the new aluminum V8 engine is rated at 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. 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 into a car that weighs just 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. Also, the light curb weight means it’s exempt from the federal gas-guzzler tax.
The GT500 is most certainly the least-expensive way to get 650 horsepower under your hood, with pricing expected to be in the $60,000 range.
One of the most crucial modifications made by SVT, Ford’s performance team, 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 drivable. 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, and Ford 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 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.
You read that right. That’s 12 horsepower more than the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and 70 horsepower more than its closest rival, the upcoming Camaro ZL1. It’s even 80 more horsepower than a Ferrari 458 Italia.
Ford says it’s the most powerful production V8 in the world.
Ford’s 2013 update to the Shelby GT500, which debuts this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show along with the updated Mustang V6, GT and Boss models, has the power to push 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, gearing, suspension and aerodynamics.
Peak output for the new aluminum V8 engine is rated at 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. 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 into a car that weighs just 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. Also, the light curb weight means it’s exempt from the federal gas-guzzler tax.
The GT500 is most certainly the least-expensive way to get 650 horsepower under your hood, with pricing expected to be in the $60,000 range.
One of the most crucial modifications made by SVT, Ford’s performance team, 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 drivable. 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, and Ford 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 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.
2014 Cadillac CTS
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTOMOTIVE
-
GREEN: Porsche Adding All-Model Hybrids
Gas/electric plug-versions of its entire lineup – including… -
AUTOS: Porsche Boosts 918 Spyder Power
The upcoming supercar will produce 887 horsepower from its gas/electric… -
AUTOS: Acura NSX Details Revealed
The rebirth of the mid-engine sports car – now an all-wheel-drive… -
DRIVEN: Jaguar’s Many-Splendored XJ
The British luxury sedan comes in 10 different flavors, with plenty… -
AUTOS: Lamborghini Egoista Launched
The wild single-seat concept car is unveiled at the end of the epic… -
AUTOS: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Hot Pontiac G8
NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick helped his driver modify the 2009… -
VINTAGE: A Fast Historic Tour Of France
Vintage race and touring cars compete in the 22nd annual Tour de… - More News
