2013 Mustang to get GT500 styling cues, increase in horsepower
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: September 8, 2009
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 4
From: Lithia, FL
Come on Chicken Little... The sky is not falling!! The #8 cylinder problem issue was started by Camaro riders (notice I didn't say drivers) upset that Mustang sales were again starting to pick up. The engine is fine!! No worries 
For those experiencing #8 issues for real... please accept my apologies at poking fun and joking. just having fun
For those experiencing #8 issues for real... please accept my apologies at poking fun and joking. just having fun
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 11, 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Who else is ordering a 2013 GT500? I have one on order...Well, just a deposit at my dealer...I just hope it is really Special...No idea of the looks or options but, I am in with the 600+ hp from the factory...This is going to Rock....
Swamp Donkey Aficionado
Joined: November 23, 2006
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 0
This sort of model schedule is exactly in-line with what "today's Ford" has guaranteed -- every three years or so, you'll either see a a mid-cycle redesign (2010 Mustang), a refresh (2013 Mustang) or a completely new model (2015 model). Ford's doing this with the Taurus and a host of other models, too, so it's not entirely unexpected.
Swamp Donkey Aficionado
Joined: November 23, 2006
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 0
Some good and some bad here. First off styling the 2013 off the Shelby is a mistake! Part of what was done so well for the 2010 was giving the 3 models their distinct looks. The V-6, GT and GT500 all looked very different as they should! If the GT looks like the GT500 we are going into Camaro territory where the ZL1 looks almost the same as the SS. Going back to history the Shelby's from 67 forward were very different asthetically from the standard Mustangs. It doesn't sound like the GT500 is changing much at all from reports so this is not a change in the right direction.
The redesigned rear will obviously make many people happy. The HP bump for the GT is a good idea. In a 1/2 mile race the SS displacment at 6.2 liters really starts to show as the Camaro will beat the GT in most circumstances. The 2012 RS has 326 HP, but I haven't seen any comparison yet by auto mags so I don't know if the Mustang V-6 will need a bump or not.
Since the order banks open in Oct. I am surprised by a mid Nov. reveal. I honestly would have expected early Oct. at least in print or online.
The redesigned rear will obviously make many people happy. The HP bump for the GT is a good idea. In a 1/2 mile race the SS displacment at 6.2 liters really starts to show as the Camaro will beat the GT in most circumstances. The 2012 RS has 326 HP, but I haven't seen any comparison yet by auto mags so I don't know if the Mustang V-6 will need a bump or not.
Since the order banks open in Oct. I am surprised by a mid Nov. reveal. I honestly would have expected early Oct. at least in print or online.
GTR Member
Joined: September 28, 2009
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1
Let's see what Fords plan is before people start going nuts about the whole "GT500 styling cues" problem. I don't think it'll be as wild as everyone expects. Based on the April shots we saw, they may be using that front "nose" for better aero, which is always a good thing in my book.
Cobra Member
Joined: August 22, 2010
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
Let's see what Fords plan is before people start going nuts about the whole "GT500 styling cues" problem. I don't think it'll be as wild as everyone expects. Based on the April shots we saw, they may be using that front "nose" for better aero, which is always a good thing in my book.
I think I'll still hold out for the new chassis, though. Then I'll decide if I want to continue with the Mustang. The Germans have been calling me recently...
Team Mustang Source
Joined: October 27, 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
While the Camaro does have a much larger engine in terms of displacement, the 5.0L Coyote more than holds its own, even though it's down a bit in terms of output and size. The fact the Mustang is a couple hundred pounds lighter doesn't hurt, either, although I have to admit that I haven't seen a 1/2 mile race comparison between the two cars (or any car for that matter), so you may be right. Something tells me the higher-revving Coyote would fare better, though.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: November 14, 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 8
From: Pacific NW USA
Mach 1 Member
Joined: May 31, 2011
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Killeen, TX
I am contemplating on a 2013 gt500 purchase in place of my 2011 5.0. The only thing that has stopped me from buying a 2012 that is sitting at my local dealer is all this speculation and rumor talk.
With that being said I don't anticipate the gt500 will have the huge HP gain people are thinking. I would say Ford might bump it up a little but the 2015 will most likely get the biggest improvement since it's the anniversary year.
I wish we had a ford secret agent employee on this site that could shed some light and verify some facts for us.
With that being said I don't anticipate the gt500 will have the huge HP gain people are thinking. I would say Ford might bump it up a little but the 2015 will most likely get the biggest improvement since it's the anniversary year.
I wish we had a ford secret agent employee on this site that could shed some light and verify some facts for us.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: May 18, 2010
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 15
From: CT
Hmm.. interesting.
It's pretty common to see styling cues flow "down hill" from high performance variants to the more humble models. The last generations of Firebird/Trans Ams saw this, as did the Mustangs, come to think of it.
I will take a serious look next year at trading up. I am thrilled with my 2011...but if they fix issues with the MT-82 and provide more horsepower as well...they may have a customer here.
The question will be about HOW they get more horsepower. If they're merely tuning the current equipment to run even closer to its breaking point (rather than upgrading the quality of the pistons for example), for get it. We could have done that ourselves.
It's pretty common to see styling cues flow "down hill" from high performance variants to the more humble models. The last generations of Firebird/Trans Ams saw this, as did the Mustangs, come to think of it.
I will take a serious look next year at trading up. I am thrilled with my 2011...but if they fix issues with the MT-82 and provide more horsepower as well...they may have a customer here.
The question will be about HOW they get more horsepower. If they're merely tuning the current equipment to run even closer to its breaking point (rather than upgrading the quality of the pistons for example), for get it. We could have done that ourselves.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: November 14, 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 8
From: Pacific NW USA
- 1984 20th Anniversary "GT350" white/red models. Standard 5.0L H.O. V8. No horsepower bump.
- 1989-1990 Mustangs with the "25 Years" dash plaque (no real anniversary model offered). No horsepower bump.
- 1994 was the 30th Anniversary, but no anniversary model offered, although it was the first year of the SN95 platform. Same 5.0L V8 and no horsepower bump from the Fox Body '93's.
- 1999 was the 35th Anniversary and the first year of the SN95 "New Edge" models, and yes, finally a long overdue horsepower bump with the PI heads on the 4.6L 2V V8 (260 vs 215 for the '98's).
- 2004 was the 40th Anniversary, but no power bump.
- 2009 was the 45th Anniversary, but no power bump.