omg i love how competition influences one another ^_^!! why more power though? i say less weight and the current PP tires in 305s or wider. i'd honestly like to see the current HP rating remain 550hp and drop the weight and wider tires in the rear.

 

haha, love the sig.. nice one....

Boss 351!!!

 

I recall reading an interview with Carroll Shelby and he talked about having just gotten back from Michigan where he was hammering out the details of the 2012 and 13 GT500 with the Ford engineers.

So my guess is the GT500 will probably end with the 2013 model year and the rumored 5.8 would be one way to really go out with a bang.

As for the also hinted at smaller next gen Mustang, well your guess is as good as anybody else’s as to whether there will be another Shelby model. My guess with SVT seeming to be taking a more active role in building performance Ford vehicles again after nearly being shutdown years ago, we will not see another Shelby but all in house vehicles again.

Would be a shame however, Ford and Shelby are like bread and butter, they just belong together.

 

Losing weight from the current car isn't really on the cards.

 

If this is in fact a 2013 model, we'd probably see it this time next year hitting dealerships. I don't think Ford wants GM to get the ZL1 out too far ahead of them, since this is it's direct competitor.

Also, I did some looking earlier, the ZL1 has 20x10" front and 20x11" rear wheels. It's using the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G2 tires (same as the current GT500 with SVT PP). 285/35/20F and 305/35/20R. One could expect if they wanted they could use the same sizes as the ZL1 if they upgrade the wheels to fit.

 

But can you get a wheel/tire that big under the current rear of the car without changing sheet metal to keep them from sticking out past the fenders?

Also, about the 5.8 rumor. I'm not that familiar with it, but will the bore spacing of the 5.4 allow it to be punched out that far and still have enough thickness to retain durability, especially on a boosted engine? You're talking about at least 21 more cubic inches to get to 5.8 liters.

 

You might be able to by playing with the offset of the rear wheels.

 

Not saying that they are the same engine, but look at the magic that was pulled off on the LS1 which got bored out to 7.0L by Hennesy waaaaaaay back when the first versions came out. You talk about close, those pistons were almost touching each other. But they got it done and apparently pretty safely.

 

wow car and driver actually has decent sources this time. I'm amazed

Just add wider meats and its gtg

 

And keep in mind Ford's patented PTWA spray bore...

 

Wonder how much of the Boss development stuff, like TracKey, will make it on to the GT500? Seems like they've done some groundwork for future vehicles.

 

VIVA LA SHELBY GT500!!!!!!

most certainly launch control.

 

So, the article states "Like all 2013 Mustangs, the GT500 will sport a body altered with the goal of looking somewhat less retro and more modern and edgy, according to sources."

I thought that 2014 was when we would see the new look on the 'stangs?

 

That was where my head was at but didn't quite get there!

 

That quote depends on point of view. Some people see the new Mustang as more edgy and less retro, some think it's edgy but still just as retro. I think maybe we will see the new alterations for 2013 like many posts have speculated but no "new" body Mustang just yet.

 

2015MY...
That leaves 2 Model Years after 2012MY for the changes to keep things fresh enough into the new design.

 

"Like all 2013 Mustangs, the GT500 will sport a body altered with the goal of looking somewhat less retro and more modern and edgy, according to sources."


I think that's probably a little misleading, although the article does state the likely use of LED in the lights. Well, the rears already use LEDs, albeit not quite as obviously as most manufacturers. But, perhaps we'll see modified lamps front and rear.

 

The Aztecs believe this is the last GT500.

 

The Trackey is a nice little gimmick but I don't think much more than that. How many Boss owners are really going to use 2 keys? You're going to go to the dealer and get your Trackey and toss the originals in a drawer.

 

That would be the Mayans.. The Aztecs were Chevy people anyway.