I'm also not a fan of the GT-R either.. As the car just doesn't have the pony/muscle car appeal to me despite how well it's engineered, as it's just not my cup of tea lol.

I totally agree that whatever HP the next GT500 happens to be ? That Ford needs to make certain it's engineered to keep it's power planted to the ground otherwise all the HP and Torque in the world won't mean squat if the car's design/suspension can't handle it, especially on a road course

 

Joe ! I'm not quite sure if I'm interpreting your post correctly ? But if your referring to how those 35-50% felt about the design of the S550 that now own one compared to how they would feel if there was no longer a V8 option available for the next GT500 ?

Then I respectfully can't say that I agree about your mentality assessment not being different.. As for those 35-50% who now own the S550 would more than likely jump ship over to GM or Mopar if the S550 didn't include a V8 option in it's engine line up and as much as I hate to say this, I would be included as one of those 35-50% who would do so..

 

Muscle cars are V-8's. V-6's are for rice burners.

 

Indeed, Larry. But the Mustang isn't a muscle car (never was), it's a pony car (always has been), and pony cars have a significant history of using 6 bangers.

 

Totally agree

 

" Will the Next Shelby GT500 be Powered by a V6? "
.
What next GT500 ??
.
Recent interviews with Ford execs / engineers don't even mention a GT500, while discussing " other " things in the works.
The only place that the " next GT500 " is discussed are website threads like this.
Anything that shows up on line or in a magazine, has no " Ford " source or link as a reference.
.

.

 

Ford never talks about future product. They never discussed the GT350 until it was days away from launch.

That being said, during a relatively recent Q&A with Jamal Hameedi on the new Shelby GT350 Mustang, he let slip the following:


Q: Is it meant to be a Boss 302 replacement or a GT500 replacement? Where is it positioned in the lineup?
A: It is its own beast. Just because the whole flat plane crank is so different than anything we’ve done and anything that’s out there.

Q: In terms of the body panels, how much does it share with the GT and how much of it is new?
A: From the A-pillar forward it’s all new. The whole rear diffuser is new. Rear quarter panels are the same.

Q: Will this be a platform for the GT500?
A: The car has got really good bones so…

Q: How much fun was it working on this?
A: It was awesome. I don’t want to stop.



Now we await spyshots and leaks.......

 

I don't know how you came to the conclusion where Jamal Hameedi supposedly slipped info regarding a future GT500 during the Q&A interview that you posted..

IMHO I believe you misinterpreted his response to the question concerning the GT350 being a platform for the next GT500..

His answer was directed specifically to the Shelby GT350 about the car having great bones..

If however there's going to be a GT500 based S550 Mustang ? It will more than likely be through Shelby Automotive rather than in house through Ford as I just can't see Ford producing both the Shelby GT350 and GT500 at the same time in house

 

No, he was asked specifically if the GT350 would be the basis for the GT500, to which he answered "well, it has good bones".

Shelby American are already producing the S550 based Shelby GT and Super Snake, so I don't see them using the GT500 moniker.

Whilst SVT have never (as far as I recall) produced 2 speciality Mustangs at the same time, Ford DID give us both the Boss 302 (track machine) and GT500 (street/strip machine) at the same time. Besides, with SVT now part of Ford Performance, so past history is out of the window.

Ford are on a role and they won't sit on their laurels.

And we haven't even mentioned the rumoured Mach 1 yet

 

That makes sense about the GT500, and it seems reasonable that Ford would want to keep the performance end in-house. It seems like with Carroll gone, Shelby American might be morphing into just another aftermarket Mustang tuner.

But the first generation GT350 was what put Ford Mustang high performance on the map. That was real excitement in the 60's and I hope Ford Performance/SVT sticks with it. Let the legend continue.

I'd love to see a Mach 1, a GT350H, and Bullitt, and the return of Wimbledon White in the next few years.

 

I hope this doesn't happen. From a model history standpoint, I hope they retire the model before going to a TT V6. The GT500 deserves the biggest, baddest motor Ford makes. I owned a 2011 GT500 & am looking for a 2014. It may well be my last Mustang. I am not a fan of the new design at all. In my view, an evolutionary design would have been better, ala the Porsche 911 over 50 years or so.

 

Agreed. Should be all or nothing. The TT V6 could be a killer motor and maybe Ford Performance can build a special edition Mustang around it, or make it an available option on a GT. And it's a pretty safe bet that Roush will want to massage it too.

 

Paul ! I know all about the latest incarnation of both the Shelby GT and the recent Super Snake, however in my opinion, the Super Snake is still a GT500 only without the GT500 nameplate attached to it like it was during the S197 production run..

So I'm thinking that just perhaps Ford might end up owning both the GT350 and GT500 moniker's now and if so ? Then perhaps there is the possibility that we'll see both the GT350 and GT500 built in house at Flat Rock

I most definitely agree that Ford should bring the Mach 1 nameplate back, as it's been long overdue, as the last Mustang to wear the Mach 1 moniker was back in 2004 on the old SN-95 platform..

 

.
The last " GT500 Super Snakes " built by SA ( SAI ) were based on the S197 GT500.
.
The " new " recent Super Snake being offered by SA ( SAI ) are based on the S550 GT.....Putting an SS package on a GT doesn't make it a GT500 !!
.

 

I believe that was exactly what I said in my post ! Only difference is that you worded it differently !

Therefore I'm fully aware that the last SS " built by Shelby American" was based off the now previous S197 GT500 and the current SS is based off the S550 GT.

Although I completely agree that putting a SS package on a GT doesn't make it a GT500 is accurate, however I think you and I both know full well that technically that's really what the car is and would be called and based on if Ford were still using the GT500 nameplate/moniker as they did during the now previous S197 generation..

With that being said, that was my point in which I wanted to get across

 

.
From the SA( SAI ) website:

" 2015 Shelby Super Snake

VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS- Base Vehicle:2015 Ford Mustang 5.0L Coupe "
.

The 2015 Shelby Super Snake will never be anything but a GT, technically or otherwise, based on it's VIN !!
.

 

Thank the FSM.

 

What portion of my posts are you still having trouble comprehending ??? I've said from the very beginning the S550 SS is still built by Shelby American but without the GT500 nameplate/moniker used during the now previous S197 generation..

I've tried my very best to clarify my previous posts and have even agreed with you about the current S550 SS being based on the 2015 GT as opposed to being based on the now previous GT500 from 2007-2014 ala S197..

So yes, I'm fully aware of the fact the 2015 SS will never be anything but a GT according to it's VIN alright ???? But that's not what I was pointing out..

I clearly stated that IF Ford were still using the GT500 nameplate/moniker as they did during 2007-14 ??? Then that is what the current SS would be based upon just as it was during the S197 generation..

Therefore once again, I totally agree with you, so WTF seems to be your problem

 

I would call the '15 evolutionary in the same vein of the evolution of the 911. Go to a 911 forum and see the $hit storm going from air cooled.

 

pretty cool new rendering of the next GT500...
https://themustangsource.com/renderi...g-gt500-16214/