The Shelby GT500 builds on its 1960's muscle car heritage with classic styling cues mixed with modern touches and a massive dose of horsepower.
Available as a coupe or a convertible, the Shelby GT500 possesses an intimidating 550-hp, supercharged 5.4-liter, V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission. With only one powertrain combination available, this cars reason for being quickly becomes clear. Modern amenities such as air-conditioning, a six-disc CD changer and leather seats for four leave
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2012 Ford Shelby GT500 News, Reviews and Awards
(Carroll Shelby's) latest riff is a pair of Ford Shelby GT500s-one coupe, one convertible-capable of rattling root beer mugs on cruise night and spanking Chevrolet Corvettes on the drag strip.
If there's a downside to the top Mustang's drivetrain, it's poundage. Ford lists the Shelby GT500's curb weight at 3,920 pounds in coupe form and 4,040 pounds for the convertible. That's about 400 pounds more than the equivalent Mustang GT.
...we wish this king of all Mustangs weighed less and had better interior materials...
With the telltale Cobra emblem the only bit of brightwork on its blacked-out grille and a 500-horsepower, supercharged V8 stuffed under its hood, the Shelby GT500 is the most powerful road-going, factory-produced Mustang of all time.
Stability control and side curtain airbags are not available. Buyers should also note that the GT500 has no spare tire, just a temporary inflation kit.
...it is unashamedly retro ... and dorkier than you would imagine a 475-hp car could be. We recognized this when we saw photos of the new car and noticed it has the same corny, loud, black-and-red interior (with slight modifications) as the similarly unsubtle Mustang we borrowed a few months ago.
...the GT500's power and performance technology are undeniable.
Power without control can be foolhardy, so engineers from Ford's Special Vehicle Team, better known as SVT, upgraded chassis components, revised suspension hardware and fitted the car with high-performance tires and big brakes so this most potent of factory Mustangs will be much more than a one-trick pony.
In the cockpit, the speedometer and tachometer have swapped locations so the GT500 driver can keep a close eye on engine rpm for optimized shifting. Front seats get increased lateral support to keep the driver and passenger properly positioned through hard cornering maneuvers.
