The musclecar wars has made a comeback. While this genre of automobiles started out in the 1960s, due to rising fuel prices and ever tighter emissions regulations, the musclecar almost vanished in the 1980s and 90s.
Thankfully though, the American musclecar has returned, and now the competition is more fierce than ever. Chevrolet has the Camaro, Dodge has the Challenger, and Ford has the Mustang.
For 2013, all Mustang models have been revised, but the biggest news concerns the model with the biggest muscles, the Shelby GT500.
While in previous years, this model was offered with a 5.4L supercharged V8; for 2013, the GT500 comes equipped with a 5.8L supercharged V8. This all-aluminum, four-valve-per-cylinder motor produces 662 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful stock production musclecar ever made.
Power is fed to the rear wheels through a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox (sorry, no automatic offered). A new dual-disc clutch is employed to deal with the increased torque.
While Ford hasn’t yet released acceleration times for the new GT500, it did mention that this new model had hit a top speed of 325 km/h at the Nardo high-speed test track in Italy. That means the new GT500 is also the fastest musclecar currently in production.
While the GT500 retains the independent front suspension and the live axle rear layout from previous models, there are optional packages available to make the car handle better. The Performance Package comes with a Torsen limited-slip differential for better traction when driven hard, and buyers can also opt to include an additional Track Package which comes with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and a transmission cooler for further durability during track tests.
Not all the tuning on the new GT500 is just focused on performance; comfort is given a priority also. Cars fitted with the Performance Package also get an SVT-designed Bilstein suspension with electronically adjustable dampers, which can at the press of a button offer a comfortable ride for the road, or a hard setup for track use.
Externally, the 2013 GT500 gets revisions also. There is a sharper nose at the front with an aggressive splitter to improve downforce at speed. Around the back, new taillights are much better integrated into the design of the trunk. While the profile is very familiar, new 19” front and 20” rear alloy wheels do enhance the look. Those wheels come equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires as standard.
While the interior does not seem to have changed much, it does get new gadgets like Track Apps which records your various performance data, and a Launch Control system which alloys you to make those perfect acceleration runs every time.
If you get carried away, new six-piston Brembo brakes will do the job to slow you down.
The 2013 GT500 will be in showrooms very soon. Pricing for the coupe starts at $61,699 while the convertible starts at $66,699.
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Thankfully though, the American musclecar has returned, and now the competition is more fierce than ever. Chevrolet has the Camaro, Dodge has the Challenger, and Ford has the Mustang.
For 2013, all Mustang models have been revised, but the biggest news concerns the model with the biggest muscles, the Shelby GT500.
While in previous years, this model was offered with a 5.4L supercharged V8; for 2013, the GT500 comes equipped with a 5.8L supercharged V8. This all-aluminum, four-valve-per-cylinder motor produces 662 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful stock production musclecar ever made.
Power is fed to the rear wheels through a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox (sorry, no automatic offered). A new dual-disc clutch is employed to deal with the increased torque.
 |
| While in previous years, this model was offered with a 5.4L supercharged V8; for 2013, the GT500 comes equipped with a 5.8L supercharged V8. (Photo: Ford) |
While Ford hasn’t yet released acceleration times for the new GT500, it did mention that this new model had hit a top speed of 325 km/h at the Nardo high-speed test track in Italy. That means the new GT500 is also the fastest musclecar currently in production.
While the GT500 retains the independent front suspension and the live axle rear layout from previous models, there are optional packages available to make the car handle better. The Performance Package comes with a Torsen limited-slip differential for better traction when driven hard, and buyers can also opt to include an additional Track Package which comes with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and a transmission cooler for further durability during track tests.
Not all the tuning on the new GT500 is just focused on performance; comfort is given a priority also. Cars fitted with the Performance Package also get an SVT-designed Bilstein suspension with electronically adjustable dampers, which can at the press of a button offer a comfortable ride for the road, or a hard setup for track use.
 |
| While the GT500 retains the independent front suspension and the live axle rear layout from previous models. (Photo: Ford) |
Externally, the 2013 GT500 gets revisions also. There is a sharper nose at the front with an aggressive splitter to improve downforce at speed. Around the back, new taillights are much better integrated into the design of the trunk. While the profile is very familiar, new 19” front and 20” rear alloy wheels do enhance the look. Those wheels come equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires as standard.
While the interior does not seem to have changed much, it does get new gadgets like Track Apps which records your various performance data, and a Launch Control system which alloys you to make those perfect acceleration runs every time.
If you get carried away, new six-piston Brembo brakes will do the job to slow you down.
The 2013 GT500 will be in showrooms very soon. Pricing for the coupe starts at $61,699 while the convertible starts at $66,699.
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