Automakers typically make small changes to cars to gain a little more horsepower and a little more speed, but the Mustang is unusual in making such a quantum jump. The current Shelby GT500 is electronically limited to 155 mph. Ford has made 200 mph cars before, including a supercar called the GT a few years ago. Other automakers offer exotic supercars -- with sky-high prices to match -- that go 200-plus mph. Chevrolet vows it will produce "blinding acceleration."
But the Mustang is a common Detroit sports car, with four leather seats and a trunk. The goal was to "put the Shelby back on top of the Mustang pyramid," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer of Ford's performance vehicles division. It happened as engineers made improvements to present-day Mustangs and then track-tested them. Hameedi says the cars started to routinely hit the 155 mph speed barrier, leading to the decision to remove it.
And he says the car is safe as well. The new one has advanced Brembo brakes to stop the car faster and a limited-slip differential for better traction. Price, mileage yet unknown The new Shelby will arrive in showrooms next summer, slightly behind the other new redone Mustangs. This particular Shelby was created in Ford's own factories and is not to be confused with the aftermarket performance versions modified by Shelby American, the specialty company of automotive racing icon Carroll Shelby. All 2013 Mustangs will get a redesigned grille, a new hood and special lighting. Even the regular Mustang will become more powerful. The V-8 version will produce 420 horsepower.
The new Mustang will come with a six-speed automatic transmission that also allows drivers to manually choose the gears. The Mustang, introduced in 1964, is Ford's best-known model. Camaro handily outsold Mustang last month, as it has during the year, according to Autodata. For the first 10 months of the year, Chevrolet sold 76,368 Camaros; Ford, 61,516 Mustangs; and Dodge, 33,254 Challengers. In what is likely a first for a mainstream production muscle-car, Ford will announce today that the next version of its top dog Mustang will be able to top 200 miles per hour. The 2013 Shelby GT500 Mustang will what Ford claims will be the most powerful production V-8 engine in the world: a 650-horsepower brute that's a full 100 hp. more than the one it replaces.
It not only gains speed not only from the new engine, but also styling tweaks refreshing all Mustang models for 2013 as Ford tries to regain the pony car sales lead from archrival Chevrolet Camaro. Ford has made 200 mph cars before, including the GT supercar a few years ago. There's also a Corvette version rated in excess of 200 mph. The current Shelby costs $49,605.The goal was to "put the Shelby back on top of the Mustang pyramid," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer of Ford's performance vehicles division. What the Shelby will share with all the refreshed 2013 Mustangs After initially besting the Camaro in sales, Mustang fell behind and has stayed there. For the first 10 months of the year, Chevrolet sold 76,368 Camaros; Ford, 61,516 Mustangs; and Dodge, 33,254 Challengers.
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