2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 650 HP! How will it stack up against the ZL1?

[Ltespd]

I fear the ZL1 is gonna get smoked by the 2013 GT500. Most Camaro fans don't want to hear or admit that. Just being realistic. Ford seems to have made quite a few improvements, not just HP. The GT500 is 300 lbs lighter and has 70 more HP than the ZL1. 200MPH!! Wow!
Chevy may wanna think long and hard about over pricing the ZL1.
I know looks are subjective...but at least the ZL1 has the GT500 beat in that area.

[Kluch]

Wow. Can't believe they actually did it. They need to change the name of the car now.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by IcePick06

Well if it was raining I'd put all my $$ on the ZL1 and mode 1 of the PTM ! Shelby would be spinning the tires all day in the rain I think the interior of the mustang still looks cheaper than the ZL1. Little details like microfiber suede, red stitching around the seats and shifter make me "feel better" than being in the dull interior of the GT500. These are facts and I'm sure most would agree. Performance wise I'm not hating at all on the new GT500. I hope it performs ok. I will love to see a showdown from several magazines next summer to declare a winner between the two brands' top muscle cars.

You do realize that there is microfiber suede in the GT500 right? I'm sorry but I have a Camaro and the Mustang has 10 times better materials making up the interior. If you think a plastic steering wheel bezel or shifter bezel is better than an aluminum one then my good sir you are high....

[Rock36]

Originally Posted by Ltespd

I fear the ZL1 is gonna get smoked by the 2013 GT500. Most Camaro fans don't want to hear or admit that. Just being realistic. Ford seems to have made quite a few improvements, not just HP. The GT500 is 300 lbs lighter and has 70 more HP than the ZL1. 200MPH!! Wow!
Chevy may wanna think long and hard about over pricing the ZL1.
I know looks are subjective...but at least the ZL1 has the GT500 beat in that area.

I agree...and I think if we take everything at face value based on what we know now, the key will come down to the price if the GT500 trumps ZL1 performance.

Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the GT500 outperforms the ZL1, if the ZL1 is 5-10K cheaper than the 2013 GT500 the ZL1 will remain competitive IMHO.

[JeffInDFW]

I'm a life long Camaro guy, but I'm not blinded by that love. If I'm going to Friday night "Street Night" at the drag strip, I want to be the dude in the 650hp, 3,850 pound GT500. I would simply run drag radials all the time on the car on the street....

Now, if we were going to be meeting up at a road course......I would actually pick the ZL1 as my weapon. Yep, I know weight is a mother on a road course. I get it. But, from what I've been following, the ZL1 seems to be the better overall effort. GM has really spent the time, money, and effort to make sure no stone is left unturned in the ZL1. I feel it will be the better "sorted" car on a road course. Then, the magnetic ride system on the Camaro ZL1 will be a huge advantage. I know Ford is hawking an "Electronic system" of shocks, but until I know more, I have a hard time believing it is as sophisticated as the system from GM. GM has had generations to perfect its setup. The Camaro ZL1 also has IRS which is a bigger deal on a road course than you can imagine.

As for looks.....Subjective. Personally, I LOVE the look of the GT500s. The ZL1 is a brutish beauty too, but personally I like the GT500 better. Also, sit in a GT500 and I like the interior a lot better than the Camaros. The GT500 interior does not photo well. Go sit in one. Overall, two incredible cars but one of them makes 650hp. Oh, and no, it won't touch a ZR1.....and good luck finding a Mustang forum that is not overrun with the same pathetic wankers that talk crap on YouTube comments all day.

Im still in shock that you can go down to your local Chevy and Ford dealership and buy bone stock pony cars that make this much horsepower. Anyone else remember the 225hp IROC? I do. Man.....have times changed.

[Rock36]

Originally Posted by JeffInDFW

I'm a life long Camaro guy, but I'm not blinded by that love. If I'm going to Friday night "Street Night" at the drag strip, I want to be the dude in the 650hp, 3,850 pound GT500. I would simply run drag radials all the time on the car on the street....

Now, if we were going to be meeting up at a road course......I would actually pick the ZL1 as my weapon. Yep, I know weight is a mother on a road course. I get it. But, from what I've been following, the ZL1 seems to be the better overall effort. GM has really spent the time, money, and effort to make sure no stone is left unturned in the ZL1. I feel it will be the better "sorted" car on a road course. Then, the magnetic ride system on the Camaro ZL1 will be a huge advantage. I know Ford is hawking an "Electronic system" of shocks, but until I know more, I have a hard time believing it is as sophisticated as the system from GM. GM has had generations to perfect its setup. The Camaro ZL1 also has IRS which is a bigger deal on a road course than you can imagine.

As for looks.....Subjective. Personally, I LOVE the look of the GT500s. The ZL1 is a brutish beauty too, but personally I like the GT500 better. Also, sit in a GT500 and I like the interior a lot better than the Camaros. The GT500 interior does not photo well. Go sit in one. Overall, two incredible cars but one of them makes 650hp. Oh, and no, it won't touch a ZR1.

Im still in shock that you can go down to your local Chevy and Ford dealership and buy bone stock pony cars that make this much horsepower. Anyone else remember the 225hp IROC? I do. Man.....have times changed.

Hell at this point 505hp is starting to become ho hum

[shockandawe]

The GT 500 is still uglier then shit. This is what I thought would happen. That's why I didn't want to part with 58k until Ford played it's cards. Torque on the GT 500 is 600 lbs., ZL1's is 586 lbs. This is more important then the H.P. numbers. We'll have to see how this plays out in heads-up competition. I might have to wait a year till GM ups the H.P. to 700 or 750 to tame this snake!

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by shockandawe

The GT 500 is still uglier then shit. This is what I thought would happen. That's why I didn't want to part with 58k until Ford played it's cards. Torque on the GT 500 is 600 lbs., ZL1's is 556 lbs. This is more important then the H.P. numbers. We'll have to see how this plays out in heads-up competition. I might have to wait a year till GM ups the H.P. to 700 or 750 to tame this snake!

Fixed that for you and looks are subjective, this has put the nail in the coffin. I'll be buying a GT500 now....

[Ltespd]

Originally Posted by JeffInDFW

Im still in shock that you can go down to your local Chevy and Ford dealership and buy bone stock pony cars that make this much horsepower. Anyone else remember the 225hp IROC? I do. Man.....have times changed.

I owned one. Before that I had a 1985 190 hp 5spd IROC. High 15's in the quarter.

[Rock36]

Originally Posted by shockandawe

The GT 500 is still uglier then shit. This is what I thought would happen. That's why I didn't want to part with 58k until Ford played it's cards. Torque on the GT 500 is 600 lbs., ZL1's is 586 lbs. This is more important then the H.P. numbers. We'll have to see how this plays out in heads-up competition. I might have to wait a year till GM ups the H.P. to 700 or 750 to tame this snake!

I would hate to be the poor bastard who bought the first year ZL1, only to find out I could have waited a year for another 200+ hp.

[upheval]

Untill we see actual run times, this is all speculation. How much of that is actual usable horsepower. You can have 1000hp but it you can control your launch then it is usuless unless your ricer racing. Reminds me of those old amplifiers, Pyromid amps I think they were called. They claimed all this power, 2000 watts but it has 15% THD. So it sounded like crap. I am on the bench till I see some numbers.

[MaRoFreK]

Supposedly the Engine in the new GT500 is a modern 351. I thought that was pretty cool. Either way no denying its gonna be a beast.

[Caliman93230]

Dam the zl1 just got Owned

[Truck Norris]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

it sounds to me like Ford is throwing power at the problem (because they've got that secret-weapon GT500 engine) to hopefully tide people over until the next gen car is released.

In addition to added power it also has

Revised Gearing

Nearly every gear on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 was revised to manage the torque and use more of the power in a way that makes it more driver-friendly. Engineers considered more than 35 gearing combinations, finally deciding on one that delivers less torque all the way through the wheels to the ground and still enables the car to achieve fuel economy targets.

A key piece of the driveline, the six-speed manual transmission, offers upgraded gears, bearings and housing so it can properly manage the torque. The final drive ratio is now 3.31:1 for optimized overall vehicle gearing to complement the massive torque. Every gear besides fourth was optimized for competing performance metrics. The clutch has increased torque and rpm capacity and uses a dual-disc design.

“It might just seem like we’re putting a bigger engine into the car. But it’s been a balanced approach through and through,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer. “We’ve completely redone the car to be even more sophisticated in terms of handling and control than the prior model.”

Other keys for improved traction management include:

- Torsen limited-slip differential: When customers order the optional Performance Package, they will get a Torsen limited-slip differential that helps the rear suspension deliver maximum torque and traction better and longer under track conditions

- Launch control: A new launch control system lets drivers set the desired launch rpm depending on tire temperature, street surface or other conditions. Unique to SVT’s launch control is that it is integrated with both the engine control and traction control

- Brembo braking system: A new Brembo brake system offers drivers enhanced stopping power to help keep their car under control, both on the road and the track. New six-piston calipers in front along with larger front and rear rotors help improve brake fade. New brake pads that are more aggressive also help the car achieve high deceleration and further robustness for more driver confidence
Aero advancements

Significant aerodynamic work was done on the new Shelby GT500 to ensure the car has proper downforce for optimum performance at all speeds. Engineers were able to determine how to harness the air that was moving around and through the car to improve the cooling system, maximize downforce and minimize drag.

The front fascia and splitters were modified to handle the extreme loads at 200 mph, resulting in a car that tracks more securely and feels more planted to the road at higher speeds. It offers 33 percent more effective aero loading at 160 mph compared to the 2011 model.
Superior ride

The new Shelby GT500’s driving dynamics have been improved, now working in concert with all the new content on the car.

Handling, all AdvanceTrac settings and steering assist levels within selectable steering have been tuned to account for the updated content. The previously available unique traction control system and electronic stability control settings help drivers achieve maximum performance on both the street and the track.

Both systems can be completely disabled in controlled track situations where maximum driver skill is utilized, or fully engaged for maximum safety during normal driving or in less-than-ideal traction conditions. Intermediate sport mode allows drivers to push their cars hard at the track without completely disabling the safety systems, permitting more aggressive driving before the traction control and electronic stability control intervene.

“We took a completely different approach with this car so drivers can choose their settings instead of a computer making the selection,” Hameedi said. “Nearly every system the driver interacts with can be tailored to his or her situation including the Bilstein electronic adjustable suspension, launch control, AdvanceTrac and steering assist levels.”

The 2013 Shelby GT500 offers two new sets of forged-aluminum wheels including a unique wheel for cars with the optional packages. The 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are coupled with Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires on all vehicle configurations.
Taking it one step further

Sometimes Ford Shelby GT500 customers want to enjoy their car on surface streets. Other times they just want to let loose on the track. Two new optional packages on the 2013 model give them the choice.

Available as part of the optional Performance Package, SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers are accessed on the dash with a simple push of a button. Normal mode gives customers a more comfortable ride over road irregularities. Sport mode is all about performance, delivering improved response time on the track and less body roll while cornering and pitch under braking. The Torsen limited-slip differential also comes with the Performance Package.

“The adjustable shocks let us develop our car on the track without any compromise,” said Kerry Baldori, Ford SVT Global Performance Vehicles chief engineer. “Before, we had to tune the car with street implications in mind. Now we can go as extreme as we want on the track setting and still offer the customer a comfortable ride on the road.”

Enthusiasts can upgrade their Performance Package with an additional Track Package for all-out performance. The option comes with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler for further durability. The coolers play an essential role in preventing crucial components from overheating under high-speed conditions.

Full article
http://www.stangnet.com/2011/11/14/2...500/#more-5481