Official - Shelby GT350 Mustang debut

[DP Valentino]

Originally Posted by LostPony

Oh, one more thing: If the suspension is GM based, the crap Mustang guys will take from GM fans will be ENDLESS!

I think it has already begun!

[72MachOne99GT]

Originally Posted by i2disturbedSS

With all the features this GT350 has I think it'll be a ZL1 vs type of match up-

i would be very surprised if this car doesnt put a hurt on zl1 type track times...

Not to open up debate, but the gt500s were to run dead even without all the handling hardware..Fords apparently pretty serious about their track performance with this one

Neat car either way, just not one i expect to drive myself

[Todd in Vancouver]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

i would be very surprised if this car doesnt put a hurt on zl1 type track times...

Not to open up debate, but the gt500s were to run dead even without all the handling hardware..Fords apparently pretty serious about their track performance with this one

Neat car either way, just not one i expect to drive myself

I would certainly hope so as the ZL1 will be almost 4 years old by the time the GT350 hits the road. It's also very good for everyone, as it would force GM to answer but I wouldn't be to quick to write off the ZL and a lot will depend on the weight of the new GT350 and frankly the type of track they use. I can tell you that the LSA pulls like a freight train coming out of the corner but it does suffer from heat on longer straight aways.

I have to say though I really like what Ford has done with this car and it takes a car that in my opinion was just "meh" and turned the dial up to "really F'n cool". I particularly liked one of the comments I read from a Mustang Fanboy that Ford finally has something that'll beat a 1LE. That's just funny as I would certainly hope so but it'll be fun watching all the various compare videos and head to head reports coming soon.

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by 72MachOne99GT

Not to open up debate, but the gt500s were to run dead even without all the handling hardware..Fords apparently pretty serious about their track performance with this one

Dead even where?

The MotorTrend Laguna Lap was the only course that the GT500 was close for a few laps...then, bye-bye Ford.
http://www.motortrend.com/road...

"While the Mustang was a half-second faster around the track than the ZL1 on its best lap, it couldn't repeat the performance. By the end of the first lap, the brakes had already begun to heat up so badly, we could smell them from the pits as the car passed by on the front straight. By the end of the second lap, the Shelby had lost more than half of its advantage over the ZL1, turning a 1:39.03. By the third lap, the Mustang was behind the Camaro, turning a 1:39.30. The ZL1, meanwhile, never deviated by more than two-tenths of a second."

The longer the course the farther behind the GT500 falls.

Grattan 2.0 miles
ZL1 1:27.95
GT500 1:28.53

GingerMan 2.21 miles
ZL1 1:42.05
GT500 1:45.21

Milford Road Course 2.9 miles
ZL1 1:56.58
GT500 1:59.97

VIR 4.1 Mile Grand West Course
ZL1 2:52.38
GT500 3:00.60
1LE 3:01.5

Indeed, the $63,000 GT500 is closer in performance to the $37,000 1LE than the ZL1. The ZL1 is a full 8 seconds faster around a 4.1 mile road course than the GT500. Let me say that again, the ZL1 is a full 8 seconds faster around a 4.1 mile road course than the GT500.

[txferrari]

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

Dead even where?

The MotorTrend Laguna Lap was the only course that the GT500 was close for a few laps...then, bye-bye Ford.
http://www.motortrend.com/road...

"While the Mustang was a half-second faster around the track than the ZL1 on its best lap, it couldn't repeat the performance. By the end of the first lap, the brakes had already begun to heat up so badly, we could smell them from the pits as the car passed by on the front straight. By the end of the second lap, the Shelby had lost more than half of its advantage over the ZL1, turning a 1:39.03. By the third lap, the Mustang was behind the Camaro, turning a 1:39.30. The ZL1, meanwhile, never deviated by more than two-tenths of a second."

The longer the course the farther behind the GT500 falls.

Grattan 2.0 miles
ZL1 1:27.95
GT500 1:28.53

GingerMan 2.21 miles
ZL1 1:42.05
GT500 1:45.21

Milford Road Course 2.9 miles
ZL1 1:56.58
GT500 1:59.97

VIR 4.1 Mile Grand West Course
ZL1 2:52.38
GT500 3:00.60
1LE 3:01.5

Indeed, the $63,000 GT500 is closer in performance to the $37,000 1LE than the ZL1. The ZL1 is a full 8 seconds faster around a 4.1 mile road course than the GT500. Let me say that again, the ZL1 is a full 8 seconds faster around a 4.1 mile road course than the GT500.

I had no idea. That's a butt whooping.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by Todd in Vancouver

I would certainly hope so as the ZL1 will be almost 4 years old by the time the GT350 hits the road. It's also very good for everyone, as it would force GM to answer but I wouldn't be to quick to write off the ZL and a lot will depend on the weight of the new GT350 and frankly the type of track they use. I can tell you that the LSA pulls like a freight train coming out of the corner but it does suffer from heat on longer straight aways.

I have to say though I really like what Ford has done with this car and it takes a car that in my opinion was just "meh" and turned the dial up to "really F'n cool". I particularly liked one of the comments I read from a Mustang Fanboy that Ford finally has something that'll beat a 1LE. That's just funny as I would certainly hope so but it'll be fun watching all the various compare videos and head to head reports coming soon.

Yeah, I caught that 1LE comment as well. I don't know how I will live on knowing my 1LE might lose to the GT350.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

Dead even where?

The MotorTrend Laguna Lap was the only course that the GT500 was close for a few laps...then, bye-bye Ford.
http://www.motortrend.com/road...

"While the Mustang was a half-second faster around the track than the ZL1 on its best lap, it couldn't repeat the performance. By the end of the first lap, the brakes had already begun to heat up so badly, we could smell them from the pits as the car passed by on the front straight. By the end of the second lap, the Shelby had lost more than half of its advantage over the ZL1, turning a 1:39.03. By the third lap, the Mustang was behind the Camaro, turning a 1:39.30. The ZL1, meanwhile, never deviated by more than two-tenths of a second."

The longer the course the farther behind the GT500 falls.

Grattan 2.0 miles
ZL1 1:27.95
GT500 1:28.53

GingerMan 2.21 miles
ZL1 1:42.05
GT500 1:45.21

Milford Road Course 2.9 miles
ZL1 1:56.58
GT500 1:59.97

VIR 4.1 Mile Grand West Course
ZL1 2:52.38
GT500 3:00.60
1LE 3:01.5

Indeed, the $63,000 GT500 is closer in performance to the $37,000 1LE than the ZL1. The ZL1 is a full 8 seconds faster around a 4.1 mile road course than the GT500. Let me say that again, the ZL1 is a full 8 seconds faster around a 4.1 mile road course than the GT500.

Not trying to argue with what you said, but you left out 2 courses.

The GT500 was faster around Streets of Willow(inside line), and tied on Grattan raceway(according to car and driver). So actually 3 courses....carry on lol

[xc_SS/RS]

I can sense that the GT350 may get compared to the Z/28 and if so prepare for the "its the tires that make the Z/28 faster" comments. Also I would hope this could beat the 1LE. If not then Ford really blew it.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by xc_SS/RS

I can sense that the GT350 may get compared to the Z/28 and if so prepare for the "its the tires that make the Z/28 faster" comments. Also I would hope this could beat the 1LE. If not then Ford really blew it.

I could imagine those "it's the tires" comments, however, it wasn't long ago it was tested that it wasn't only the tires that makes Z/28 perform as well as it does.

It will be interesting to see how it performs. I think I saw R&T (or another magazine) say it's ready to hunt Z/28s. I guess we'll see how ready Ford is.

I find it particularly interesting Ford using MR shocks. And - I believe it was the Evoque (or however it's spelled) that used MRC III first - just before ZL1. I thought I saw that somewhere... Anyways - I wanna hear that 5.2!

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by shaffe

Not trying to argue with what you said, but you left out 2 courses.

The GT500 was faster around Streets of Willow(inside line), and tied on Grattan raceway(according to car and driver). So actually 3 courses....carry on lol

What do both of those have in common? Super short. Streets of Willow is 1.6mi.

From the article:

So which is the better track car? Without question, it's the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Sure, it's possible to throw down a golden lap in the Mustang if you get everything right, but duplicating that time is never easy. And you'll be working far harder and more over the limit in the Shelby.

The Camaro ZL1 can turn consistent fast laps all day. It's infinitely more precise and capable, and genuinely rewarding in its engineering goodness. The fact that it was only about a half second off the Shelby's best time despite a huge power deficit speaks volumes.

The GT500 might put down a hero lap on a short course just like a ZL1 might take a GT500 on a 1/8th mile drag strip. But it's clear the car was designed to go fast in a straight-line.

[txferrari]

That white w blue stripes looks good. Nice looking ride there.

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

What do both of those have in common? Super short. Streets of Willow is 1.6mi.

From the article:

So which is the better track car? Without question, it's the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Sure, it's possible to throw down a golden lap in the Mustang if you get everything right, but duplicating that time is never easy. And you'll be working far harder and more over the limit in the Shelby.

The Camaro ZL1 can turn consistent fast laps all day. It's infinitely more precise and capable, and genuinely rewarding in its engineering goodness. The fact that it was only about a half second off the Shelby's best time despite a huge power deficit speaks volumes.

The GT500 might put down a hero lap on a short course just like a ZL1 might take a GT500 on a 1/8th mile drag strip. But it's clear the car was designed to go fast in a straight-line.

I said I wasn't trying to argue with you lol. Your point is still very very valid. Just pointing out that you said there was only 1 course that the Gt500 ran with the zl1 all I did was show the others. Which still tilted data in your favor lol

[DanSS24]

I just love it...Plain and Simple. American muscle at it's finest. Go Chevy, Ford and Dodge!

[archtaan]

From Ford press Q&A

• No dry sump
• No direct injection
• Extra engine displacement is all bore
• Everything from the A pillar forward is different from the GT. In the rear, the rear lower diffuser is different but rear quarter panels are the same.
• Benchmarked against 4 cars: 911 Carrera S (main benchmark), Ferrari California (since it is a front engine FPC), C7, and Z28.
• "It is its own beast." Do not want to equate it as a Boss replacement or GT500.
• How does it compare to the 302 or GT500 on the track? "Not really comparable. Way faster.. an order of magnitude faster"
• About same production numbers as the GT500

295s up front and 305s out back!
It also has an 8200 rpm redline!