The 2013 Shelby GT500. Image: Ford Motor Company
Things were going so well for General Motors. The Camaro had been consistently out-selling the Mustang, and the announcement of a track focused, 580-horsepower, take-no-prisoners Camaro ZL1 meant that it would soon be game over for Ford. While Chevy was busy wind tunnel testing the ZL1, however, Ford’s engineers spent a few sleepless nights tweaking the new Shelby GT500. The result is the 650-horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500, and we’re back to advantage, Ford.
The 2013 Shelby GT500. Image: Ford Motor Company
Unlike other websites, we’re not ready to crown the Shelby GT500 as the king of the pony cars just yet. Sure, it’s got more horsepower (OK, a lot more horsepower), it’s likely to be a few hundred pounds lighter than the baby-got-back Camaro ZL1 and it even comes with more track focused options than the car it replaces. Still, the outgoing GT500 wasn’t exactly the ideal car for track days, since driving it fast meant beating the snot out of it. The old Shelby responded to brute force, not finesse, making it a difficult car to lap consistently in. Worse, it wasn’t particularly amusing on a racetrack, even if it was relatively fast.
The 2013 Shelby GT500. Image: Ford Motor Company
Ford says the new Shelby GT500 has received upgraded brakes, gearing and suspension, in addition to the horsepower boost. There’s a bigger radiator, a larger intercooler (for this year’s bigger blower), aero enhancements that actually add downforce and available Performance and Track packages.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
The 2013 Shelby GT500. Image: Ford Motor Company
Opt for the Performance Package, and you’ll get electronically adjustable Bilstein dampers and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Add the Track Package, and you’ll get an external oil cooler, a rear differential cooler and a transmission cooler, to ensure that high speed running doesn’t cause problems.
The most powerful production V-8 in the world. Image: Ford Motor Company
As for that high speed, the new Shelby GT500 may well be capable of 200 miles per hour, and Ford is quick to point out that the aerodynamic changes for 2013 give the car 33 percent more effective aero loading at 160 miles per hour. In other words, the new Shelby GT500 is more than just an image car, designed to run primarily from stoplight to stoplight.
The most powerful production V-8 in the world. Image: Ford Motor Company
There’s no doubt that it will give the Camaro ZL1 a run for its money, but we’ll hold off on crowning a new king until we’ve had a chance to drive both cars back to back. Preferably on a race track, where the limits of each can safely be tested.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
