The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500. Image: Ford Motor Company
Last November we told you that Ford would launch a revised Shelby GT500 for 2013, complete with a 650-horsepower supercharged V-8. It turns out we were a bit wrong about the Shelby’s horsepower; according to the latest information from Ford, the new Shelby GT500 will actually produce 662 horsepower and 631 pound-feet of torque, which makes the car’s 5.8-liter V-8 the most powerful production V-8 in the world.
Think about that last fact for a second – the most powerful production V-8 in the world graces the engine bay of a Mustang, not a Ferrari or an Aston Martin or a Maserati. It beats the Camaro ZL1 by a significant 82 horsepower and 75 pound-feet of torque, and it even beats the Corvette ZR1 in output, at a little more than half the price (although we’re pretty sure the ZR1 will still be faster around a racetrack).
If that wasn’t impressive enough on its own, the new Shelby GT500 will even avoid a gas guzzler tax rating, and actually delivers better fuel economy (by one mpg city and highway) than the car it replaces. Compared to the Camaro ZL1, the Shelby GT500 will return one more mpg around town, but a significant five mpg more on the highway. Not that any buyers shop either car for its fuel economy, of course, and driven as intended fuel economy in the single digits is likely.
Also, don’t forget that you can get discounted new car pricing with a free quote through qualified local dealer partners.
Ford is still claiming a top speed of “200 mph and beyond,” which is seriously impressive given the car’s blue collar roots. We’ve driven early GT500s on the track, so we can’t wait for a turn behind the wheel of the 2013 version, which (on paper at least) sounds like the most serious muscle car ever built.
Chevy, the ball is now officially in your court. Let’s see what you can do with the 2014 Camaro ZL1.
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.
