2007 Ford Shelby GT500

Shelby and Ford returned with a Shelby-branded Mustang, the Shelby GT500 for 2007. Introduced at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, the GT500 uses a 5.4L (that was modified by Australia for their use in their 2006/2007 Ford Falcon Boss 290 BF GT) Modular supercharged V8. 500 hp and 475 ft·lbf (644 N·m) will be available, designed to outperform all previous Mustangs. A Tremec 6-speed manual transmission, suspension tuning, a body kit, and 18 inch wheels complete the car. The name "Mustang" does not appear in the official model name nor does it appear as branding on any part of the vehicle.

A collaboration of Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and Carroll Shelby, the GT500 will be produced in limited quantity for three years (approximately 10,000 units/year) on the line at Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan (AutoAlliance) assembly facility.

The right to purchase the first 2007 Shelby GT500 was auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction on 21 January 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona for $648,000. Proceeds will benefit the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.


Performance

The heavy iron block V8, with supercharger and water-to-air intercooler, shifts the weight bias further forward than the standard Mustang GT (57/43%; front/rear), but the car is said to handle predictably and ride comfortably. According to Car & Driver, a Corvette Z51 was deemed to be a better performance vehicle based on the tests performed, but the Shelby was found to be more practical, and to offer a more comfortable ride. They stated that the Shelby offered the "best [overall] bang for the buck around."

The January 2007 issue of Road & Track featured a comparison test between the Shelby GT500, Mustang GT/CS, Corvette Z51, and Corvette Z06. The 500 hp GT500 performed 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds where as the 400 hp Corvette Z51 made it in 4.5 seconds. The 505 hp Z06 completed this in 3.6 seconds. The GT500 performed a quarter-mile test in 12.8 seconds at 113.2 mph where as the Corvette Z51 made it in 12.8 seconds at 112.5 mph (Z06 in 12.0 seconds at 121.0 mph). These results may be due to the GT500 (3950 lb) being 660 lb heavier than the Corvette Z51 (3290 lb). In comparison, the 300 hp Mustang GT/CS had a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.9 seconds at 103.0 mph.

Series 9, episode 6 of the BBC's Top Gear saw a GT500 go round their track in 1:30, about the same as a VW Golf R32 or Audi S4. They were very critical of Ford's failure to upgrade the suspension and brakes along with the engine, unlike the less powerful Roush Mustang Stage III which managed a lap of 1:28. In comparison the standard Corvette managed 1:26.8, and the Z06, 1:22.4. On a rolling road, they only saw 440hp from the GT500.

Top speed of the GT500 is 150 mph electronically limited compared to the Z51's 186 mph non-limited. Even without the electronic limitation the Shelby is not expected to pass 170 mph according to Ford Engineers whose comments were based on wind tunnel experiments and drag co-efficient numbers (0.38).

Deliveries of the Shelby GT500 began in May 2006.


Powertrain:
5.4-liter, DOHC, 32-valve V8, with Roots-type supercharger (8.5 psi max boost); six-speed manual transmission; rear wheel drive

Horsepower:
500 at 6,000 rpm

Torque:
480 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm

Curb weight:
3,920 pounds

0-60 mph:
4.5 seconds

Wheelbase:
107.1 inches

Overall length:
188 inches

EPA fuel economy:
15 miles per gallon city, 21 mpg highway