New Cars and Spy Reports - August 2006 BY The Automotive Editors Published in the August, 2006 issue of Popular Mechanics. SHELBY GT500 Pony Express Entry to the exclusive 500-hp club just got more affordable. For $42,000 you can buy a Ford Shelby GT500. This very special Mustang has a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that makes exactly 500 hp at 6000 rpm and 480 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. The V8 is backed by a six-speed manual. What a deal. Recently, we had a blast ripping gears, melting tires and swinging the tail wide all day on a road course in Southern California. But despite the palm-drenching fun, we were surprised that it wasn't the raw and rough experience we'd expected. Ford beefed up the Mustang's entire structure and the SVT team tamed the suspension. The result is a fast car with amazing composure over bad pavement. It's no Town Car, but the GT500 didn't shake or quiver even when we pounded it over a steeply peaked railroad crossing. The penalty for all that stiffness, and the cast-iron engine block, is weight: just under 4000 pounds. Regardless, the power seems to easily melt that fat. And for those who want it, there's a convertible too. Yes, we like the sun shining on our shoulders as we blast by those 400-hp weaklings. --Ben Stewart With its added structure and refined ride, the GT500 seems almost too civilized a car to wear the Shelby name. Never mind its weight. The GT500 runs 12-second quarter-miles. http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/3295616.html?page=2
as always, each test driver can formulate his or her own opinion and then get paid to write whatever they want! FORD has far less fans out there than the General or Maybe even Mopar. as usual, FORD took the leasd while the others were sleeping and now they have to play catch up. in more ways than one!
I found this link both fun and interesting. Definitely from an English point of view. YouTube - Mustang GT500 Review
