2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra is a unique built – a tribute to the American legend Carroll Shelby. The last 60 years Shelby worked with Ford and Cobra has been the consistent performance label.
Furthermore, he not only worked in the creation of Ford performance vehicles such as Cobras, but also in those of the GT40s and Mustangs.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra. The stunning car they’ve made stands for Shelby’s idea of turning the 2013 Shelby GT500 into a true Cobra. As a foundation was used the 662 horsepower (487 kW) of the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500.
The unique wide-body of the car was further enhanced and now delivers more than 850 horsepower (625 kW). This is possible due to the implementation of Ford Racing 4.0-litre Whipple supercharger.
In addition, the 13-inch-wide rear wheels were wrapped in huge 345-section high-performance tyres for extra grip. Shelby American provided a specially designed bonnet, new rear wide-body kit, Shelby Wilwood brakes and new 20×13-inch rear and 20×10-inch front wheels.
In the end, everything came to place when the bodywork was finished in the same Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes that graced so many of the Cobra roadsters built in the 1960s.
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is the most powerful Mustang ever created with its 662 horsepower top track speeds of more than 200 mph. It will undoubtedly bring the muscle car philosophy into new heights.
This performance is possible due to its 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block engine produces. And we must say it again – it achieves the outstanding 662 horsepower (487 kW) at 631 lb.-ft. (855 nM) of torque. In fact, this is the highest-horsepower engine ever produced in the U.S.
The additional horsepower was achieved through thorough optimization of the powertrain. In details this Ford includes a new supercharger, new cross-drilled block and heads, an all-forged engine rotating assembly, updated camshaft profiles, upgraded head gaskets, a new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle.
However, the key to the 662 hp is the larger and more efficient supercharger. What it basically does is to help flow more air through the engine.
In addition to that the cooling system has been upgraded as well. It now features a high-capacity cooling fan, fan shroud with high-speed pressure-relief doors, a more efficient charge air cooler, a higher-flow intercooler pump and an intercooler heat exchanger.
Cooling fan capacity was also modified – now it has an increased and a higher-efficiency intercooler added to keep the air entering the engine as cool as possible. Combined with the efficient, high-capacity flow pump, these two measures control temperatures under extreme conditions.
2013 Ford Shelby GT500
Furthermore, the clutch has been transformed as well. With its increased torque and rpm capacity, it utilizes a dual-disc design. The diameter and clamp load have been increased and the clutch-facing material has been revised for additional resistance to burst and enhanced transfer of power.
Design improvements for this Ford vehicle feature all-new signature lighting with two LED bars in the front and rear, rocker panels in body-color, high-gloss black panel between the taillamps at the rear and a diffuser that surrounds a new quad-tip exhaust.
2013 Shelby GT500 rides on two new sets of forged-aluminum wheels: the 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels coupled with Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires on all configurations. These wheels are freshened with the dark finish and updated spoke designs and in addition to that are extremely lightweight.
Significant work has been also done in aerodynamics of the Shelby GT500. They include a new front splitter and black-painted upper and lower grille inserts. They expose the radiator drive which helps funnel air and cools the internals of the vehicle systems. The larger splitter helps create downforce when the car hits top speeds.
No driver will be less than satisfied when being behind the steering wheel of the new Shelby GT500. Its driving dynamics have been overhauled, it has new Brembo™ brakes with six-piston calipers in front and its wheels were also tuned.
Ford has thought about customers who want even more exceptional drive. The new Shelby is now being offered with the optional Performance Package. This feature is accessed on the dash with a simple push of a button and has several modes for selection. The Normal mode gives the driver a comfortable ride over road irregularities, while the Sport mode delivers improved response time on the track, and less body roll while cornering and pitch under braking.
Additionally, the Torsen® limited-slip differential also comes with the Performance Package. What it basically does is that it helps the rear suspension deliver torque and traction under the most demanding conditions on the track.
Of course, all who are willing can upgrade their Performance Package with an additional Track Package for all-out racetrack performance. The latter includes an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler for further durability.
A lot of innovations have been also included in this GT500 model. One of the key ones is the productivity screen. It offers menu options, giving the customer important information related to muscle car’s performance. The LCD can be found between the tachometer and speedometer.
The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 also can be found now in dealerships.
SVT is to Ford as AMG and M are to Mercedes and BMW respectively – a performance arm focused mainly on shredding track times and delivering the ultimate driving experience. SVT was first heard of at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling of the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning. This year, the Chicago Auto Show will be the site of SVT‘s 20th anniversary and a 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible will be there mark the occasion.
The GT500 is equipped with a V8, 650-horsepower engine that shows how much exactly things have moved on since the 235-horsepower 5.0-liter V81993 SVT Mustang Cobra. Also on the 2013 convertible one can find a commemorative lighted sill plate to set it apart as an anniversary edition.
An optional performance package adds to the GT500‘s grunt and sheds 3.5 seconds off the car’s lap time at Sebring International Raceway compared to the 2011 and 2012 models. That racetrack behaavior is partly courtesy to the 5.8 V8 Supercharged engine but, the SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers (from the performance package) and an all-new chassis tuning are also to be taken into consideration. The brakes have also been replaced with a new set of Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers at the front and overall bigger rotors at the back and front. The pads are also heavy duty for that extra, eye-popping braking power.
One button, to modes – normal, for everyday road going activities and Sport, for firming up the suspension, reducing body roll and pitch under braking. The SVT dampers allow greater customization for the perfect adaptation whether on the track or in the city.
Hardcore racing enthusiasts can opt for a package beyond the performance one – the Track Package which offers an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler for further durability.
Looking back, SVT have gathered a wide portfolio of all kinds of cars that have managed to become a great success: including the 1993 debuts mentioned above, SVT have also gone through the F-150 SVT Raptor, the SVT Contour sports sedan, SVT Focus and, along side Team RS, SVT introduced to Europe the magnificent Focus ST. It goes without saying that the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (non-convertible) also deserves some credit for the company’s success – power comes from the same 5.7 V8 (probably the most powerful V8 in the world) but it has a top speed of over 200 mph due to it’s main focus on speed, lightness and agility. The 2013 model sees a new supercharger, new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle. Hopes are high that this one will make most use of the torque bomb that hides under the hood.
Ford has introduced another special Mustang at the LA Auto Show. 2013 Shelby GT500 – raises the bar high on performance with the introduction of the new 2013 model that goes on sale next year delivering 650 horsepower and a top speed of more than 200 mph.
The road-legal Shelby GT500 is powered by a 5.8 liter supercharged V8 with 659PS (485 kW) and 813Nm (600 lb-ft) of torque. The gearbox is 6-speed manual, which sends the power to a torsen LSD on the rear wheels. Nothing is said about the acceleration, but the top speed is 322 km/h (200 mph).
The 2013 Shelby GT500 offers two new sets of forged-aluminum wheels including a unique wheel for cars with the optional packages. The 19” front and 20” rear wheels are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires on all vehicle configurations.
The new Shelby GT500 can be ordered with Performance Package includes Bilstein electronically-adjusted dampers, while the Track Package features an external engine-oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler to prevent over-heating on the track.
2013 Ford Shelby GT500
Other keys for improved traction management include:
Torsen limited-slip differential:When customers order the optional Performance Package, they will get a Torsen limited-slip differential that helps the rear suspension deliver maximum torque and traction better and longer under track conditions
Launch control: A new launch control system lets drivers set the desired launch rpm depending on tire temperature, street surface or other conditions. Unique to SVT’s launch control is that it is integrated with both the engine control and traction control
Brembo braking system: A new Brembo brake system offers drivers enhanced stopping power to help keep their car under control, both on the road and the track. New six-piston calipers in front along with larger front and rear rotors help improve brake fade. New brake pads that are more aggressive also help the car achieve high deceleration and further robustness for more driver confidence
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra is a unique built – a tribute to the American legend Carroll Shelby. The last 60 years Shelby worked with Ford and Cobra has been the consistent performance label.
SVT is to Ford as AMG and M are to Mercedes and BMW respectively – a performance arm focused mainly on shredding track times and delivering the ultimate driving experience. SVT was first heard of at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show with the unveiling of the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning. This year, the Chicago Auto Show will be the site of SVT‘s 20th anniversary and a 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible will be there mark the occasion.
Ford has introduced another special Mustang at the LA Auto Show. 2013 Shelby GT500 – raises the bar high on performance with the introduction of the new 2013 model that goes on sale next year delivering 650 horsepower and a top speed of more than 200 mph.