Tag Archives: Shelby
3 Things to Know About the 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has been spotted making its rounds in a testing facility. The car is expected to be the most powerful Mustang in Ford’s lineup.
In our previous article, we have featured the five most powerful American cars wherein the 2014 model of the Shelby GT500 landed in the number four spot, thanks to its 5.8-liter supercharged V8 engine with 662 hp. The 2018 model will likely surpass that based on sources.
Check out the 3 things we learned about the upcoming car based on several reliable sources:
1. Engine
The new Shelby GT500 might benefit from the 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 engine carried by the GT350. However, the GT500’s engine will possibly be a supercharged version of the unit with a 90-degree crankshaft compared to the GT350’s 180-degree piece. Other reports also speculate that it will get a twin turbo version. Look forward to its output being at least 700 hp.
The power of the car will most probably be distributed via a six-speed transmission for its standard model. A 10-speed automatic transmission gearbox co-developed by Ford and General Motors for the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 might be optional.
2. Design
The 2018 Shelby GT500 is predicted to adopt the updated styling of Mustang Shelby models except the GT350. Since the GT500 sits above its siblings, it will definitely feature a more aggressive look with huge air intakes, wider fenders, sportier diffuser, angrier front bumpers and bigger tires.
3. Pricing
We might see the new Shelby GT500 before the current year ends. It will likely have a starting price tag somewhere around the $65,000 mark.
The auto will come as Ford’s response to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, BMW M4, Cadillac ATS-V Coupe and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.
2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Spy Shots
Check out the spy shots of the upcoming Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 by Car and Driver in the gallery below:
5 Most Powerful American Cars and SUVs Today
Earlier, we have discussed how automotive experts wanted the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon banned from the roads. They are worried that its ridiculously high output might trigger reckless drivers. That is subject for debate though.
For now, let us take a look at where the Dodge Demon falls under the 5 most powerful American cars and sport utility vehicles today based on an article from Fox News Auto.
1. 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Unsurprisingly, the Demon falls into first place, thanks to its 6.2-liter V8 engine that can produce up to 808 hp. As if that’s not yet high enough, the source said that pumping the vehicle with 100 octane race gas can raise its output to 840 hp.
2. Dodge Challenger/Charger SRT Hellcat
The Hellcats each carry a 6.2-liter V8 unit. The engine packs 707 hp. The Challenger model is capable of getting a top speed of 199 mph while the more aerodynamically-built Charger can take up to 204 mph.
3. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is considered as the most powerful in the SUV segment. The auto shares the same engine as the Hellcat, which is good for 707 hp. The vehicle only falls a bit short in the torque department compared to the Hellcat. The Trackhawk has 645 lb-ft of torque while the Hellcat has 650 lb-ft. The SUV also boasts an all-wheel drive system.
4. 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 packs a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 engine. The output of the unit is 662 hp and it can reach up to 202 mph.
5. 2018 Chevrolet Camaro Z06/Camaron ZL1
Tying in the fifth place of this list are the Chevrolet Camaro Z06 and the Camaro ZL1. Each car is equipped with 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 650 hp. The ZL1 has faster shift times than the Z06 though as it has a 10-speed automatic gearbox compared to its sibling’s eight-speed unit.
First-Ever Shelby Cobra Headed For Auction
Any self-respecting car enthusiast would tell you that Carroll Shelby is one of the most influential personalities in the auto industry. And now, it looks like you can get a piece of the legend, or at least, his creation. If you’ve got money to spare, you may be interested to know that the original Shelby will be up for auction at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on August 19, according to a source.
We can now all begin wagering how much action and money this car is going to generate.
The CSX 2000 is the only car in the world created by Carroll Shelby himself, and it heralded the Shelby legacy that we still know of today. The first Cobra was created in 1962 when Shelby fitted the AC Ace with a 260-cubic-inch Ford V-8 engine. The V-8 was huge for that time but paled in comparison with the subsequent V-8s used in future Cobras.
Still, the technology was unique that time, and Shelby was the very first one to dive into it. The CSX 2000 became a sensation in the motorsports industry, especially because it was used as a promotional tool for many more Cobras that came after it. Shelby was so clever, in fact, that he painted the CSX 2000 many different colors to appear as if there was more than one Cobra out in the market.
So popular is the Cobra that Shelby’s company still makes “continuation” Cobras today, long after its creator passed away.
The original CSX 2000 remained with the company until it recently announced that it will be offered for the first time to the public. Unknown to many, Shelby and Rob Myers, RM Sotheby’s founder, were good friends. They made an agreement before that the CSX 2000 would eventually be up for auction, and Myers’ company will be the one to manage it.
Estimates said the Shelby Cobra could raise $10 million or more.
1964-1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe Can Hit 190MPH
Caroll Shelby’s dream of making the world’s fastest super car came true with his partnership with AC along with long-time associates at Ford Motor Company—the creator.
According to Top Speed, that created the Shelby AC Cobra, but that wasn’t nearly enough for Shelby who through his years of racing in Europe and North and South America throughout the 1950s dreamed to outrun every sports car there is.
With the Shelby AC Cobra not being able to outrun the Enzo Ferrari and the Ferrari 250 GTO, Shelby had Pete Brock design a more lightweight and aerodynamic body for the AC Ace. This allowed for higher top speeds at Le Mans’ Mulsanne Straight.
The design finally worked, and thus born the Shelby Daytona Coupe. The car’s debut race would be the 1964 Daytona Continental 2000 at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.
The AC heritage is evident in the design of the coupe. Brock’s design certainly made for a unique exterior. Similar to the Ferrari 250 GTO, the Daytona’s nose is pointier. The headlights are covered in plastic while the large grille was designed for higher top speeds.
The design of the Daytona is pure racecar. It is not made for comfort, but for racing alone.
Like Shelby’s other creations, the Daytona will house the Ford V-8 engines. But to ensure higher speed, Shelby made the coupe’s rear axles beefed up to withstand the torque from the 4.7-liter V-8 engine. It also has a 3.07 ring and pinion gear, as well as the same suspension system from the AC Shelby Cobra Mark II.
The main competition for the Daytona Coupe is the 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO. The two share the same design, including the fastback rear window, covered headlights and the small oval grille down low. This Italian racer is packing 3.0-liter V-12 engine that can produce 302 horsepower, and can race at 190mph on the Mulsanne Straight.
Only six of the Shelby Daytona Coupes were built. You can see an unrestored but mechanically reconditioned one at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Phildelphia. That car is worth $4 million.