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2nd
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This is crazy: A production car that, out of the box, produces a 662-horse cavalry is about as rational as going moose hunting with a bazooka.
A true American musclecar that sings the Star-Spangled Banner every time you solicit its supercharged V8. A car so brutal, so devastating as the 2013 Shelby GT500 has no right existing in today's rational, environmentally friendly society. Then again, neither do beige Corollas hogging the passing lane. If you feel like a maverick, get yours today. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Yes, when we look at what manufacturers are launching right now, we can safely say that the horsepower war is alive and well. And Ford just won the latest battle.
The 2013 Shelby GT500 is so badass, so tire-shreddingly insane that it's like no one has a clue what an ozone layer is -- and that's what's so addictive about it.
With a base price of $61,699, the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 can be considered a helluva deal for the amount of firepower you get to play with. For a Mustang, however, that's pretty steep. Our test car stickered at over $70K.
Mind-boggling acceleration
You can't just stomp on the gas pedal in the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Luckily, it includes a launch control system that allows the driver to choose his or her preferred engine rpm for the imminent blastoff.
According to Ford, the Shelby accelerates to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds; we achieved that speed in 4.2 seconds with near-bald rear tires (we didn't do it), and the launch control set to 4,000 rpm.
However, straight-line speed is only part of the story. The 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500's soundtrack is a noisy one, and every time you stab the gas pedal your chest hair grows by a quarter of an inch. This is one macho, extroverted sports coupe.
Driving the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 reminds us of more innocent times, an era when people weren't conscious of the environment and gasoline was cheaper than hair grease. Although the exhaust is so loud you'll barely hear the supercharger shrieking, listening to that blown 5.8L V8 burble at idle and scream at wide-open throttle gives you an instant rush of adrenaline.
You'll want more, but that's when your talents as a driver and as a responsible human being are added to the equation. With 662 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque on tap, you need to exercise a great deal of restraint or you'll get into trouble. That's part of the fun, right?
Do you really want to know what our fuel economy average was? I'll tell you: 13L/100km with restraint, and 18L/100km without. I knew you wouldn't care.
Retro cockpit
Inside, there aren't obvious clues that you're pimping in a 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 besides a cobra logo on the steering wheel and a small inscription on the passenger side of the dash. But that's OK; your passengers will be too busy looking at the blurred scenery ahead, or hanging on for dear life to notice much else.
We were treated to the optional Recaro leather seats, with no power adjustments whatsoever. No problem, it adds to the retro-ness of the car. On the other hand, we got Ford's SYNC and the optional navigation system in the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, very useful for finding gas stations, a place you'll be visiting quite frequently.
Where's the grille?
One peculiar aspect of the 2013 Ford GT500, and what actually makes it easily identifiable, is the absence of a proper grille. It's just a gaping hole that leads straight to the radiator, perfect for sucking in bugs, birds, flying squirrels, and toy poodles as you try to best your quarter-mile times.
This Shelby looks so nasty, so mean, so angry that you'll get noticed everywhere you go. And Mustang owners everywhere will bow their heads in admiration. If you want attention, the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will provide you with plenty of that.
High price
Let's not forget that a standard-issue Mustang GT is already a beast with no less than 420 hp, for “just” $35K. Just so you know, the GT500 is the quarter-mile champ; if you want the best-handling Mustang your money can buy, go for the $50K Boss 302.
As for competition, the most potent rival currently available is the 580-hp Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which is a little more, um, affordable at $58,000. And unlike the Ford, you can get a ZL1 with an automatic transmission (just don't tell anyone).
 |
A true American musclecar that sings the Star-Spangled Banner every time you solicit its supercharged V8. A car so brutal, so devastating as the 2013 Shelby GT500 has no right existing in today's rational, environmentally friendly society. Then again, neither do beige Corollas hogging the passing lane. If you feel like a maverick, get yours today. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Yes, when we look at what manufacturers are launching right now, we can safely say that the horsepower war is alive and well. And Ford just won the latest battle.
The 2013 Shelby GT500 is so badass, so tire-shreddingly insane that it's like no one has a clue what an ozone layer is -- and that's what's so addictive about it.
With a base price of $61,699, the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 can be considered a helluva deal for the amount of firepower you get to play with. For a Mustang, however, that's pretty steep. Our test car stickered at over $70K.
Mind-boggling acceleration
You can't just stomp on the gas pedal in the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Luckily, it includes a launch control system that allows the driver to choose his or her preferred engine rpm for the imminent blastoff.
According to Ford, the Shelby accelerates to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds; we achieved that speed in 4.2 seconds with near-bald rear tires (we didn't do it), and the launch control set to 4,000 rpm.
However, straight-line speed is only part of the story. The 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500's soundtrack is a noisy one, and every time you stab the gas pedal your chest hair grows by a quarter of an inch. This is one macho, extroverted sports coupe.
Driving the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 reminds us of more innocent times, an era when people weren't conscious of the environment and gasoline was cheaper than hair grease. Although the exhaust is so loud you'll barely hear the supercharger shrieking, listening to that blown 5.8L V8 burble at idle and scream at wide-open throttle gives you an instant rush of adrenaline.
You'll want more, but that's when your talents as a driver and as a responsible human being are added to the equation. With 662 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque on tap, you need to exercise a great deal of restraint or you'll get into trouble. That's part of the fun, right?
Do you really want to know what our fuel economy average was? I'll tell you: 13L/100km with restraint, and 18L/100km without. I knew you wouldn't care.
 |
| The 2013 GT500's supercharged 5.8L V8 belts out 662 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque.(Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
Retro cockpit
Inside, there aren't obvious clues that you're pimping in a 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 besides a cobra logo on the steering wheel and a small inscription on the passenger side of the dash. But that's OK; your passengers will be too busy looking at the blurred scenery ahead, or hanging on for dear life to notice much else.
We were treated to the optional Recaro leather seats, with no power adjustments whatsoever. No problem, it adds to the retro-ness of the car. On the other hand, we got Ford's SYNC and the optional navigation system in the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, very useful for finding gas stations, a place you'll be visiting quite frequently.
Where's the grille?
One peculiar aspect of the 2013 Ford GT500, and what actually makes it easily identifiable, is the absence of a proper grille. It's just a gaping hole that leads straight to the radiator, perfect for sucking in bugs, birds, flying squirrels, and toy poodles as you try to best your quarter-mile times.
This Shelby looks so nasty, so mean, so angry that you'll get noticed everywhere you go. And Mustang owners everywhere will bow their heads in admiration. If you want attention, the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will provide you with plenty of that.
 |
| You'll be able to distinguish the 2013 GT500 by the absence of a proper front grille.(Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
High price
Let's not forget that a standard-issue Mustang GT is already a beast with no less than 420 hp, for “just” $35K. Just so you know, the GT500 is the quarter-mile champ; if you want the best-handling Mustang your money can buy, go for the $50K Boss 302.
As for competition, the most potent rival currently available is the 580-hp Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which is a little more, um, affordable at $58,000. And unlike the Ford, you can get a ZL1 with an automatic transmission (just don't tell anyone).