When it comes to Ford’s Shelby Mustangs, they’ve usually come in two flavors: GT350, which has been more road course/track focused, and GT500, which was destined to be the end-all, be all powerhouse version. That’s the way it played out in the late 1960s, and that seems to be the way it is playing out nowadays. The GT350, with it’s 5.2L V8, isn’t anything to screw with on it’s own accord…Ben Collins’ run at Goodwood showed the car to be a nasty, nasty bastard with the right soundtrack. But we have been aware that a new GT500 is in development, probably to take care of a certain pair of Hellcats, but that’s all we genuinely know.
Theories have started floating around the internet about the GT500’s source of power. Officially, there is no solid information, and all of this is pure speculation, but it boils down to two options. One is the option most are hoping to see: EcoBoost 5.0, a turbocharged or twin-turbocharged Coyote V8 that will have enough torque to slow the Earth’s rotation. With the Hellcat Hemi’s 707 horsepower a main target, boosting a V8 from the factory sounds like the stuff of gearhead dreams, and that’s not entirely impossible…at SEMA 2012 a Cobra Jet Mustang appeared wearing twin turbos. We suspect that Ford has been doing more than a bit of testing here.
The other theory has the potential to stir up the Mustang faithful more than when Ford threatened to slap the storied nameplate on the front driver that became the Probe: instead of a V8, use the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 that is currently destined for the Ford GT. Yep, V6. Nevermind the Ganassi Racing connection, or the LeMans racing program. Nevermind the well-over 600 horsepower rating. Vee-Six. On the surface, it’s a great idea: what’s good for the LeMans racer is good for the Mustang, and it would wean Ford off of V8 power, which seems to be the company goal. On the other hand, screwing with anything Mustang tends to whip up the fans into a near-riot, and this could do it. What do you think?
Wean Ford off V8s?
Watch potential customers wean off buying Fords!
Simples…..
They’ve about done it. And I’m fixin to wean myself from new Fords.
I feel like the tuning world hasn’t quite sounded the depths of the turbo 3.5 V6, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Shelby doing their take on the subject, since the finished product would be insane.
The ace in the hole the current Mustang platform has is its weight. Even if the engine only makes 600 horsepower, it could still edge out a Hellcat; even the new post-diet Camaro hasn’t slimmed down enough to compete. The other platform bonus is its handling: the Mopar twins are just a little too tail-happy (which in and of itself isn’t a bad thing) I think that the Mustang’s balance and suspension give it a decent advantage.
All things considered, though, a supercharged 5.0 is what I really want to see. Turbos are neat and all, but nothing says “performance gas engine” like a screw hidden neatly away under the hood.
yeh… V6 would be interesting from an academic standpoint… would I buy one? nope. Yes, horsepower is a major attractant but lets be clear, its not the ONLY thing that makes a Hellcat or any other V8 attractive..in the real world, nobody drives at full HP capacity all the time, in fact most of a drivers real world time is at part throttle lower speeds. And that’s where turbo mobiles become less fun. Nobody gives a rats about your turbo 4 (or V6) when its trundling along in the traffic at 35 mph… V8’s on the other hand are a hoot at low speeds too. Oh, and GS kid? Please don’t bother throwing your 2c worth in and tell me why my opinion is wrong – I seriously do not give a shit what you think, OK? just don’t even bother.
No,no, no- I have zero problem with a non v8 turbo Mustang( I owned a 1983 GT Turbo) but, not the GT500. It is a Halo/Statement model that NEEDS the historical connection and the rumbling idle of a V8. Few of these kinds of cars (Hellcat,Z/28,GT500) will be used in competition so it has to grab your attention idling by in the parking lot. If it doesn’t do that it misses the mark. We (gearheads) will know and care but the average person driving an Eco-box won’t know or care if it doesn’t rumble and have a nice graphic package.
That said, an HO Ecoboost V6 in a rally inspired or whatever sedan road racing class that targets Europe would work. All wheel drive and a strict diet, let them sell it there and then, like the Focus , if there is demand bring it home.
The fact is the fuel and emission requirements will mean more V6 performance and fewer V8’s. The GT500 HAS TO BE the King of Dearborns fleet, the dream car, that rumbles, gleams and glistens, and leaves you thinking about it days after you have seen it.
How about never.
GT 500 is Fords Halo car , period.
Just twin turbo a 5.2 Coyote to 1000 HP and call it over. What good it one upping 707hp to 715 , then here comes 725 then 735 etc…. heck with all that trough it all down at once and set back on top for the next 5 years. By then it will be all over,again , and the electric motors will replace the turbos, but the 5.0l will still be in place.
The top dog Mustang without a V8 would be like a Mustang EV, the V8 sound is the soul of the car and would you open the hood to show off your V6 even if it did have twin turbo’s, with 1000HP easily available from over the counter kits for a V8 a 600HP V6 isn’t going to cut it
Ford should have put the EcoBoost V6 on the GT350 and supercharged 5.0 in the GT500.
I personally would not buy a Mustang that is not a V8.
Awesome issues here. I’m very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and I’m having a look ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a mail?
The late Carroll Shelby would ask one question: Does it make better power? If the answer is yes, then he’d have shoved that boosted V6 in there himself.
I get that it’s a Mustang, and history says you can’t put a V6 in the top model. But history be damned, it never stopped Carroll from doing what made more power or made it a better car.
If Nissan tuners can make a lot hp from a twin turbo V6 in the GTR why cant Ford do it as well.
I think that it would make things interesting, however a v6 in the top model mustang would / could seem a bit sacrilegious. I think that the mustang is long in the tooth and while they may be iconic I think its time for the next generation of muscle / sports cars to come forward. I think the best route to go would be to either ax the mustang and bring forth a new, next-gen muscle / sports car or just use a very evil v8
I love the performance of the 3.5 TT. The reason I’m ok with it in the Ford GT is the sound. Turbos whistling away at idle, open wastage dumps between the tail lights. It’s RAW race car shit for race car purposes. If Ford even thinks about putting it in a mustang they have to make it SOUND BADASS. It can’t be a wimpy droning trumpet fart like I’ve heard in the production cars. What has been the main head line with the gt350 & R . “Listen to this engine!!” Make it sound as mean as it goes. Drown out the v6 with turbo noises if you have to!
GT500 is a V8 car period. Sacrifice some other badge for the EB experiment (Mach1, Cobra, Boss 3.5 or whatever)
I would prefer a V8, but if FORD can make a boosted V6 with good power (600+) and able to withstand bigger power, ok with me.
You could do the tt v-6. ….just can’t call it the gt-500.
bring back the twister name plate for it.