It’s official, the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will have the “most powerful series production V8 in the world” when it goes on sale later this year.
The latest Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged 5.8-liter V8 engine that makes 662 horsepower (494 kW / 671 PS) and 631 lb-ft (855 Nm) of torque, all the while returning a respectable EPA-estimated 15 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. That’s a lot more power than most supercars can lay claim to.
“Our goal is to create outstanding all-around performance cars, not just stoplight-to-stoplight sprinters,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer. “We’ve backed up this amazing powerplant with a more refined chassis tuning that helps keep the rubber on the pavement without punishing the driver’s spine and six-pot Brembo brakes that dissipate speed with ease stop after stop.”
For some perspective on just how powerful the 2013 Shelby GT500 is, consider that the menacing Corvette ZR1 (the most powerful production Corvette ever) makes 638-hp and 604 lb-ft. of torque. As an even closer rival, the Camaro ZL1 only makes 580-hp and 556 lb-ft of torque. Ford has created a monster.
