2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe

PREVIEW

There are certain sounds that will make a driving enthusiast drool like one of Pavlov's famous dogs. Firing up a 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, for example, elicits a throaty rumble so intoxicating that every car fan in the neighborhood is liable to show up in your driveway.

Lest anyone think it's some mere poser, this over-the-top Mustang variant has the bite to back up that bark. The Shelby GT500's supercharged V8 cranks out an astonishing 662 horsepower, making it the most powerful V8 ever squeezed beneath the hood of a production car. In practical terms, that translates to a 0-60 mph time of just 4 seconds and a top speed of more than 200 mph, numbers that put it on par with exotic supercars with six-figure price tags.

To complement all that power, the GT500 gets a lightweight carbon-fiber driveshaft, upgraded brakes, beefed-up suspension bits and the latest Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires. Adding the available SVT Performance and Track option packages helps boost the car's abilities with electronically adjustable shock absorbers, firmer springs and enhanced cooling for the engine and transmission.

At times, though, the GT500, as good as it is, can seem as if it's hampered by the limitations of the basic Mustang platform architecture. It's a capable handling car, but with its low-tech, solid rear axle suspension design, the Shelby GT500 can't match the handling confidence you'd get with the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and its fully independent suspension. As far as everyday annoyances are concerned, there's the 'Stang's underwhelming interior design (which is much more of an issue at the GT500's higher starting price) as well as tall rear-end gearing that can make smoothly pulling away from a stop tricky.

The 2014 Ford Shelby GT500 isn't the only max-attack muscle car vying for your attention, either. Topping that list is the Camaro ZL1, which isn't as quick in a straight line but did best the Mustang in a recent Autoepress comparison test. The 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 can't match either the Ford or Chevy in terms of horsepower numbers or raw acceleration, but it's certainly their equal when it comes to good, clean hooligan fun and old-school muscle car cool.

Although we wish the Shelby GT500 had a nicer cabin and felt more composed going around corners, in the end, these big-power muscle cars are all about your gut reaction. And if you want a very fast coupe or convertible with a beefcake V8 and styling to match, the 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is hard to beat.

FEATURES

The 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a high-performance model offered in coupe or convertible body styles and a single trim level.

Standard features include 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloy wheels; xenon headlights; foglights; an aluminum hood with heat extractor; a rear spoiler; air-conditioning; leather upholstery with faux-suede trim; full power accessories; a six-way power driver seat; heated front seats; a leather- and suede-trimmed steering wheel; cruise control; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; adjustable multicolor ambient lighting; Ford's Sync voice-control system; and an eight-speaker sound system with satellite radio, a USB port and an audio input jack.

Options include an SVT Performance package that includes unique wheels, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, electronically controlled shock absorbers, upgraded springs and stabilizer bars, and a unique shift knob. The SVT Track Pack (coupes only) bundles oil, transmission and differential coolers. An available Electronics package adds dual-zone automatic climate control, a navigation system and HD radio. Stand-alone options include manual-adjustment Recaro front sport seats, a glass roof (coupes only) and an upgraded audio system with nine speakers.

INTERIOR

For all of its menacing exterior styling, the 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 looks plain inside. In fact, if it weren't for the leather- and faux-suede-trimmed seats and steering wheel, you might not realize that you're in Ford's top-of-the-line Mustang. Sync's voice activation features greatly simplify operation of audio, phone and navigation systems. The buttons themselves don't have a particularly solid feel, though, and a large percentage of the door panels and center console is taken up by hard plastic.

One feature the Mustang lacks is a telescoping steering wheel, though thankfully, most drivers should be able to find a comfortable seating position. We recommend paying for the optional Recaro sport seats, which provide significantly better support during aggressive driving. The downside to the Recaros is that you give up the GT500's standard power adjustments and seat heaters.

As in most other sport coupes and convertibles, the Shelby GT500's rear seat is cramped and difficult to access. Coupes feature split-folding rear seatbacks (though the pass-through is narrow), and convertibles have fixed rear seats. Trunk space is a decent 13.4 cubic feet on coupe models. Convertible buyers will have to pack light, as the folding top mechanism shrinks capacity to 9.6 cubic feet.

UNDER THE HOOD

At the heart of the 2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is a supercharged 5.8-liter V8 that puts out 662 hp and 631 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels by way of the only transmission offered, a six-speed manual gearbox. EPA fuel economy estimates are 15 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 18 combined.

In Autoepress performance tests, the GT500 posted a 0-60 mph time of just 4 seconds That's quicker than the Camaro ZL1 and Challenger SRT8.

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2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Coupe

PREVIEW

Truer words (albeit penned a century ago) will likely not be found to describe the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500. We were already smitten with the 2012 model and its raucous 550-hp engine, but Ford has us downright obsessed with its new 662-hp power plant. That figure vaults this mega Mustang well into supercar territory, taking the prize for the most powerful production V8. Ever.

Power without control, however, is merely wasted excess. With this in mind, the 2013 Shelby GT500 has also been endowed with additional equipment intended to keep it from ending up upside-down and in flames. A new front splitter improves high-speed stability, and with a top speed in excess of 200 mph, keeping the tires in contact with the road is most certainly a priority.

Other additions include standard launch control, Brembo brakes, a carbon-fiber driveshaft, quad exhaust pipes and Mustang Track Apps (showing acceleration, braking and g-force performance) in a new display in the gauge cluster. The optional SVT Performance package piles on more upgrades, including a race-tuned suspension and cockpit-adjustable dampers.

Taking into account all of these performance-enhancing features, it becomes a little easier to justify the GT500's $25,000 premium over the already competent Mustang GT. To the Shelby GT500's detriment, though, its interior is too similar to the base Mustang and a far cry from expectations of a $55,000 car.

Then again, if you're wrestling with 662 hp, interior quality is probably the last thing on your mind. Considering this torrent of power and a price tag that is a fraction of what you would expect from similarly exotic, powerful cars, the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 represents a relative bargain (at least, that's a line you can use on your significant other). It out-muscles the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 2012 Corvette ZR1 and dominates the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Furthermore, the Shelby has the potential to battle with the hyper-exotics from Italy and Germany (at least in a straight line). If you're fortunate to enjoy one of these limited-edition stimulants, just remember that you are indeed, mortal.

FEATURES

The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is a four-seat high-performance coupe or convertible based on the Mustang.

Standard features include 19-inch alloy front wheels (20-inch rear wheels), high-performance tires, Brembo brakes, a rear spoiler, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, Mustang Track Apps, a leather/faux-suede-wrapped steering wheel, leather/faux-suede-upholstered sport bucket seats with racing stripes and Cobra logos, a power driver seat, Ford's Sync multimedia voice control system and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary/USB audio jacks and satellite radio.

The GT500 convertible adds a power-operated soft top. Both the GT500 coupe and convertible have side stripes on the rocker panels and hood stripes that run from nose to tail (but not over the convertible top). Ford offers a stripe-delete option for buyers who prefer a less ostentatious look.

Options include a glass roof for the coupe, leather Recaro front seats, heated front seats (but not for the Recaros), an upgraded nine-speaker sound system, an Electronics package (hard-drive-based navigation system, HD radio and dual-zone climate control), the SVT Performance package (unique wheels, a Torsen 3.31 limited-slip differential, cockpit-adjustable Bilstein dampers, stiffer rear springs and a unique shift knob) and the SVT Track Pack (additional coolers for the engine oil, transmission and differential).

INTERIOR

Except for some suede trim, Cobra badges and a cue-ball shift knob, the GT500 interior isn't much different from that of a well-appointed Mustang GT. The abundance of hard plastics and similarities to lesser-trim Mustangs in a $55,000 car is slightly disappointing. Gauges are slightly more legible than the hieroglyphics found in the standard Mustang, but both place the optional multifunction display too low in the center stack. Climate and audio controls are also small and hard to read at a quick glance; thankfully, the Sync voice-activated control interface nearly eliminates the need to bother. Outward visibility is best-in-class thanks to thin A-pillars and flip-down rear headrests.

Interior storage is notably scarce, with a shallow center armrest bin and a small glovebox and door pockets. The coupe's trunk can hold a generous 13.4 cubic feet of cargo, and split-folding rear seats allow you to load larger objects. The convertible lacks the folding seats and can only hold a maximum of 9.6 cubes. It's important to note, however, that these capacities do not take into account the optional massive Shaker subwoofer that essentially squanders one corner of the trunk.

Front seats are generally comfortable, although taller drivers may bemoan the lack of a telescoping steering column. Nearly any rear seat passenger, regardless of size, will find scarce legroom among their chief concerns.

UNDER THE HOOD

Powering the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 that generates an awe-inspiring 662 hp and 631 pound-feet of torque. Just as impressive as the peak output is the fact that 395 lb-ft of that torque is available just off idle. A six-speed manual is the only transmission available.

Despite the lofty power output and performance figures, the EPA estimates fuel economy at a fairly reasonable 15 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 18 mpg in combined driving.

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