Shelby GT500
Update: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Official HP Number Doesn’t Start With a “6”
Dodge caused quite a stir among muscle car enthusiasts when they took the wraps off the Challenger SRT Hellcat, the new top-spec offering of the brawny coupe. While the Hellcat boasts massive six-piston Brembo brakes, uprated suspension, a new optional 8-speed gearbox (a six speed manual is standard), and a host of aero tweaks to go along with its refreshed styling, the centerpiece of the model is the all-new, 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. But they remained vague about horsepower specifics, only offering “over 600 horsepower” as any indicator of what to expect. Turns out Dodge was being rather coy.
Preview: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
As much as the Mopar faithful would like to deny it, for the past few years the pony car wars have been a two horse race, with Ford’s 662 horsepower Mustang Shelby GT500 and Chevrolet’s 580hp Camaro ZL1 leaving the 470 horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT8 in the dust when it comes to performance. Rumors about a supercharged variant of the Challenger have been circulating for years, but Chrysler remained tight lipped about the existence of such a beast. This week, Dodge finally took the wraps off the Challenger SRT Hellcat, an ultra high performance variant of the muscle car that should authoritively bring the Challenger back into the fold of the muscle car wars.
WR TV: 2014 Roush Stage 3 Ford Mustang GT POV Test Drive
While a new factory-stock Ford Mustang GT is a capable performer in its own right, once the guys at Roush get their hands on it, this pony is transformed into a whole new animal. While the Roush Stage 3 package sports a host of suspension, brake, interior and appearance upgrades, the star of this particular show is clearly Roush’s exhaust upgrades and the supercharger bolted atop the GT’s 5.0-liter V8. Output now stands at 575 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque, and when mated to a six speed manual transmission like this particular example is, tires everywhere tremble in fear.
Rumors: Spy Shots—2015 Ford Mustang Scooped
Ford Mustang fans have had much to celebrate over the past few years. Models like the Mustang Boss 302 and the 2013 Shelby GT500 have not only elevated the entire Mustang brand to new heights, but also breathed new life into the American muscle car wars. And the ultimate winner in all this? You, the driver. Now, drivers may have more reason to celebrate if these spy photos, courtesy of Autoblog, are a true indication of things to come.
Winding Road Issue 86 Is Now Available!
This month, we are proud to bring you the 2012 Winding Road Supercar Issue. In it, we get behind the wheel of the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S. Plus, we pack a bunch of other automotive content in this issue:
Comparison: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Coupe
What then of these newest, most powerful, and most promising brace of ponies: the Shelby GT500 and the Camaro ZL1? Where do they fit in the pantheon of great Detroiters, of muscle cars, and of driver’s machines?
First Look: 2013 Ford Mustang GT500 Convertible
Well, this is one way to ring in a 20th birthday. Ford has just unveiled the 2013 GT500 Convertible as part of the Special Vehicle Team’s celebration of 20 years spent building fast cars and trucks that wear the Blue Oval badge.
Secondhand Gems: Big Horsepower
When the 2013 Shelby GT500 goes on sale next year it will pack 650 horsepower, making it the most powerful V-8 production car in the world. It handily slams the door on the General’s new 580-horsepower Camaro ZL1 in terms of power, and even manages to nip Chevrolet’s other horsepower hero, the supercharged ZR1. The Dodge boys have nothing remotely close to the Shelby’s new power in V-8 trim, and even the forthcoming 2013 Viper (of which details are still shrouded in mystery) may not pack an equally powerful punch. The 2013 GT500 will have more than double the power of not one, but two Mustang GTs made just two years ago, and it would take five and a half of Ford’s popular Fiesta subcompact to equal the guts of just one 2013 Shelby. And don’t forget, it’ll still be a street-friendly car with a full factory warranty. If we’re on the brink of a major energy crisis spurred by diminishing oil reserves, at least we’re going out with a bang.
First Look: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500
We like this modern Muscle Car War that’s been going on. As if Chevrolet’s upcoming Camaro ZL1 wasn’t attractive enough with its 580-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, Ford has now announced a 650-horsepower (!) GT500. Let’s put that number in perspective. It’s 12 more horsepower than a Corvette ZR1, 30 more than a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, and it’s about equal to the Ferrari FF. Yes, there’s more to life than just horsepower, but a 650-horsepower Mustang that comes with a factory warranty is enough to inspire jaw-on-the-floor stares.
List: What Car Would You Buy With $100,000?
Here’s a party game to try out with all of your car-loving friends and family members over the upcoming holiday season. The scenario is this: someone hands you $100,000 in a suitcase and tells you to buy a car. You can only buy one vehicle with the money, and you don’t get to keep the change when you’re done.
Quick Drive: 2010 Roush 540RH
One of the very first things that grabbed my attention when we were loaned Roush’s 2010 540RH Mustang this past fall, was the lack of overt attention grabbing it did. That is to say, most of the Roush-tuned products that I’ve had the pleasure to test on behalf of Winding Road, have come complete with body kits, paint jobs, huge chrome wheels, and decaling that would insure they not ever be overlooked. I’d guess that a large number of the typical Roush customers appreciate that sort of extroverted appearance, but I was nevertheless pleased by the slightly more undercover nature of the, very, very fast 540.
Chicago 2010: We Fall In Love With The 2011 Shelby GT500
We love the Shelby GT500. We really love that the 2011 model gets a substantially lighter aluminum engine, more power, and an optional performance package.
First Look: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Gets Powertrain And Performance Upgrades
Like the V-6 and V-8 Mustangs, the top-dog Shelby GT500 is also receiving some pretty substantial changes for the 2011 model year. A bit more power, better fuel economy, and new performance upgrades are on hand, meaning that the GT500 will be even more potent than the outgoing model — changes that we can definitely get behind.
Driven: 2009 Roush Stage 3 BlackJack
Since the dawn of the Shelby GT500 in 2007, the exclusive, supercharged Mustang experience is no longer just for the dedicated enthusiasts willing to shell out some extra cash to aftermarket performance manufacturers. Ford now offers 500 horsepower right from the factory, and with the Shelby’s starting price of around $43,000, some enthusiasts might find it hard to justify shelling out $56,000 for a Roush BlackJack—a special edition of the company’s Stage 3 treatment limited to just 100 cars for 2009. But for those who aren’t battling in a horsepower war, we think the Roush offers a bolder appearance and a bit more driving pleasure. Conveniently, it just so happened that we had a GT500 in our test fleet during the same week that we tested the BlackJack, and after driving them back-to-back, some of us would rather have the Roush, regardless of price.
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