The 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500The new 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500, benefits from even more improvements from Shelby and the Ford SVT engineers, cranking engine 2013 Ford Mustang Cobra Exterior StylingWell, there's no more need for spy photos, the snake is out of the bag.As you'll see in the accompanying 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500 pictures, changes in styling and exterior pieces seem to be more for function than as a result of any particular stylish change in direction. The front fascia is basically grille-less, with the area usually occupying the fog lights on the 2013 Mustang GT filled in on the right hand side with a Shelby Snake logo and the left hand side covered by slats which disguise the snake's remote oil cooler air ducting. And like the new 2013 Mustang, the 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500 benefits from the new LED trimmed front headlight bezels and rear LED rope lights surrounding the twin sequential tail lights. 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Steering and SuspensionWith an already superb handling performance, you'd wonder what they could do, to improve it, save for the addition of an independent rear suspension.
Even though it looks like no IRS is in the cards, the underpinnings still received some massaging and improvements, including an electronically adjustable Bilstein suspension damping system. Having owned and had to pay repairs on a car with one of those infinitely adjustable,constantly adjusted suspension systems, I'd like to think, that the Shelby GT 500's much simpler two setting, street or track valving settings will have the chance for a longer, less troublesome life. The stock Brembo brakes have been beefed up as well. Interior Styling and Additions
The interior is essentially the same as the 2012 GT500, but includes the very cool features seen in the 2013 Boss 302, such as your very own accelerometer, drag strip training Christmas tree as part of the Track Apps package. 
And like the 2013 Mustang Boss, there's the very nice Ford SYNC system to grace the interior of your 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500. 
Carried over to the new 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500,from the 2013 Boss 302, are the supportive and necessary Recaro bucket seats, with the necessary Shelby Cobra Snake logo. 
Engine and Drivetrain Specifications
The biggest news for the 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500 is a substantial increase in power, coming from changes in two areas. First, Ford's engineers have bored out the all aluminum 5.4 liter engine, which made it's debut in 2011 to a full 5.8 liter V8. Apparently, this possibility was factored into the mix when the engine was developed, so the cubic inch increase achieved from boring out the cylinders, represented no issues with cooling, or water jacket penetration. The engine, like it's predecessor, makes use of Ford's strong and thin, plasma transfer wire arc cylinder wall coating to prolong longevity. Also, as used in the 5.0 liter Mustang Coyote engine, the cylinders receive the benefit of oil jets, which both lubricate and cool the pistons and rotating assembly, further improving their life under high power conditions. And that's probably a very good thing, as no doubt, many of these factory supercars will be raced and pushed right to their new, higher 7,000 rpm redline. The second source of more power for the 2013 GT500 Mustang is the addition of a new, more efficient Eaton TVS supercharger, which I suspect is the same 2.3 liter blower that has been added to the 2013 Boss 302 .
Ford and Shelby engineers opted for a 2013 Mustang GT500 specific gear set, optimizing the 6 available speeds, in order to best use all that new power and hopefully, keep the new Shelby GT 500 away from the gas guzzler tax. Six hundred and fifty horsepower and decent fuel economy. Isn't technology amazing? The other changes to the drivetrain include a slightly beefier clutch and a change in the driveshaft, to a one piece carbon fiber unit. Not only is the rotating assembly marginally lighter and probably easier to balance, but there's one less part to break under heavy use. The 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500, with all of the changes and refinements is a car that is capable, in the right hands of reaching 200 mph. The caveat is, that like many European Supercars, without it's electronic speed limiter removed, it will be saddled with a self imposed top speed of 155 mph. Kind of steals the Chevy Camaro ZL1's thunder. As crazy as it is, even with the output of the new Chevrolet's supercharged LSA V8, the 2013 Shelby Mustang surpasses the Camaro ZL1's output by 70 horsepower, making the new Chevy hot-rod only just biting the heels of the 2012 Shelby GT500's performance numbers. Mustang. With all that power, having a launch control similar to that used in the 2013 Boss 302, is not only a nice feature, it's a virtual necessity. It makes getting all that horsepower to the ground, a no brainer. Just set the 2 stage rev limiter for the right off the line RPM, mash the loud pedal to the floor and when the light turns green, drop the clutch. The electronics take care of the rest, adjusting the redline back to it's new 7,000 rpm limit, ready for the next shift. This differential, usually referred to as a Type A, or Torsen T-1, is based on the original Torsen design and uses crossed axis helical cut gears to provide higher torque bias ratios than other types, including the 2012 GT 500 's system. The downside to these differentials, is the need to set them up properly, or face the consequences of noise, vibration and harshness issues, which these days, is of utmost importance. To ensure performance and long life, Ford added a temperature activated electric pump to cycle cool fluids through the 3.31:1 ratio rear end. Can't wait till the 2013 Shelby Mustang GT500 order guide is available. Better yet, a test race... Ummm, I mean test drive.
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