2013 Ford Shelby GT500 OVERVIEW

The 2013 model year brought about some huge changes for the GT500, though its basic construction remained identical to the 2012 model year. The biggest additions were bumping the engine to 5.8 liters engine and adding a new supercharger, giving the 2013 GT500 a full 662 horsepower and 631 foot-pounds of torque. Another big deal for the 2013 model year was the addition of launch control, which allows even the most novice driver to unleash the engine’s performance perfectly, getting it to 60 mph in just about 3.5 seconds. Also added in was a new Brembo braking system with 14-inch front rotors and 11.8-inch rear rotors.

Though the GT500 had only one trim level, it did have a few available packages. The first package is the SVT Track Pack, which tosses in all you need to have a track-ready car, like an external engine-oil cooler, transmission cooler with pump and a differential cooler with pump. The SVT Performance package is another option and it adds in a TORSEN torque-sensing rear differential for better traction, Bilstein adjustable shocks, and exclusive rear coil springs, instrument cluster and gear shifter knob. Last, but certainly not least, is the Electronics package, which adds ion dual-zone auto climate control, Navigation with Sirius XM Traffic and Travel Link, and HD Radio.

The muscle car realm is not what it was in the 1960s, so competition is relatively limited for the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500. Its main competitor, of course, is the 2013 Chevy Camaro ZL1, which features a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 580 horsepower, a 4.4-second 0-to-60 time, leather seating and a nine-speaker, 245-watt audio system. The next competitor is the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, which features a 6.4-liter V-8 engine with 470 horsepower, launch control and adaptive suspension. Chevrolet gets back into the mix with its 2013 Corvette ZR1, which features a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 628 horsepower, a 3.8-second 0-to-60 time and a six-speed manual transmission.

As you can see, the competition has dwindled for the GT500, but it is still there and the rivalries are still as strong as ever.