Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 Release Date, Price, and Specs

Jul 17, 2015 05:45 PM EDT

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is just one of many cars that the company will have available later this year, and like the GT350, this one does not disappoint.  So what does Ford expect to give its drivers with the Mustang Shelby GT500?  Here's a look at the Release Date, Price, Specs, as well as any recent updates.

As Car News 2015 has revealed, the prototype for the 2016 has been "perfectly concealed, not to distribute any outside styling information".  There are rumors suggesting that the 2016 GT 500 could "lose a considerable amount of weight".  Apparently Ford wants to bring the weight to about 3,500 lbs, to improve fuel performance and speed.  So far, there is little differences from the wheels of the prototype, but carbon-ceramic brake rotors were visible through the front wheel spokes and the rear disc appears to be made from steel. 

According to a not-so-recent article from Car and Driver, there is talking of changing the car's name to a different moniker like the SVT Cobra.  That isn't really expected to stick, but you never know. 

As far as the engine goes, the article from three years ago matches information we have today.  The GT 500 will have a supercharged 5.8 liter V-8 engine which the company has code-named "Trinity".  It is good for 662 hp and 631 lb-ft. of torque, which also has a 6500 rpm, 250 rpm greater than the 2014 Ford Mustang.  In addition to this, there is a brand-new tachometer at the overlay region featuring 7000 rpm like in other designs. 

The transmission for the GT 500 should be a 6-speed manual, and it might be available in automatic as well.  This new Mustang will make use of a new rear-drive platform that is known as "S550", which features an independent rear suspension. 

When it comes to the interior, spy shots show that the GT 500 2016 will have a similar small vintage steering wheel that is similar to the 2014 predecessor.  It will also have a cue-ball shift knob for the manual transmission and a retro tachometer.  Then there will be the Recaro leather seats with fixed head restraints and a "rather plain" audio system. 

Auto Uniteds believes that the 2016 Ford Shelby GT500 should be "a higher performance car" and that it will "paint the image of the greatest strength automobile definitely". 

When it comes to price, it is anticipated that the 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 will be about $54,995.  It should arrive in 2015 as a 2016, so that means that it will show up at the end of the year.