With a price tag approaching $50,000, though, supremacy doesn't come cheap. That's more than double what the plenty capable 305-hp Mustang V6 costs and almost $20,000 more than the already raucous Mustang GT. That's a lot of scratch for a Mustang, especially one stuck with an interior not much different from a well-equipped Mustang GT. Unimpressive interior materials and a tilt-only steering wheel are even more glaring oversights at this price.
But on the whole, these are minor blemishes next to everything that's great about the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500. It's a quicker thrill than the Camaro and the Challenger, and its backseat makes it more practical than a Corvette. No doubt it will be a fond deathbed memory for those lucky enough to own one.
Exterior and Interior
The Shelby GT500 is distinguished from the other Mustangs in the line-up by a more aggressive exterior look with a signature coiled Cobra badge on the front grille and front fenders. It also separates itself with a unique aluminum power dome hood with functional heat extractors and unique Shelby front and rear fascias, rear diffuser, and decklid spoiler. Both coupe and convertible versions come with racing stripes on both the top and the sides with 19" painted forged-aluminum wheels rolling at the bottom.
The interior gets leather sport buckets w/racing stripes coordinated to the exterior stripes and Alcantara Suede accents. A new feature for the 2012 model year will be the new sun visor that features illuminated dual vanity mirrors.
Two new packages are added to the Mustang’s list of options. The new Electronics Package is priced at $2,340 and includes Navigation and Dual Zone Climate Control. The $3,995 SVT Performance Package includes upgraded, premium painted forged aluminum wheels that are 19″x9.5 in the front and 20″x9.5″ in the rear.
The Engine
The 2012 Shelby GT500 will feature the same engine as the 2011 model year: an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque. This engine weighs 102 pounds less than the old motor. It’s mated to a six-speed manual transmission and delivers a fuel economy of 15 miles-per-gallon city and 23 highway.
The Competition
The Shelby GT500 takes on models like the BMW M3 , the chevrolet corvette, and the Dodge Viper SRT10. Now since the current Dodge Viper is out of production, the Mustang has one less vehicle to worry about in 2012.
The BMW M3 is powered by a V8 engine that develops a supreme 420 hp. Maximum torque of 400 NM or 295 lb-ft, in turn, comes at an engine speed of 3,900 rpm. The coupe version is priced at $58,400 and the convertible at $67,050. So we guess, in this case, the GT500 wins the battle being that it is more powerful and cheaper that the BMW.
As for the Corvette, the coupe is priced at $48,950 and the convertible at $53,600. Under the hood there is a 430-hp LS3 aluminum block V8 good for 190 mph on the test track. These two vehicles carry such a loyal fan base, that the decision of whether to buy a Corvette or a Mustang is really left up to customer bias. The Mustang is faster than the Corvette, but it is also a tad bit more expensive.
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