2012 GT500 to feature 500 horsepower, twin-turbo "Coyote" V8, or not?

[wickedstangs]

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2010-ford-shelby-gt500-musang/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/2010-mustang-gt500-dead-on-blue-sunset-630.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2010 Ford Shelby GT500 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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While the Ford Shelby GT500s that we've lived with since 2007 are undoubtedly fast in a straight line, they have a major flaw. They are simply too heavy. For a variety of reasons, when Ford created the GT500, they opted to use a cast iron block rather than the aluminum dry sump block that was in the GT supercar. Between that and all of the performance model's extra equipment, the GT500 is over 400 pounds heavier than the Mustang GT with most of that hanging over the front axle. <br />
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Ford has acknowledged that the Mustang will be getting updated powertrains in the coming model years and we expect at least two new engines for 2011 including the 400 horsepower, 5.0-liter Coyote V8. PickupTrucks.com is reporting that for 2012, the Coyote should spawn a twin turbo variant with over 500 hp for the GT500. With an aluminum block, this engine figures to be markedly lighter than the current engine, which ought to give the car much better handling. <br />
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Another source with knowledge of the upcoming Mustang lineup referred us to <a href="http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/09/leaked-2011-ford-mustang-to-get-315hp-v6-400hp-v8.html">a report in AutoGuide.com</a> and tells us "this information is very, very, accurate... ". That report says that there will be instead be an aluminum block supercharged 5.4-liter V8 in the 2011 GT500. Apparently we'll find out in due course.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2010-ford-shelby-gt500-part-1/low/">First Drive: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, Part 1</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2010-ford-shelby-gt500-part-1/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/2010shelbygt500fdp1_001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2010-ford-shelby-gt500-part-1/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/2010shelbygt500fdp1_002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2010-ford-shelby-gt500-part-1/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/2010shelbygt500fdp1_003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2010-ford-shelby-gt500-part-1/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/2010shelbygt500fdp1_004_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2010-ford-shelby-gt500-part-1/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/2010shelbygt500fdp1_005_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Sources: <a href="http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/09/spied-coyote-5-0-liter-v8-ford-f150.html">PickupTrucks.com</a>, <a href="http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/09/leaked-2011-ford-mustang-to-get-315hp-v6-400hp-v8.html">AutoGuide.com</a>]<br />
<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/2012-gt500-to-feature-500-horsepower-twin-turbo-coyote-v8-or/">2012 GT500 to feature 500 horsepower, twin-turbo "Coyote" V8, or not?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/2012-gt500-to-feature-500-horsepower-twin-turbo-coyote-v8-or/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19179991/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/2012-gt500-to-feature-500-horsepower-twin-turbo-coyote-v8-or/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>


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[BD MACH]

that's what I'm talkin' about :rock:

I'm keeping my eyes open on the 2011 GT to see if they do indeed put the coyote in it...

...and to see if they fix the '010 tail...

 

[Ford1288]

These mustangs are so WICKED. I love them to death. Hopefully one day my pocketbook will be deep enough.

 

[Lordgufi]

TT ford eh? that would instantly be in the 600 hp range with a boost controler and a tune.

 

[crossbreedgt]

easily gufi. well im changing my christmas list.. no 2010 in my future ima wait

 

[spdpilot]

Those are two very good sources!

I won't say I said it first yet, but Ford has been saying Turbo (Ecoboost) this, Turbo that over and over and over. I suspect the rumor is true that the GT500 might be a twin turbo. I knew they would stick with a V8, but I was thinking along the lines of the 6.2L. Coyote would make more sense if they really are going to use it in the GT.

Can't imagine how pissed the current GT people are going to be when a 315hp V6 comes out. Less torque maybe, but a much lighter car.

If all of this comes true, I won't be selling my Shelby, but I might take a serious look at the V6 and add a turbo.