2017-'18 GT500 & GT500KR

[Erik427]

I keep hearing that the 500 will be a 2018 model. The "friend" that I spoke to said that low 11's are not a problem.

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[healntoe]

If Ford doesn't have a GT500 at Nurburgring this summer (June-Sept 2016), it is impossible to release a late 2017 model.

July, August and September will be busy so, still some hope for a 2017.5 like the GT350.

However, there is still lots of time for a 2018... and a refresh could be priority right now. I would still like to see a limited edition 2017 GT500 and a KR (R Package for the 500) in 2018.

Buuuuuuuuut... maybe Ford is skipping Nurburgring to retain the shock factory in November. Ring testing could go on in April 2017 and a limited run could be pushed out (137 GT350 MY15).


Right now, every move Ford has made with the Mustang has been profitable and highly praised. I'm not sure Ford wants to compete with a patchwork zl1 camaro in a variable ridden event...

Buying this Pill...all Ford has to do in preparation for a MY 2018 GT500 is build a few early production cars (as they did with the "15 GT 350) and assign them 2017 VIN's and could do this well into the model year. Would result in a huge launch for the GT500 and set the stage for a KR variant in 2018. Ford is clearly playing things very close to the vest and they have set a high standard with the GT350. This is all about timing and inflicting the maximum pain on GM with an announcement and possibly a teaser video they way they did when the GT350 was introduced. A new GT500 is imperative if Ford is to maintain its dominance over the Camaro and keep GM in a defensive position!

 

[Erik427]

I've received one tip from a somewhat credible source that the GT500 has ran quicker than mid 10's in the quarter early on in testing. If this proves to be true? I'm sure Ford will dial it back some.
I'm going to be conservative and predict a very low 11 second time slip with hero runs in the high 10's (Production Form).

 

[Darkane]

I've received one tip from a somewhat credible source that the GT500 has ran quicker than mid 10's in the quarter early on in testing. If this proves to be true? I'm sure Ford will dial it back some.
I'm going to be conservative and predict a very low 11 second time slip with hero runs in the high 10's (Production Form).

Mid 10's means awd. I can't see street tires hooking for that kind of time.

Who knows for sure though.

 

[JoeRacer]

Methinks you've done missed the point.

Here it is again:

AWD. ITS NOT "wrong" nor is it "IMPOSSIBLE"

THATS THE POINT.

An example was the focus. A car that up to now has not had this feature. Just like the Mustwng has not yet had it.

Therefore, it makes sense that this feature could feasibly be had on a superior car that could actually stand to benefit even greater than the Focus will due to the inherent abilities to more effectively put down the gobs of power higher trim levels of the Mustang produce.

Boom. Done. Class over.

AWD would make sense for a GT500 level Mustang. Even more sense than any AWD Focus.

These are the days of flat plane crank Mustsng V8s and AWD Foci.

Try to keep an open mind.

Progress, innovation, and better performance are all good things. Let's embrace them.

So, I had to make an account just to post a reply to this, because I thought it needs to be pointed out that there are a few physical limitations to making an AWD Mustang.

I am not saying it is impossible, but I am going to say it is highly unlikely that Ford would make the required changes (i.e. spend $) to the chassis to accommodate any AWD system. Now I'll go ahead and explain the hurdles that would have to be overcome.

The Focus had one main advantage to being converted to AWD that the Mustang does not have. The Focus has a transverse mounted engine and transmission. This means that a suitable transmission/transaxle combination could be mounted to transfer power to the rear wheels.

The Mustang has a longitudinally mounted engine, with the transmission located rearward of the front axle. This means that a transmission/transaxle can not be substituted to power the front wheels (this is the style of AWD Subaru uses). Ford would not want to use that configuration anyways. It requires the engine to be mounted forward of the front axle, essentially cantilevering an entire V8 in front of the axles would give horrible chassis dynamics and kill the handling. See any Subaru and their 4cyl mounted in front of the axles, and their tendency to understeer. Multiply by 2 for a V8, and that is the shit handling you would have.

The other option, similar to what the GTR uses, is a center diff that would take input from the transmission, and then have an axle going to a front diff and an axle going to the rear diff. Alternatively, you could put a transaxle on the rear that also sends a driveshaft back to the front diff. Either way, that won't happen because there isn't room on the chassis for that type of system, and Ford won't invest in the tooling/manufacturing changes required to make room.

All this to say, that an AWD Mustang is not in the cards for the S550 chassis. It simply is not physically possible as the chassis sits and Ford will not spend the $ for a mid-cycle redesign to accommodate significant underbody changes.

 

[mustang_guy]

I still think its funny people think an awd mustang is the answer. Dont mind me over here in my daily beater sti with 750whp needing slicks to put it down all on the street or its a spin city. :lol:

Doesnt seem like anyone with high power awd experience in here still but yet they seem to be experts on it.

 

[mustang_guy]

I keep hearing that the 500 will be a 2018 model. The "friend" that I spoke to said that low 11's are not a problem.

:lol: low 11s still werent a problem in the 13-14s. I ran 11.3@127 with a 1.8 60ft, bone stock the way it rolled off the show room in my 2014. That was in 1500-2000 Da.

The issue is most people cant drag race to save their life.

 

[Hack]

I still think its funny people think an awd mustang is the answer. Dont mind me over here in my daily beater sti with 750whp needing slicks to put it down all on the street or its a spin city. :lol:

Doesnt seem like anyone with high power awd experience in here still but yet they seem to be experts on it.

I think it's funny that people continue to mischaracterize each other rather than debating the actual points being made. From what I've seen some people on here are saying it's possible that Ford could consider AWD. They are saying AWD would be a game changer by making the car quicker in lower traction situations.

I'm sure you aren't saying that your STI would hook better if it were 2WD instead of AWD, but your post could be interpreted that way. Are you saying your STI would be faster and hook better on the street if it were 2WD?

What section width tires do you have on the STI?

 

[mustang_guy]

I think it's funny that people continue to mischaracterize each other rather than debating the actual points being made. From what I've seen some people on here are saying it's possible that Ford could consider AWD. They are saying AWD would be a game changer by making the car quicker in lower traction situations.

I'm sure you aren't saying that your STI would hook better if it were 2WD instead of AWD, but your post could be interpreted that way. Are you saying your STI would be faster and hook better on the street if it were 2WD?

What section width tires do you have on the STI?

What im saying is that awd still needs slicks once you get some real power under it, same as rwd. 255s. Awd adds weight and requires a tranmission to handle the power. Hell the tremec 6060 already isnt strong enough for the gt500. Does anyone actually think the shockloading from awd isnt going to be even harder on a trans? People are going to have gtr transmission problems all over again that will cost a ton to repair or build up. I dont think people get what they are actually asking for.

Im honestly curious who has actual awd ownership experience with subies, evos or gtrs? Ive owned two out of the three and have a close friend with a gtr. They all need slicks once you get around 650+

Awd has no place on a gt500. Contrary to what people see on youtube with average drivers, rwd is king of the drag strip, not awd. Properly set up rwd is king on the street too. Thats what a gt500 is meant for. The key is suspension set up for what kind of racing you want to do. Street, strip, road course etc, they all require specific dialing in. Awd is a bandaid, although it can be a fun one.

 

[Ninjak]

I will have to agree with the above. I have seen properly setup & driven STREET MUSTANGS at the track cut 1.5 or better 60ft. I have seen FI Mustangs easily stay with AWD cars on the track. Done and DRIVEN correctly RWD will do fine.

 

[mustang_guy]

I will have to agree with the above. I have seen properly setup & driven STREET MUSTANGS at the track cut 1.5 or better 60ft. I have seen FI Mustangs easily stay with AWD cars on the track. Done and DRIVEN correctly RWD will do fine.

Ive had previous mustangs set up that could easily 1.3 60ft on the street. If you are specifically dialed in for street racing from a dig traction easy enough to find if you are a good driver. If you want traction from a roll settings need to be different. Set up is key.

 

[zombiekiller]

oddly enough.. GT500 was a trim option for 2017s on Fordparts.com for about 48 Hours.

I only noticed it because i was digging through parts diagrams looking for a specific plastic cover.

 

[thePill]

oddly enough.. GT500 was a trim option for 2017s on Fordparts.com for about 48 Hours.

I only noticed it because i was digging through parts diagrams looking for a specific plastic cover.

Ford wants the zl1 details to emerge so they can let something slip immediately. I think Chevy is actually pushing the zl1 back due to cooling. The 2017 z06 production has ceased to find a fix. Some improved aero won't be the doc they need. There is also a radiator fix on the way and I assume it also includes the CTS/zl1. So far, the CTS has the best airflow design. The zl1's addional radiators are trying to achieve the same level of cooling as the z06's. They need a more ATS/CTS designed fascia for the camaro or an AC delete would probably fix it. The z06 needs an AC delete too...

Right now, the demand is already too high for the existing models. The decrease in demand has just started in the US so, the time is almost right.


1.) zl1 needs exposed (include some track times)

2.) US Mustang demand begins to decrease.

3.) Wait for a Major Auto Show (LA)

 

[thePill]

2017 GT500 is on Ford.com

Google search quick before it vanishes!!!

 

[HCT]

I think Chevy is actually pushing the zl1 back due to cooling. The 2017 z06 production has ceased to find a fix.

No, that's simply wrong. Production has stopped as it always does, in order to switch over to the new model year. They're not still looking for a fix to Z06 cooling, they've already announced changes, including using the hood element that they're already using on the ZL1.

Engineers have to design these types of changes months ahead of time so they can go through a full QA cycle, then have time for suppliers to tool up, etc.

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