Rumor - The GT500 thread

[Chameleon]

AWD adds too much weight. I don't see that happening.

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[TOPdeadCENTER]

The Hellcat already spots us 715 lbs. Packaging may be an issue, but the GT500 is fords halo drag strip car and HP/AWD traction trumps weight when it comes to 1/4 mile times. Case in point: the Nissan GTR weighs more than the GT500, yet blows the '13 GT500 and Hellcat away in real world in the 1/4 mile.

 

[TOPdeadCENTER]

I think the platform for the new Camaro is based on the cadillac ATS - which comes with AWD. The hellcat can apparently also package AWD. We might be at a disadvantage if ford can't package AWD until the next re-design.

 

[K-Roll302]

I want a DCT option and in a bad, bad way.

I'd like a DCT or something comparable to the ZF 8-speed in the Charger and Challenger, and most BMWs. Hell, just put that 8-speed in there, it's an awesome auto!:cheers:

 

[SStormtrooPer]

Case in point: the Nissan GTR weighs more than the GT500, yet blows the '13 GT500 and Hellcat away in real world in the 1/4 mile.

Actually the GTR is 100+ lbs. lighter than the GT500, has the most advanced driver and launch aids out of almost any car you can buy today, and has closer gear ratios.

Not saying the AWD doesn't help, but there is much more to it than just that. Nissan loses money on that car and it cost over $100k -- it SHOULD beat a 500 handily.

There may be an AWD Mustang in the future, but it won't be an AWD GT500 -- that is not what the GT500 is about.

 

[BmacIL]

What disadvantage? 0-60 times? Who cares. That's bench racing. FUN matters more and RWD does that better.

 

[SStormtrooPer]

I'd like a DCT or something comparable to the ZF 8-speed in the Charger and Challenger, and most BMWs. Hell, just put that 8-speed in there, it's an awesome auto!:cheers:

This. If Ford wants a GT500 variant to stay competitive with the Hellcat, and whatever Chevy will do with the Camaro, they need to put in an auto with more gears. Manuals are basically fun factor only.

 

[SStormtrooPer]

What disadvantage? 0-60 times? Who cares. That's bench racing. FUN matters more and RWD does that better.

Who cares? Most of the people that pay over $60k to be the fastest on the street.

I agree that fun is worth more, but a company shouldn't ignore the folks that just want to be faster than the other guy just because they want the guys who like stick better to have more fun.

 

[TOPdeadCENTER]

'14 GT500 3845 lbs
current Nissan GTR weight per Nissan website - 3922 lbs

You have a valid point regarding the cost of an AWD GT500 but how much more does a AWD system cost? I doubt it's a $30,000 addition.

 

[K-Roll302]

This. If Ford wants a GT500 variant to stay competitive with the Hellcat, and whatever Chevy will do with the Camaro, they need to put in an auto with more gears. Manuals are basically fun factor only.

Pretty much this. Even if the Charger Hellcat is auto only, I haven't seen ONE Challenger Hellcat(or 2015 Challenger RT or Scat Pack even) that wasn't an auto.

Making a manual only GT500 wouldn't sell as many compared to a GT500 with both manual and auto offered, or just auto only.

 

[TOPdeadCENTER]

RWD IS fun on a road course. Lack of traction is not so fun on a dragstip or against that teenager with a WRX STI on a 60 Degree day at a stoplight. If you want fun with RWD, buy a GT350.

 

[SStormtrooPer]

'14 GT500 3845 lbs
current Nissan GTR weight per Nissan website - 3922 lbs

You have a valid point regarding the cost of an AWD GT500 but how much more does a AWD system cost? I doubt it's a $30,000 addition.

First, you should compare a 14 to 14, apples to apples. Second, Nissan may measure their cars different than Ford -- if you look at Edmunds or similar, they weigh using the same methods. The GTR was a little over 100lbs lighter as tested. At this point we are arguing a weight difference that is moot.

Regarding the AWD in the GTR, it is a very advanced system, but it is not just the AWD that makes the GTR fast -- that is what I am trying to say. There are so many electronics, drivers aids, launch control, super close ratio transmission, etc, that all contribute. Anyone can sit down in a GTR and be fast. The driver is no longer a factor.

I think Ford could slap a budget AWD system on the car to keep it cheap -- but then you end up with an AWD system that doesn't work well with 700hp, and is unreliable.

 

[TOPdeadCENTER]

The cost of development for the sophisticated electronics/drivetrain may have been at a premium when the GT-R was designed. These electronics are like the iPhone 4s compared to our iPhone 6s. The reason the GTR is so expensive in todays dollars vs the $79,000 my brother payed for his brand new GTR the first year they came out ('07?), has to do with the low production numbers. Do you really think the tech costs that much more in todays dollars?

 

[SStormtrooPer]

For a car that "should" have 200 hp/tq more than the GTR? Yes, I think so, though I don't know for sure.

It may cost a little less than it cost Nissan, but they still have to develop the tech, or buy it from someone. I suspect it wouldn't be cheap when it would be going in a car that would rattle the GTR almost half the price.

I guess it depends what they want -- high Tech like the Nissan stuff, or low tech like the SRT8 Grand Cherokee. That system for example is super tough, and works because the Jeep is heavy, but is nothing special.

 

[stinger556]

Take it for what it's worth, but 2018 GT500 news

DISCLAIMER: Not gospel, just rumors.

So I met with my brother in law today for unrelated business. He is a Ford Regional Manager (who has a background with SVT, then Ford Racing on the Sprint Cup side, and now acts as a consultant to Ford Performance) and for what it's worth, he said he and 9 other guys were recently invited to a supplemental type Ford Performance meeting where there was an open Q&A discussion forum and the invitees were able to view a prototype/preproduction motor that was on display of the upcoming GT500, and they were also able to view some early concepts of what the car may look like.

Here are the key takeaways that he mentioned:

What he saw: a Direct Injection 5.0 w/ Twin Turbo powerplant, but the word 'EcoBoost' was not used at all in describing the motor. No specs on the motor but the snails looked relatively small. The concepts of the car looked 'amazing' and featured wider rear fenders along with wider front fenders like the GT350, but the car was remarkably different and 'set apart' from the GT350 look and style. Also it sounds like Ford Performance is tinkering with different boost levels depending on the performance setting (sport, track, race)

Also Ford is supposedly going to utilize a heavy use of aluminum and carbon composite materials throughout the car with very little traditional sheetmetal.

It definitely sounds like this car won't be a 2017MY but possibly 2018. No word on Horsepower or Torque numbers, no word on Transmission either. Personally I think even a modest horsepower number and the additional weight savings should give the Hellcat nightmares.

Anyways just take this all with a grain of salt he wasn't even suppose to tell anybody. Also all mobile devices were taken prior to the small meeting and everybody signed some sort of confidentially document.

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