The battle continues....

[Zinergy]

If GM wants to move back to the top they need to stop being such a shitty company.

[cammed goat]

GM needs more performance vehicles. So far, there is the Vette, gen 5 Camaro, CTS-V.

I just remembered the gen 5 Camaros ordered with motors built by Livernois. 1000RWHP from the dealership lot.

[GTP231]

Like that would stop a GM owner from modding their car to go against a GT500? Some folks don't care about warranties if they build their engine right.

Yes but that Shelby is the beast that it is with the Ford 5 year 60K warranty. Some people care about that

[cammed goat]

True. Ford is making good on their past issues. If GM has anything in store, time to show what they have.

[GTP231]

GM could be waiting to see if the new Shelby actually has the advertised numbers

[cammed goat]

That's IF the Shelby has sticky tires on it. I remember when Motor Trend took the Hennessey Camaro against the Super Snake and Speed Factory Challenger SRT-8 a few years ago. The Camaro won only due to the poor tires/lack of traction of the Shelby.

What WOULD be nice is if GM relaunched the arrowhead or made a street-legal COPO Camaro with similar warranty.

[flash]

How does the GT500 manage its traction problem?
Of course, when dealing with 650 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, traction management becomes a serious concern, to which Ford answered with more than just new gearing. A new, defeatable launch control system has been developed that allows drivers unprecedented levels of control, allowing for specific rpm launch points to be chosen based on elevation, tire and street temperature and other variables. This system is fully unique to the SVT lineup in that it is incorporated into both the engine control and traction control systems.

There is also a Torsen limited-slip differential that comes with the optional Performance Package, something Ford says helps even further to deliver maximum power output to the ground. Rounding out the driving dynamic upgrades are tweaks to the AdvanceTrac system, which now features appropriately adjusted steering assist levels based on the changes to the car.

“We took a completely different approach with this car so drivers can choose their settings instead of a computer making the selection,” Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer, said. “Nearly every system the driver interacts with can be tailored to his or her situation including the Bilstein electronic adjustable suspension, launch control, AdvanceTrac and steering assist levels.”

Of course, with all this power comes the need to slow this 3,850lb beast to a stop, to which Ford, Shelby and SVT answered with a new Brembo brake system that utilizes new six-piston calipers in the front, along with larger front and rear rotors. Ford says it also developed new brake pads which are even more performance-oriented, intended to performance better under high-speed heavy deceleration.

Also part of the stopping equation are wheels and tires, to which the 2013 Shelby GT500 offers two new sets of forged-aluminum wheels including a unique wheel for cars with the optional packages. The 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are coupled with Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires on all vehicle configurations.

LA Live: Ford’s 200+MPH, 650HP 2013 Ford Shelby GT500

[Blakbird24]

You have to keep in mind that the ZL1 doesn't need any more power. These cars have reached the point where more power is useless. The GT500 hit that point in between 500-540hp...the 540-550hp GT500's are virtually no faster than the 500hp GT500 with the track pack. 650hp is going to change very little...the suspension work will help, but even the 2013 GT500 is not going to run with the ZL1 on the circuit, and it's not going to put any distance on the ZL1 until damn near it's 200mph top speed. No amount of power is going to fix this...you could give both cars 800hp, or you could give both cars 500hp and the results would be identical. We have reached the point where weight and suspension are officially completely more important than power output.

I'm just interested to see where it goes from here. I won't be surprised if Ford just continues to up the power...i'm HOPING GM will take the smarter route and concentrate on weight and suspension...500-550hp is more than enough for the ZL1 into the next generation if they keep the magneheteorogical damping and work on weight reduction. I'm very interested in these cars right now, but I will lose interest fast if they end up being 800hp, 4500lb blocks.

[cammed goat]

Well...here's the thing. SLP already has their ZL-1 out on the streets currently. What GM COULD do with their ZL-1 is go the same route as with the Commemorative Corvettes. Lighter wheels as well as lighter body panels...if the ZL-1 doesn't already have lighter body components.