- The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the automaker's Special Vehicle Team, debuted on Wednesday at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.
- The convertible's supercharged 5.8-liter V8 churns out 650 horsepower and Ford engineers have managed to shave off nearly 3.5 seconds from the outgoing Shelby GT500 convertible's lap time at Sebring International Raceway.
- Pricing was not announced.
CHICAGO — The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the automaker's Special Vehicle Team, debuted on Wednesday at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.
The convertible's supercharged 5.8-liter V8 churns out 650 horsepower. Ford engineers have managed to shave off nearly 3.5 seconds from the outgoing Shelby GT500 convertible's lap time at Sebring International Raceway. The 2013 convertible also gets a new Brembo brake system.Pricing was not announced, but expect it to be in the ballpark of the outgoing model. The 2012 Shelby GT500 convertible with the 550-hp 5.4-liter V8 starts at $54,605, including a $795 destination charge.
The 2013 Shelby GT500 convertible can be ordered with the optional Performance package that includes SVT-designed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers. Ford said the convertible can be upgraded to a Track package with an external engine oil cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler.
A commemorative lighted SVT sill plate is also featured on the 2013 Shelby GT500 convertible.
"The Shelby GT500 convertible is every bit the performer that the coupe is," said Kerry Baldori, SVT Global Performance Vehicles chief engineer in a statement. "All of the significant changes we made in the program were instrumental in delivering a convertible that could really shine on the track but can still be driven on a daily basis."
SVT has produced more than 210,000 cars and trucks during its 20-year history, including the Ford GT, Mustang Cobra R and SVT F-150 Lightning.
Inside Line says: Ford's SVT team celebrates a major milestone with the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible.
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michael_s says:
06:23 AM, 02/09/2012
@zr1man, the Corvette ZR1 is over $100,000. The ZR1 has GM's Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Traction Management systems plus Michelin tires that are just this side of racing-only, and all together that make it one of the best stock track cars in the entire world. I guarantee the 2013 GT500 coupe or convertible can't hold a candle to it in any race where both cars are driven by skilled drivers.
But there are $50,000 reasons to pick the GT500 instead. And while I think both vehicles are gorgeous, I prefer the looks of the GT500. Since I never plan to go racing, the performance difference doesn't matter to me.
Then again I will probably never be able to afford any $60,000 vehicle, so it doesn't matter. :)
paulvincent1 says:
06:20 AM, 02/09/2012
zr1man, There is no "claims" about it, at the 7000 rpm redline the GT500 has at least 670 hp, and it is certain that wheel hp will also exceed that of the ZR1. What this all means is that the Ford Mustang engine out performs the Chevrolet Corvette engine. It is a fact, and it's not even close. Ford has detuned this engine to avoid the gas guzzler tax - a tax which the ZR1 - weighing hundreds of pounds less - must pay. Without having had to meet Ford standards to avoid the gas guzzler tax, the GT500 could have been released with even a greater hp. Yes, the ZR1 is the superior track car (as a 2 seater should be), but also it has to do so with an inferior engine. Take your push rods and go home.
zr1man says:
08:39 PM, 02/08/2012
Even though ford claims this car has a tad more horsepower than the ZR1, it is a fact that it weighs a lot more. Still the ZR1 will blow the stangs' doors off at the drag strip or the track. So who would want one? It is still a ford.
Chevy Runs Deep
v6mx3 says:
08:12 PM, 02/08/2012
BRING BACK THE FORD GT!!!
saunupe1911 says:
01:01 PM, 02/08/2012
@desmolicious
It has an LSD so in theory it shouldn't twist too much but that remains to been seen.
Secondly, is there anything else that's convincingly better at this price point! Stop hating
desmolicious says:
12:37 PM, 02/08/2012
This thing must twist like a pretzel when you give it gas.
650hp in that floppy body? Awesome for profiling, but get the coupe if you want performance.
p.s. 3.5 seconds quicker a lap than the old version doesn't mean much unless they let you know what times the coupe pulls.
command_0 says:
10:03 AM, 02/08/2012
I wonder if the SVT team had anything to do with the SVO "Operations" team? Also, how does this Shelby compare to the Shelby's you can have made from a GT? I assume that one doesn't have SVT written all over it. Regardless I think I'd prefer the factory Shelby over the other one.
4everrs says:
10:01 AM, 02/08/2012
I'm not historically a ford fan, but this thing is really sweet.
saunupe1911 says:
09:02 AM, 02/08/2012
CLASSIC and the small details will make it a collectors item. Also enthusiasts tend to buy the coupe instead of the convertible. I like these wheels better than the coupe.
God I hope the GT500's quad exhaust, rear fascia, and taillights goes on sale soon and can be converted to the GT. I would have bought the 2012 GT500 axle backs until the 2013 coupe was revealed.
awbmw6spd1 says:
08:24 AM, 02/08/2012
Love it. I prefer the ciupe but the conv look great too. Ford has done it again. By far the best american automaker.