2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Review
![]() At Moroso Motorsports Park, the Shelby GT500 was truly King of the Hill. The power is always "right there," and handling and braking are up to track duty. |
2007 Ford Mustangs
Driving Ford's New Alpha Male, the GT500
By Rex Roy
Photos: Ford Motor Company and the Author
TheAutoChannel.com
Clever those Ford marketing types … their new favorite phrase regarding the Mustang is "A steed for every need." So is this true, or just banal hyperbole?
![]() This line of Mustangs awaited us and provided an excellent comparison between the various flavors of Mustangs. A standard Mustang GT is at the head of the line. |
On a pleasant day in October, Ford rented the road course at Moroso Motorsports Park (near Palm Beach). They populated the track with all manner of Mustangs, ranging from the basic 300-horsepower GT to a full-blown Shelby GT500. The Mustangs were there for the press's driving pleasure, and it was just that.
Driving Impressions
Our baseline for the day was the garden variety Mustang GT. It's a pretty happy car around the flat 2.25 miles of Moroso. Things you'd expect from a standard run of the mill production car surface in the GT. As you up shift through the gears, the suspension relaxes then recompresses. This is never unsettling, it's just the way a high-volume production car is. Same for the brakes – they get hot and fade after a few hot corners. On the street, these things don't matter, but you notice them after turning a bunch of hot laps. On the plus side, we noticed how balanced the GT is. It is an easy car to drive quickly because it responds to the helm and the throttle with equal aplomb.
![]() Featuring parts developed by Ford Racing, the Shelby GT was the lightest and quickest feeling on the track. |
Moving up to the Shelby GT500, the driving experience changes completely. Powered by an iron-block 5.4-liter Triton V8 with a Roots-style supercharger running at 8.5 psi of boost, the alpha male of Mustangs puts out an even 500 horsepower. The transmission is a Tremec TR6060, a special 6-speed manual with high torque capabilities. Its suspension features plenty of unique performance pieces, and the brakes are massive 14-inch, 4-pot Brembo units. Both front and rear brake discs are vented. Rolling stock measures out at P255/45ZR18 in front and P285/40ZR18 out back.
![]() Leaving the slippery hole at Milan Dragway, the Shelby GT500 rips off another quarter mile run in the low 13s. Speed through the traps was over 109 mph. (Photo by Rex Roy) |
![]() The Shelby GT500 felt right at home on the streets of Detroit. It's looks swiveled heads everywhere, including at Milan Dragway. (Photo by Rex Roy) |
With the demise of the truly fantastic Ford GT, the Shelby GT500 is left to carry Ford Motor Company's performance mantle. While it is clearly the king of all current Mustangs, it's no Ford GT. However, this is an appropriate time to utter, "The King is dead, long live the King."
2007 Ford Shelby GT500
Base price: $41,295
Engine: Supercharged V8, 500 hp @ 6000/480 lb-ft @ 4500
Transmission: Six-speed manual, 3.31:1 final drive
Length x width x height: 188 x 73.9 x 54.5 in
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Curb weight: 3920 lb
Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 15/21 mpg (manual)
Safety equipment: Anti-lock brakes, traction control; front and side airbags
Major standard features: Climate control; power windows, locks, and mirrors;
18-inch wheels; tilt steering wheel with fingertip controls; power front seats; lots of Shelby badges
Warranty: Three-year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper; Five years/60,000 miles powertrain;
Five year/60,000 miles roadside assistance