Spy Shots Reveal Ford Might Be Doing Something About Its Third-Place Pony Car Power

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Ever since the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 disappeared after 2014, taking the pony car horsepower crown with it, the other members of the Detroit Three were only too happy to relegate the Blue Oval to third place.

While the GT350 has performed yeoman’s duty satisfying Mustang fans — minus a cooling omission and some spectacular fires — buyers with a need for speed can now hit up a Chevrolet dealer for a 650-horsepower Camaro ZL1, or perhaps wander over to the Dodge retailer for a 707 hp Challenger Hellcat. You just know Ford wants to hit back.

According to new spy photos, Mustang aficionados could soon have their horsepower prayers answered.

The shots, taken in Detroit, show a camouflaged Mustang with heavy shrouding over the front and back ends, as well as lids clamped over the wheels. Even some of the sidewall markings have been scrubbed away. Clearly, Ford wants to keep a secret.

Interestingly, the man behind the wheel bears a resemblance to Dave Pericak, global director of Ford Performance.

While the camo-clad ‘Stang rolling through the Motor City gives away few secrets, its tires hold a clue. The photos reveal 20-inch rubber on the front wheels — 305/30/ZR20, to be exact. The existing GT350 and GT350R both carry 19-inch tires up front.

Unless this vehicle is an unusually early prototype for the next generation GT350, which was recently renewed for the 2018 model year with no drivetrain changes, all signs point to something hotter. Is the GT500 on its way? Already, many have claimed yes. A report last year cited an unnamed source who said the GT500 would return for 2018 with power “well over the 700 hp mark.”

The last generation GT500 made 662 hp, so a Hellcat-beating figure seems doable for Ford. Speculation has rounded down the possible engine choices to a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter Coyote V8 or a supercharged 5.2-liter Voodoo V8.

Whatever Ford is cooking up, don’t expect it to top Dodge’s Challenger SRT Demon. The Demon, with its 840 hp (when running 100 octane), will only see 3,000 U.S.-bound units before single-year production wraps up. Ford likely has its eye on models with showroom longevity.

[Image: Ford Motor Company]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • RHD RHD on May 02, 2017

    The Big Three are playing one-upsmanship with horsepower ratings. A few more notches up the rung and they will match the Koenigsegg's 1001 HP. The cold reality of driving on pavement is the existence of speed limits, rules of the road and trees. There's nowhere that 700+ horsepower can be put to work for more than about four seconds. Numerous muscle cars have been wrapped around trees and telephone poles and slid into roadside ditches over the years, and it looks like that trend will be continuing. At least there are better suspensions, tires, traction controls and airbags now.

    • See 2 previous
    • DenverMike DenverMike on May 03, 2017

      @slap Are you a man-child? 600+ HP/Tq is a good sane number in any 4,000+ lbs pony/sports, even with TC nanies OFF. I guarantee you a dumb 16 year old can get just as arrested or dead with just 300 HP/Tq. If you're and adult, you can deal with the temptation and not have to run it ballz to the wall, anytime, anywhere. A normal production, 600+ HP Mustang GT, with brakes and suspension to deal with it would be perfect! A GT500 if it must be. But ideally under or around $45K with an unlimited production run, and deep rebates/incentives if you buy right. Then I don't care if the others are up to 1,000 HP 1/4 mile bandits, very limited production and close to $100,000.

  • Brn Brn on May 02, 2017

    Ford, let Dodge play the crazy HP and drag racing game. It's not direct competition.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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