Shnack.com Mustang News

Ford Executives Confirm EcoBoost Mustang Rumor

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:12:38 -0600

While there have been rumors of an EcoBoost-powered Mustang ever since Ford coined the EcoBoost name, the company's executives have been pretty mum on the subject. But at an event in conjunction with the first press preview day of the 2012 Detroit auto show, the company's chief product man, Derrick Kuzak, acknowledged the existence of the turbo Mustang.

Said Kuzak, "Given the success we’ve had with EcoBoost across the lineup that we've talked about, it's fair to assume that we will have an EcoBoost Mustang in the very near future."

And that is all Kuzak is saying about that. Our guess is that the engine in question would be a four-cylinder version, similar to the 2.0-liter unit that will power the upcoming 247-hp Focus ST. If so, it would leave room for the current 305-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 to slot between the new turbocharged, direct-injected four and the 412-hp 5.0-liter V-8 (which will be upgraded to 420 hp for 2013). Earlier rumors indicated that the EcoBoost motor would be a larger displacement four-cylinder making more on the order of 300 hp. We're reading Kuzak's words to mean that the new engine option would appear within the next year or two.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Shelby Unveils 50th Anniversary Mustang Packages

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:58:15 -0600

To honor its 50th anniversary, Shelby American today unleashed a new line of Anniversary Edition Shelby GTS, GT350 and Super Snake vehicles. Only 50 white and 50 black of each post title Shelby model will be manufactured, making it an instant collector’s item and an iconic piece of automotive history.

“Few thought that Shelby American would make it in the car business for 50 years,” said Carroll Shelby. “We built the first Cobra in a rented garage and then GT350’s in an old hanger. But our company is still here, manufacturing the best cars that I’ve ever made. The next 50 years will be even better for Shelby American.”

The Shelby American name is synonymous with high performance worldwide. Over the past five decades, the company has relentlessly pushed the envelope with a string of superior vehicles and parts.

“Our golden anniversary is a remarkable milestone worthy of this limited edition line of Shelby vehicles,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American. “On the heels of the unprecedented sellout of our 50th Anniversary Edition Cobra 289, we expect demand for these new Shelby’s to be strong.”

Ford Announces New Licensed Reproduction 1967 Mustang Convertible Body Shell

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:12:42 -0600

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 20, 2011 – The latest addition to the growing stable of classic Mustang bodies – the 1967 convertible – just might be the ultimate stocking stuffer this Christmas for restorers of America’s favorite sports car.

The 1967 convertible body shell, the newest officially licensed Ford Restoration part, is now available to order starting at $15,995. It is the fourth reproduction classic Mustang body available to restorers, joining the ’65 convertible, the ’67 fastback and the ’69 fastback.

To qualify as an official Ford-licensed restoration part, the ’67 body shell has to meet or exceed the fit, finish and quality of the original, said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “The new ’67 convertible body shell gives restorers a super-solid foundation on which to build their dream pony car.”

2013 Shelby GT500 Debuts with 650 Horsepower, Top Speed of 200+ MPH

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:50:44 -0600

The ultimate Ford Mustang – Shelby GT500 – raises the bar high on performance with the introduction of the new 2013 model that goes on sale next year delivering 650 horsepower and a top speed of more than 200 mph.

“SVT keeps the Shelby GT500 on the cutting edge of technology and takes muscle car performance to new heights,” said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. “We encapsulated every aspect of performance in this car – whether it’s 0-60, top speed, racetrack or quarter-mile times. Beyond that, the daily driver also will find this car perfectly fits his or her needs.”

The 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block engine produces 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world. The 3,850-pound car also stays exempt from the gas-guzzler tax.

Nearly every part of the powertrain has been optimized for producing the additional horsepower, including a new supercharger, new cross-drilled block and heads, updated camshaft profiles, a new carbon fiber driveshaft and upgraded clutch, transmission and axle.

2013 Boss Mustang: Back With More

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:41:25 -0600

The Ford Mustang Boss 302 is all about performance, and a nod to heritage comes standard with new paint options and design details for 2013.

A new hockey stick graphic featuring reflective stripes is added to the new Boss, calling back the 1970 Boss 302. 2013 Boss 302 and Boss Laguna Seca models feature new School Bus Yellow paint, honoring Parnelli Jones’ 1970 Trans-Am championship car prepared by Bud Moore.

“Everything we did for 2013 is consistent with and links directly back to our 1970 heritage. The reflective stripes and hockey stick graphic in particular mean something to Mustang enthusiasts,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “Last year, we proved the car had what it takes to perform, and this year we focused on enhancing its eye-catching looks and celebrating its history.”

2013 Ford Mustang: New Design, More Technology

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:04:20 -0600

After months of anticipation Ford has finally unveiled the 2013 Mustang just ahead of the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show. You can read their press release and view some photos below.

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2011 – Ford Mustang – the icon of American performance and style – gets even more street swagger with a new design and a list of smart features that signal even more technology in the popular pony car.

“The new Mustang is the perfect example of continuing to build on excellence. It takes the greatness of the 5.0-liter and V6 and pushes the refinement to the next level,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The car has been spot-on functionally and now we’re adding more features and technology to further improve the driver’s experience.”

More aggressive design

The new model Mustang, which goes on sale in spring 2012, offers a more aggressive design with a significantly more prominent grille. A more powerful splitter adds to that appearance. Functional heat extractors on the hood of the GT were specifically placed and designed to help move hot air out of the engine compartment and cool the engine.

Spy Photos: 2013 Mustang caught in light camo

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:29:38 -0500

Now spy photographers have captured a 2013 Mustang test mule in light camouflage, as published on Autoblog.com, confirming earlier reports that the 2013 Mustang would receive a design refresh with styling inspired by the Shelby GT500.

The new batch of photos show what looks to be a V6 model (although it has the rear diffuser and rear wing of the GT/CS model) with a GT500-esque front end, even including an aggressive front splitter. As we reported earlier, the projector headlights now include an LED element, and the rear view of the car shows a distinctly different taillight design. The rear bumper seems to have been changed quite a bit as well, as there is a significant amount of black plastic surrounding the license plate.

1965 Mustang Convertible Returns with All-New Ford-Approved Body Shell

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:52:22 -0500

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 28, 2011 – It’s a classic car lover’s dream come true: Now it is possible to build a ’64½, ’65 or ’66 Mustang convertible from the wheels up using the all-new Ford-approved and officially licensed body shell.

The body shell for the original Mustang convertible, now in production and available for restorers as a Ford-licensed restoration part, gives classic car enthusiasts a new option in putting their classic dream Mustang ragtop back on the road.

“The 1964-66 Mustang is the most restored vintage vehicle. But the number of original 1964-66 vintage bodies is shrinking every year,” said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “Most of the original Mustangs left in scrapyards are rusted or wrecked beyond repair. The new body shell is made of virgin metal and uses modern welding techniques. It comes rustproofed, and after final adjustment and finish preparation of the body panels, it is ready for painting and final assembly.”

2013 Ford Mustang LCD Gauge Apps

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:16:33 -0500

If there was any questions about Ford’s performance image for the Mustang of the future, I believe they have been answered with the news of the 2013 Ford Mustang LCD Gauage Apps. Apparently part of a dealer training tool, the photos on the poster are out there now which show the new center gauge cluster information available on the upcoming 2013 Mustang refresh.

With specific information such as air/fuel ratios, 1/4 mile times, running cylinder head temps, inlet air temps, boost/vac (obviously for boosted engines like the GT500) the indication is that Ford is catering to the performance enthusiast Mustang buyer.

2013 Shelby GT500 Slated To Receive 5.8L Supercharged Engine

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:06:10 -0500

Details surrounding the 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500 have surfaced as part of a new labor agreement between Ford & the UAW, foreshadowing what should lead to a modular rendition of the 351ci / 5.8l Romeo-built power plant, slated to land in the 2013 Shelby GT500. Sources say this engine should easily pump out over 600hp, putting Ford Mustang ahead of the ZL1 in the race to the moon."How so?", some might ask... well, the reported 5.8l V8 is to be supercharged as well.

[Source: StangNet.com]