Can you imagine piloting one of the most powerful production model V8 engines in the world? The day is closer than you think, as Ford unveiled the 2013 Mustang Shelby GT500 at the LA Auto Show, complete with 650-hp and 600-ft. lb. torque, capable of reaching upwards of 200-mph. And yes, it's completely street-legal.

How did Ford pack that much power under the hood? Well, it's not that the 2012 model wasn't capable of breaking the 155-mph mark, but it's sold with a limiter. When engineers were running tests for the new version, they removed the limiter and saw that the 5.4-liter engines had no problem getting well beyond 155 mph. Then, Ford's SVT Performance engineers switched up to a 5.8-liter aluminum engine, added a new Eaten TVS Series 2300 Supercharger, a large cooling fan, a higher-flowing intercooler pump and a large intercooler heat exchanger. And there you have it, all 650 horses going 200 mph.

While 200 miles an hour is definitely not a legal speed, you'll still be able to make the most of all that power every day. But if you want to split your time between the track and the highway, you'll be safe with Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential for better traction, among many other safety features. One Ford engineer says of all that power, "Years ago, that may have been a concern. But now with all the technology in these cars...they are extremely safe to drive."¹

Pricing hasn't been released yet, but the all-new Shelby GT500 is set to hit dealers not long after the 2013 Mustang, sometime this spring. But this is just a small taste of what's ahead: a full redesign is on tap for the Mustang's 50^th anniversary in 2015.

That said, stayed tuned with Danny Zeck Ford for more Ford news and updates. Be sure to contact us via our website to schedule a test drive or ask any questions. Or stop by and see us at 4501 S 4th St Leavenworth, KS 66048 to take any of the powerful new Ford models in our showroom for a spin.

Source: ¹http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/11/fords-new-mustang-shelby-gt-first-200-mph-muscle-car-/1