Shelby Mustang – Not Your Typical Ford Mustang

Shelby Mustang – Not Your Typical Ford Mustang

In 2007 the Ford Motor Company began reproducing one of its most desired models of all time: the Shelby Mustang GT. Prior to this, Ford in partnership with Carroll Shelby had produced modern remakes of the Shelby Mustang GT500 and the 1960s Hertz rental special, the Shelby Mustang GT-H. However, all of these models were produced in limited numbers—the Shelby Mustang GT was the first Shelby Mustang to be widely available to the public and affordably priced.
It is powered by a 4.6 liter V-8 small block which puts out 319 horsepower and 330ft-lb of torque. It also comes standard with a 90 millimeter cold-air intake package and a high flow exhaust system with an X-pipe crossover, further improving the horsepower and throttle response. Adding to the Shelby GT’s off the line acceleration is a 3.55:1 rear axle ratio and a Hurst short throw shifter for models equipped with a manual transmission.
The Shelby Mustang GT also has the styling of the classic Shelby Mustangs of the past. These styling cues include a Shelby hood scoop, and silver race stripes on the hood and side panels. The suspension of the Shelby Mustang GT also received an upgrade over the baseline factory Mustang. A coil spring kit drops the overall height of the car by an inch-and-a-half, giving the GT an aggressive stance to go with its power upgrades. In addition, stiffer dampers, a front sway bar, and high-performance tires further improve the handling and corning of the GT.
A step up from the Shelby Mustang GT is the Shelby Mustang GT500. This is a modern remake of the classic GT500 of the 1960s. Many film fans will remember the Mustang named Eleanor from the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, which was a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500. The modern Shelby Mustang GT500 borrows much of its performance and styling from this classic muscle car.
The new GT500 features a supercharged 5.4 Liter V-8 which produces a massive 540 horsepower and 510 ft-lb of torque. The engine in the GT500 also features dual overhead cams, a rarity for a production street car. Like the baseline GT, the GT500 comes with a cold-air intake and high-flow exhaust system. The Mustang’s styling also adds to its performance—the front air inlets for the radiator and intercooler are sealed and routed, reducing air drag, and the raked spoiler in the rear increases high-speed stability.
With ever increasing concerns about fuel economy and efficiency, many experts in the auto industry have predicted the end of the muscle car for good. But both the Shelby Mustang GT and GT500 prove that the muscle car is still alive and rearing to fight back. This shows that the Ford Mustang will live on forever.

Honda Design Philosophy Stresses Function

Honda isn’t typically singled out for its design expertise. Instead, it is the fun-to-drive and rock-solid aspects of Honda vehicles that usually get top billing. But quietly, Honda has been capturing more and more international kudos for its leading-edge design work, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Nobuki Ebisawa, the corporate managing director and general manager of styling and design development, to talk about it.

Ebisawa stressed two simple and overarching themes for Honda design: dynamism and functionality. He said the company’s designers still draw inspiration from the functional designs of the first-generation Civic and first-generation Accord that were drawn in the same nondescript design studio in which Ebisawa and his crew work today. And at the same time, they look back all the way to the 1963 S500 sports car to channel the dynamism that helps set the brand apart.

Ebisawa is proud of what he calls “an unbroken chain of dynamism and functionality” that stretches from those earliest models through the legendary Acura NSX sports coupe of the ’90s to the Honda Odyssey minivan that transformed its segment. He expects that the upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z, which was shown in concept form at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, will draw on both aspects of the Honda personality. Functionality will be characterized by the fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain, and dynamism will be expressed by the car’s style and fun-to-drive nature.