The Next Shelby GT500 could be AWD
We’ve been seeing rumors for a while that the next GT500 would feature an EcoBoost V6. While we’ve largely discounted those rumors since we’ve seen no evidence, this new parts revelation seems to reinforce such a notion.
The only time in our experience we’ve seen a splined hub on the front end of a rear wheel drive vehicle has been when a manufacturer offers a four wheel drive or all wheel drive option, but only wants to use a single part for both applications. In those instances doing so reduces manufacturing and supply complexities. But why would you do that on a Mustang, unless you have a reason.
Further, we can see no additional performance advantage going to a bolt-on hub of this type would offer over the spindle mounted style hub and bearing that has been used on the Mustang since 1994, and is still in use on the V6, EcoBoost and GT in the S550 chassis.
Since the 2013-’14 GT500 made 662 horsepower at the crank, and with the Dodge Challenger Hellcat rated at 707 horsepower, the new GT500 must have at least 700 horsepower, with the capability of much more. The new EcoBoost 3.5 slated for the GT and Raptor is definitely capable of making that number, and it is much lighter than an equally-appointed V8 engine. The lighter weight of an EcoBoost V6 could also offset the added weight of an AWD system.
Could Ford be going after the Nissan GT-R? Will the next Shelby GT500 be an EcoBoost 3.5L AWD machine? Well, we don’t know for sure, but if splines could talk, they’d say we might be onto something. Either that, or Ford is messing with us.
Only time will tell.
going GTR hunting with the next GT500? I doubt it but one does have to wonder why splined front hubs are on the front of the GT350.
Someone else with a 15 or newer mustang have splinder hubs on the front of them? Someone check?
We’ve been seeing rumors for a while that the next GT500 would feature an EcoBoost V6. While we’ve largely discounted those rumors since we’ve seen no evidence, this new parts revelation seems to reinforce such a notion.
The only time in our experience we’ve seen a splined hub on the front end of a rear wheel drive vehicle has been when a manufacturer offers a four wheel drive or all wheel drive option, but only wants to use a single part for both applications. In those instances doing so reduces manufacturing and supply complexities. But why would you do that on a Mustang, unless you have a reason.
Further, we can see no additional performance advantage going to a bolt-on hub of this type would offer over the spindle mounted style hub and bearing that has been used on the Mustang since 1994, and is still in use on the V6, EcoBoost and GT in the S550 chassis.
Since the 2013-’14 GT500 made 662 horsepower at the crank, and with the Dodge Challenger Hellcat rated at 707 horsepower, the new GT500 must have at least 700 horsepower, with the capability of much more. The new EcoBoost 3.5 slated for the GT and Raptor is definitely capable of making that number, and it is much lighter than an equally-appointed V8 engine. The lighter weight of an EcoBoost V6 could also offset the added weight of an AWD system.
Could Ford be going after the Nissan GT-R? Will the next Shelby GT500 be an EcoBoost 3.5L AWD machine? Well, we don’t know for sure, but if splines could talk, they’d say we might be onto something. Either that, or Ford is messing with us.
Only time will tell.
going GTR hunting with the next GT500? I doubt it but one does have to wonder why splined front hubs are on the front of the GT350.
Someone else with a 15 or newer mustang have splinder hubs on the front of them? Someone check?