Mustang Handling and Specs

Although American muscle cars are usually known for flat-out, straight-line speed, the history of the Mustang shows that a car made in Detroit can be successful on the technically challenging road courses in the United States and Europe. The original Shelby Mustangs were very nimble on twisting tracks. The modern GT500 is no different.

An independent MacPherson strut suspension with reverse-L lower control arms anchors the front end, while a three-link solid axle shores up the rear, aided by a track bar to prevent lateral motion. Both front and rear stabilizer bars help minimize body roll. Brembo brakes add to the handling performance, with 14-inch, four-piston discs in front and 11.8-inch, single-piston discs in the rear, linked to the car's ABS system. The 18-inch aluminum wheels hold P255/45ZR and P285/40ZR high-performance tires, and a power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering system rounds out the handling package.

Shelby Mustang GT500
Photo courtesy Ford Motor Company

Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 dimensions:

  • Wheelbase - 107.1 inches (272 cm)
  • Length - 187.6 inches (476.5 cm)
  • Width - 73.9 inches (187.7 cm)
  • Height - coupe 54.5 inches (138.4 cm) convertible 55.7 inches (141.5 cm)
  • Front track - 61.9 inches (157.2 cm)
  • Rear track - 62.5 inches (158.8 cm)

Full Specs

Engine

Shelby Mustang GT500 rear
Photo courtesy Ford Motor Company
Type: Supercharged V8
Configuration: Iron block and aluminum heads
Intake manifold: Cast-aluminum with screw-type supercharger and air-to-water intercooler
Exhaust manifold: Cast iron
Crankshaft: Forged steel
Throttle body: Dual 55 mm, electronic
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement: 330 cubic inches (5,409 cc)
Horsepower: 500 hp
Torque: 480 lb-ft
Transmission: T56 six-speed manual
Driven wheels: Rear-wheel drive

Suspension
Front: Reverse-L independent MacPherson strut, 34-mm tubular stabilizer bar
Rear: Three-link solid axle with coil springs, Panhard rod, 24-mm solid stabilizer bar

Brakes
Type: Four-wheel power disc
Front: Brembo 14-inch vented and cross-drilled disc, four-piston aluminum calipers
Rear: Brembo 11.8-inch vented and cross-drilled disc, single-piston calipers

Wheels
Type: 18x9.5-inch aluminum wheels
Tires: P255/45ZR-18 up front and P285/40ZR-18 on the rear

Size
Wheelbase: 107.1 inches (272.0 cm)
Length: 187.6 inches (476.5 cm)
Width: 73.9 inches (187.7 cm)
Height: coupe 54.5 inches (138.4 cm) convertible 55.7 inches (141.5 cm)
Track width, front/rear: 61.9 inches / 62.5 inches (157.2 cm / 158.8 cm)
Ground clearance: 5.71 inches (14.5 cm)
Cargo Volume: 9.7 cubic feet (27 L)

In the next section, we'll take a closer look at the design work that went into this Shelby Mustang GT500.