Shelby GT350, if a Mustang is not enough

Ford unveils the new version for the time being intended only for the market in the motherland

Shelby GT350

Down the veil to the new Mustang Shelby GT350, one of the "muscle car" the most legendary in the history of the car. The new version is equipped with the most powerful naturally aspirated engine Ford production and is based on the platform and on the progress made during the development of the 6th generation of the Mustang.
To develop the new GT350, Ford engineers have devoted great attention to detail, using innovative materials and implemented new technologies. "When we started this new design had, we thought of winding roads and weekends on the track," said Raj Nair, vice president of Global Product Development, Ford. "Any changes that we have implemented on board of this model has been developed to ensure easy handling in all conditions with an extraordinarily powerful and responsive engine, further increasing the efficiency of the brakes."
Already in development, Ford engineers have identified a naturally aspirated V8 engine, designed to run at high speeds, the motor for a Mustang dedicated to the runway. "The result is a completely new engine that was developed specifically for the GT350, which makes use of the advanced features of the chassis of the new Mustang," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Global Performance Vehicles, Ford.

The new engine 5.2-liter V8 is the first Ford to use a crankshaft design 'flat plane', a design normally adopted only by car intended for racing and supersport Europe. Unlike a traditional V8, in which the connecting rods are keyed on the shaft with an angle of 90 degrees, the cranks of the crankshaft are opposite to each other and out of phase by 180 degrees.

The design 180 degree change the firing order of the cylinders, alternating between the cylinder banks reducing the overlap of the pressures of the gases. The system, joined to the head and specially designed valves, allows better breathing of the cylinders and higher rotation speeds of the V8.

The result is the most powerful production Ford engine ever, with more than 500 horsepower and 540 Nm of torque, delivered with an unusually flat curve. Performance is further enhanced by the lightweight manual transmission and Torsen limited-slip differential, which improves the grip between the curbs and acceleration.
"This interpretation of the American V8 flat-plane, the cubic capacity of 5.2 liters and 4 separate exhausts produce a sound which will be hard not to fall in love," he added Hameedi.

The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 will initially be available only in North America, where it will add to the range of the new Mustang. Ford will in future be possible to bring in more global markets. In Europe, the new Mustang will for the first time after 50 years in the versions' fastback 'e'convertible', with the EcoBoost 2.3 from 314 horsepower and a 5.0 V8 from 418 horsepower.