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2016 Shelby G.T.350 Unveiled Today

Discussion in '2nd Generation Shelby Mustangs' started by rshelby, Nov 17, 2014.

  1. rshelby

    rshelby ShelbyForums Admin Staff Member

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    Well, after weeks of teaser videos, the 2016 Shelby GT350 is set to be unveiled today in Los Angeles, or Gardena, CA to be more precise. The event will be held at Carroll's building in Gardena, CA, where he has housed various operations for decades and has been the home to the two recent Shelby car shows, each May since his death in 2012. For today's event, the building which houses many of the cars from Carroll's collection, has been transformed to celebrate the unveiling of the new 2016 Shelby G.T. 350. The car is built completely by Ford and has been in the works for several years. While Carroll clearly cannot be there in person, he surely will be there in spirit. Prior to his death, Carroll was working with Ford to ensure this day would come. He would be proud of the end result. :thumbup:

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    Last edited: Nov 17, 2014
  2. rshelby

    rshelby ShelbyForums Admin Staff Member

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  3. rshelby

    rshelby ShelbyForums Admin Staff Member

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    Read the article in the Detroit Free Press about the 2016 Shelby GT350.


    After weeks of teaser videos Ford today confirms plans for an all-new 2016 Shelby GT350 Mustang.

    The news is under the hood: 500 horsepower from Ford's first production flat-plane crankshaft 5.2-liter V8 — an engine usually associated with a European sports cars or race cars.

    No turbocharged EcoBoost engine here. Early in development it was decided a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 engine would be better for the track, hence the development of Ford's most powerful naturally aspirated production engine to date with torque that peaks at 400 pound-feet.

    "Make no mistake, this is an American interpretation of a flat-plane crankshaft V8, and the 5.2-liter produces a distinctive, throaty howl from its four exhaust tips," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer of Ford Global Performance Vehicles.

    Ford has not announced when it will go on sale or pricing.

    Mustang aficionados know that the original Shelby GT350 was introduced in 1965, giving the pony car street cred. This street-legal track car continues in the spirit of Carroll Shelby, a man whose name became synonymous with Mustang for his history of transforming an everyday car into a road racer. It helps fill the gap left by the popular Boss 302.

    Shelby's death in 2012 meant he did not live long enough to see the launch of the sixth-generation 2015 Mustang that finally switches to an independent rear suspension. Or the latest GT350 that Ford's performance team engineered in his name.

    The GT350 "takes true advantage of the new chassis dynamics of the Mustang platform," said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Global Performance Vehicles.

    The car has a six-speed manual and a choice of five different driving modes.

    "When we started working on this car, we wanted to build the best possible Mustang for the places we most love to drive – challenging back roads with a variety of corners and elevation changes – and the track on weekends," said Raj Nair, Ford's head of Global Product Development

    "Every change we made to this car was driven by the functional requirements of a powerful, responsive powerplant – nimble, precise handling and massive stopping power," said Nair who has a history of racing.

    The 2015 Mustang is already 28% stiffer than the previous model and the GT350 is even stiffer and ride height was lowered about two inches.

    The GT350 has some advanced materials and technologies including Ford's first use of MagneRide dampers, a system long used by General Motors for continuous adjustment of the suspension for optimal handling.

    To harness all its power, the car has Brembo brakes and the car has stiff 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires with customized sidewalls, tread face and compound for maximum grip on the road or at the track.

    The car is also more aerodynamic.

    "Everything we changed on GT350 is purely functional-driven design, with the goal of improving the overall performance of the car," said Chris Svensson, Ford design director, The Americas. "We optimized the aero shape of the car, and then fine-tuned what was left to increase downforce and cooling airflow."

    The bodywork from the windshield forward is unique, including a new aluminum hood that was lowered and sloped. The aluminum front fenders accommodate the wider front track and wider wheel arches.

    The interior was designed around the driver with specially designed Recaro sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel and upgraded gauges to monitor performance. Ford even took out a lot of the chrome trim that might otherwise distract the driver.

    "We took the best Ford Mustang yet and massaged every aspect of the car that affects the performance driving experience," said Hameedi. "We tested endlessly on the most challenging roads and tracks in the world, and we believe serious drivers will love the Shelby GT350 Mustang."
     
  4. rshelby

    rshelby ShelbyForums Admin Staff Member

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    Here's a pic from the scene.

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  5. rshelby

    rshelby ShelbyForums Admin Staff Member

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    Here's a few more photos...

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