Performance Review: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Ford Mustang has a 5812cc Supercharged Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1747 kgs (3851 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 in the same weight category as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp)

In terms of power the 5812cc 32V V8 engine produces 662 bhp (493 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (651 bhp) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (670 bhp).

The Supercharged V8 throws out 631 lb-ft (855.5 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 lb-ft) or the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (625 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series 6.2 V8 (401.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 378.9 bhp per ton and 361.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Mustang competing with the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series 6.2 V8 (401.2 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Noble M400 3.0 V6 (400.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 361.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 BAC Mono 280bhp (383.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Ferrari Roma 3.9 V8 Turbo (381.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.8 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 as fast as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 992 (3.70 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs). This Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is also faster than the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the and the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.26 secs @ 121.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8 (11.21 secs), the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Package F83 (11.22 secs), and the 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV RS (11.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has a maximum speed of 202mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Mustang equals the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 then how about the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph), the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph), or the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison