Only a few short years ago a car was considered “fast” with a horsepower rating that would seem downright sheepish today, which is why more and more cars are getting launch control.

The latest to the party is the 2013 Shelby GT500 its 662-hp V8 — maybe more oophm than the average $50,000 cur buyer knows what to do with. After all, that’s pretty much the same price point as a top-end BMW 3 Series.

Granted, the 300-hp Bimmer is more about bells and whistles whereas the Mustang is about burning tires, but for 2013, Ford is letting drivers tone the raging roar down a bit for better acceleration. That might leave a few Mustang fans scratching their heads, but it’s pretty simple.

Launch control can be accessed through the new Track Apps system or via a button to the left of the steering wheel. Drivers can set their desired speed in 100-rpm increments from 3,000 to 4,500.

From there, all that’s left is to depress the clutch pedal and step on the gas. Release the clutch and almost instantly, the car rockets off at your desired rev rate.

Essentially, it takes most of the practice and skill out of a good drag launch by letting the computer think for your feet. Blasphemous as that might sound to someone who actually uses a clutch pedal regularly, it’s just one of many ways cars are successfully dumbing down what you need to know in order to drive.

Still, with such crazy power figures threatening to take the car’s live rear axel for a joyride, having something to calm the beast might not be such a bad thing.

Burnouts are an awesome, and expensive way to waste tires. Of course, the competitors in burnout contests know this, but none would expect what happens in this video.

At the 4th annual NMRA/NMCA All Star Nationals in Commerce, Ga., last month, one competitor was performing an admirable burnout, until his tire caught fire. Luckily the flames were isolated to the tire and it didn’t look like they spread and damaged the rest of the Mustang.

So there you go, where there’s smoke, even if its from tires, there’s fire.

Check out the full video below.

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Source: Mustangs Daily

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was designed for the drag strip, and is taking a spot in the 11 second club after posting a quarter mile time of 11.93 seconds.

The ZL1 was put through a testing process of 1,000 drag strip style launches by Chevy engineers to make sure that its components were ready for all the abuse the car would take under those conditions. The 11 second run was completed by a fully stock Camaro ZL1 from the factory, which is capable of a top speed of 184 mph and a 0-60 time of four seconds. 30 percent of the components were modified compared to an SS model, most of which were designed by Chevy engineers specifically for drag racing.

“We know many of customers will take their ZL1 to the drag strip,” said Gordon Rojewski, driveline development engineer.

A standard rear differential cooler, tweaked suspension to accommodate taller tire sidewalls and a unique performance traction management system designed to minimize tire slip are among the changes that were done to the ZL1, all for the benefit of the cars drag strip time.

While the ZL1 isn’t quite at the standard of the COPO Camaro, it is street legal, and ready to run an 11-second quarter mile straight from the factory.

Watch the video below of the Camaro Zl1.

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With the verified numbers in, it seems the 2013 Shelby GT500 was actually underrated at 650 hp. Instead it makes an impressive 662 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque.

As per usual with muscle cars, the GT500 offers loads of power for the price — in fact it’s significantly more powerful than the Corvette ZR1 which has 638 hp. While it can claim more horsepower, those numbers won’t actually be enough for the GT500 to approach competing with the ZR1, which handles much better and is significantly lighter.

Data for Ford‘s latest halo car on the 0-60 mph sprint is still unavailable, but its sure to be in the three second range.

Jamal Hameedi, Ford’s SVT team chief engineer and Jim Owens, Vice President of marketing for Shelby revealed the data during an interview with Team Shelby Forums.

Another item that surfaced during the Q&A was that the production version will run without a grille to accomodate the massive airflow required to cool its 5.8-liter V8.

[Source: Team Shelby Forums]

Shelby has been synonymous with the Mustang nameplate since its 2007 re-establishment as Ford‘s halo car producer, but that might be changing soon.

It seems the low-volume performance tuner currently best known for the Shelby GT500 is exploring the possibility of tuning other Ford vehicles to maximize performance., according to AutoBlog.

We already know that a contract to continue producing the GT500 through 2020 is in place, but an interview with Shelby president John Luft hints at more than one product in the future.

Apparently, there’s a chance we could see a Shelby version of the Focus and Fusion.

“Our plans include everything from the Mustang to looking at future development of the EcoBoost motor,” he said. “There could be a Focus or Fusion development in our future.”

GALLERY: 2013 Shelby GT500

[Source: AutoBlog]

One of the few cars across the world that guys want to drive and girls want to ride in, the Ford Mustang, will finally get its just distribution as the automaker moves to sell it globally.

When the ball drops in Times Square and calendars turn over to 2015 there will be a shot (or exhaust note as it were) heard round the world. Ford’s move comes in commemoration of the iconic pony car’s 50th anniversary. Yes, we’re having a hard time believing it’s been that long too.

Part of the problem with selling the Mustang in a global market is adjusting it to allow for both right- and left-hand drive configurations. That issue managed, for the most part, to keep the car out of markets like Australia, the U.K. and Japan.

Ford is tackling that problem and boosting Mustang production, but it begs a question: will this change the ‘Stang we get here in the U.S., and how?

The trouble is, safety standards aren’t the same in other countries, which means Ford will have to modify more than the seat sitting behind the driver’s wheel. For example, European safety standards include pedestrian impact protection.

It’s easy to wonder if the next generation Mustang, which we reported previously will include a Shelby GT500, will be packing on any extra weight thanks to new standards. Hopefully not, but unifying production as much as possible could be an easy cost saver for Ford as it moves more into global distribution.

Mustangs fording the big pond (pun intended) also brings another old story to life: the possibility for a turbocharged four-cylinder invading an otherwise V6-minimum zone.

It’s true that the company offered a four cylinder Mustang in the past, and to be fair it was generally well regarded, but the bulky body and chassis we know today is far from the sardine can shell that hosted the first-gen fox bodies.

Another rumored change that could have the pony car’s purists fuming is an independent rear suspension. While adding that component to the drivetrain might make it more palatable to worldwide sports car buyers, it falls from an otherwise unchanged live rear axle history.

Official information about the 2015 Mustang is sparse, but we’ll be reporting it as soon as more breaks.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Who ever came up with this idea is a genius. Get a whole slew of classic hot rods and cool rides, gather them all together in one place, then get Metallica to play for all the gathered car enthusiasts. It sounds like every metal and motor head’s dream.

This combination will come to fruition in real life at the first annual Orion music and more festival taking place on June 23 and 24 at Bader Field in Atlantic City.

The only prerequisite for all vehicles on display is that they be American models built before 1972. Also, that they be customs, hot rods, muscle cars, or custom motorcycles. In other words, if your ride isn’t cool, don’t come. Anyone whose vehicle is approved for display will be offered two free tickets to the Metallica show.

It turns out the Metallica front man James Hetfield is a car lover and hot rod enthusiast. His own personal tricked out 1936 Auburn Roadster “Slow Burn Kustom” (shown above) will be on display at the event.

Watch the video below to see James discussing his love for the cars, and how the festival came together.

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Oil barons chuckle and while most of us cringe at gas making the $4 gallon mark. Studies and announcements are abound that climbing fuel prices are herding people like sheep into buying compact cars. So where do gas-suckers like the Shelby GT500 fit in?

Right where they did every other year, at least according to Shelby American president John Luft who confirmed in an interview with Mustangs Daily that the Snake-bearing ‘Stang will remain in the coming Mustang generation.

With 650 horsepower, the GT500 has enough venom to kill an elephant, or make your passenger’s toes curl as you lunge forward. Either way, it seems Ford extended the Shelby contract into 2015, meaning we can expect to see further iterations of the mind-bending muscle car and its 5.8-liter supercharged V8.

“When something works you just don’t change it,” he said. “Clearly, having a Shelby in their stable as their halo car has really worked for them. Ford Motor Company loves it, their dealers love it, and we love it. It gives us a great platform. So we need Ford Motor Company to develop great base cars,” Luft said.

Base cars like the Mustang GT work well as a volume-seller because Ford has the resources to produce several thousand every year, but Luft went on to explain that such volume isn’t part of the Shelby plan. Instead, it hopes to focus on limited production vehicles that boost both companies images.

[Source: Mustangs Daily]

GALLERY: 2013 Shelby GT500

Fans of the raging Roush-modified Ford vehicles will be pleased to know the performance tuner has another fire-breather on the way soon — the 2013 Roush Stage 3 Mustang.

When it goes on sale this month, the package won’t beat the legendary Shelby GT500, but it will boosts performance to 565 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque — well beyond the Boss 302.

Stacking the Mustang up to that level is no easy task. Roush achieves the venerable feat by installing a supercharger capable of high speeds to deliver significantly increased power.

Aside from the supercharger, Mustangs undergoing the transformation will get the full Roush treatment which means a new suspension, radiator and intercooler, cold air intake and everything else you would expect to let a massively supercharged engine breath accordingly.

Of course, driving a Roush Mustang is about more than having a lot under the hood. Significant styling alterations also take place to complete the experience. Body kit components, a hood scoop, Roush decals and standard 18-inch wheels are among the many goodies that set the restyled car apart.

If you want to pay more than the starting $16,000 price tag, other parts like upgraded brakes, 20-inch wheels and hood struts among many others are available.

You’ll have to pay for shipping to get the parts and probably labor to have them installed unless you’re well versed in heavy performance modification. Even with those added costs, the Roush Stage 3 Mustang should slip nicely between the Boss 302 and GT500′s respective $42,200 and $59,200 price tags, which is fitting for the upgrades it offers.

After Chevrolet temporarily halted production of the Camaro ZL1 at the Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant due to a potential software problem, we reported recently that it had been green lit once again.

However, given that the three-week hiatus caused a hiccup in the original production schedule of the car, General Motors has now released some information regarding how many ZL1 coupes will be built and when they’ll be made available.

As it stands some 1,100 orders out of the original 2012 allocation (less than 3000 units)  are currently outstanding. That said, given the time required for changeover to new model year production, GM has said it will only build a further 500 as 2012 models.  The remaining 600 cars will be serialed as 2013 models, manufacture of which isn’t scheduled to begin until sometime after April.

Besides the change in schedule, the production hiatus has also resulted in a slight shuffle of trim and equipment packages. As a result, early and late-build 2012 models will differ in some of their features and options. Examples include a ZL1 stripe package which, when combined with the optional sunroof, will omit the roof mounted lines on late-build cars. In addition, ordering the extra cost $600 carbon fiber hood inserts will actually  result in a $600 credit option on late-build cars.

As to whether the 2013 coupes will be virtually identical, no word yet, though for muscle car enthusiasts and collectors, these production changes for ’12  are likely to only further enhance desirability of what is arguably Chevy’s baddest pony car ever.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Dodge revealed full details this past weekend on it’s new 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline, including the $28,745 price tag.

The new package is a tuned Challenger SXT Plus, which comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, making 305 horsepower. Normally an SXT would start at $24,995 but the extra $3,750 offers a list of go-fast parts that aim to offer a more engaging driving experience.

Performance upgrades run through the chassis and drivetrain starting with a cold air intake that improves airflow to the engine. New front and rear sway bars stiffen the chassis and make the car more corner-capable. Further augmenting the cornering, the Rallye Redline edition gets 42 percent firmer monotube shocks in the front and 22 percent in the rear.

Dodge also replaced the 2.65:1 rear axle ratio with a more lively 3.06:1 unit which means acceleration will feel stronger despite having the same engine as the SXT.

Stopping power also improves with larger two-piston calipers at the front and larger vented disc brakes all around.

Playing off the package name, the car gets a centre racing stripe with two smaller lines all running parallell over the car’s length. 20-inch aluminum alloys wrapped in Firestone Firehawk all-season performance tires, which replace the standard 18-inch wheels, also have a thick red line accenting the outer edge.

As a modified version of the SXT Plus, the Rallye Redline comes with the same list of standard features as the unit it’s based on. Those include leather seating — heated in the front, bluetooth cellphone connectivity, electronic stability control and more.

GALLERY: 2012 Challenger Rallye Redline

Fans of the commercial shared their thoughts on KFC’s Facebook page, “The Pot Pies are delicious, but my nod goes to the Dodge Charger!” Another shared the same sentiment, “Man, that’s one sexy 1970 Charger!”

After the outpour of appreciation, KFC announced a special photo contest where the very Charger will be the grand prize awarded to the winner. Chief Marketing Officer Jason Marker explained, “There are lots of ‘classics’ in our current commercial, from the Chunky Chicken Pot Pie and the Dodge Charger to the dudes’ sunglasses and sideburns. Now, one lucky fan is going to own the very car that has been creating all this online buzz. And no matter what the decade, anyone would look cool pulling up to the KFC drive-thru in that classic ride.”

Here is how the contest works: visit KFC’s Facebook page and upload a fun and classic “old school” themed photo. The submitted picture could either be a real photo taken in the 70′s or it could be one that was inspired by the decade. Once uploaded, the picture will automatically post on the user’s Facebook page and will be forwarded to KFC as well. Pictures will be graded on creativity, originality, and consistency with the KFC brand image.

The contest, aptly named “Bring Back a Classic,” will run through April 1, 2012. The winner of the photo contest will be announced after April 15, 2012.

Check out KFC’s Bring Back a Classic Advertisement Below: