Listen to the Shelby GT350's Engine Roar
If you thought the photos of Ford’s new Shelby GT350 Mustang were enticing, wait until you hear it roar.
The newest Ford model to wear the Shelby badge will be showcased tomorrow at the L.A. Auto Show sporting a 5.2-liter engine with over 500 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. But what makes the Shelby GT350 truly unique is its flat-plane crankshaft that allows it to rev more freely than a cross-plane crankshaft V8 can. The result? Well, not only is there plenty of power, but this is one American muscle car that truly sounds like none other.
SEE ALSO: Ford Brings Back the GT350 With Record Setting Performance
Flat-plane crankshafts are typically found in race cars and exotic European sports cars. In a flat-plane crankshaft application, the connecting rods are bolted to the crankshaft at 180-degree intervals rather than 90-degree intervals that removes the need for counterweights to the crankshaft. As a result, the Shelby GT350’s engine can rev more freely and produces a very distinctive sound.
GALLERY: Shelby GT350 Mustang
[Source: Mustang6G]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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