First GT500 production body spotted

[dollybud]

Looks like - compared to the GT - the front black grille insert has been removed, and there's gonna be a much taller air inlet on both sides. Tarps do a good job of hiding the structure of these prototypes, but this looks pretty well-sculpted.

The hood has a lot of padding. I'm willing to speculate that, similar to if not moreso than the S550 GT500, it'll have a very aggressive appearance. Because it's evidently covering the entire hood, I can imagine a setup like that of the Hellcats with a well-integrated scoop in the center with vents to each side to release heat and provide aero.

The fenders look really interesting to me, and make me think we'll see something similar to the GTD. Notice how the padding suddenly disappears as you get to the back third of the wheel arch. You can tell there's nothing there anymore because the tarps go from being smooth bulges to having folds and ripples. There's something going on there IMO.

The rear isn't very note-worthy, which makes me want to assume that in itself is telling. I have a hunch that Ford's suppliers are probably behind in getting production-intent decklids - what we see here is identical to the GT Performance Package, and I don't think Ford would be lazy with that if they're trying to make a "world-class" car.

Despite the lack of changes, the rear is camouflaged. If you remember, in the beginning of May when the mules were first sighted, there was a roll cage. Earlier mule sightings that were based on the S550 GT500 had a fully camouflaged rear windshield. It might be a stretch, but I'm willing to bet that we're getting the GTD's transaxle - I could be wrong, and I hope I am, because I can see that being a justification from Ford for not having a manual.

If this is 100% production intent and not just a late-stage verification prototype, I would assume this is not the GT500 and instead probably the rumored Boss, given that the rear of the car isn't changed too much. I was expecting something more aggressive for the GT500, but again, purely speculation here.

At any rate, the way things are progressing, I'd expect to see the tarps dropped, the car fully wrapped in B/W polka dots, and a significant increase in sightings by the end of the month. We are entering the summer months, which means Ford cannot use the weather as justification to not test anymore, and the GTD is being produced in double digit numbers now which means the development capacity for that program has tapered way off. Whatever's next is going to be for the lower tax brackets - us.

That said, I'm just outwardly speculating - I could be completely off the mark, but if I'm right, it would be a total coincidence. I will note though - this is only the second S650 prototype FA has reported on in quite some time I did not see driving around myself beforehand.

Any idea what ballpark money cost US?

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[Sirjinx]

105k MSRP

Dealer Markup 130K

 

[Germansheperd]

Any idea what ballpark money cost US?

120k-ish then add 25-50k ADM

 

[Bikeman315]

Any idea what ballpark money cost US?

We do not even know what this car is yet so the numbers you are going to get are totally theoretical. But its fun to hear that a new Mustang could cost $100K+.

 

[Germansheperd]

Factor in tariffs and general price hikes.

 

[young at heart]

120k-ish then add 25-50k ADM

Yep, I’d bet this right here is pretty close. Think about it: I have no clue what they’re going for today but just a few months ago delivery mile 2022 GT500s weren’t uncommon to see in the 140-145K range.

Anyone wanting an expensive piece of garage art that cannot be driven without losing their behind is welcome to buy one. I couldn’t care any less what they do or don’t call it, it’s still just a 750 hp supercharged Mustang that most folks can’t afford to put miles on. I really don’t understand all the excitement.

I’m thinking I’ll just sit tight on my HP Dark Horses for a while. They‘re pretty much all anybody can turn loose on the street around here and I’m not worried about driving them any time I want to without worrying about resale. Not to mention they’re half the ultimate price of whatever this new thing that you can’t afford to drive is gonna cost.

Somebody wake me up when my local dealer has 2-3 of these whatevers in stock in the 90-95ish range. Then we’ll see.

 

[DeluxeStang]

Well since there cannot be a Shelby GT500 I agree this could be the new Boss. I’m surprised that FA is still referring this car as a Shelby. They surely know it can’t be.

I didn't know this, but while Ford doesn't own the gt 350 and gt 500 names and has to pay a licensing fee to Shelby to use them, they do own the cobra name outright which surprised me.

Bringing back the cobra name certainly has some appeal. Cooler than calling it the gt 500 imo.

 

[DeluxeStang]

So I know Stangmode isn't the most credible source, he's kinda 50/50. But he does genuinely know people within Ford working on mustang and mustang variants. Like the designer who did the previous gt 500 and the s650, as well as Jim Owens and I would assume some other people.

Take this with a grain of salt, but he was told it'll pair the 5.2 with an AWD hybrid setup with a total output of around 900 hp. On a side note, he also said the plan internally is to keep the mustang around forever even with the current sales figures being lackluster. Not related to this particular mustang, but I thought that was a cool bit of info.


We know the 5.2 exists, we know Ford has been planning some AWD mustang hybrids for years now, so a 5.2 hybrid isn't a massive stretch. Not to mention if this thing is making 900-1,000 hp in a front engine coupe, AWD is basically a requirement to get the most out of that level of power, I mean, look at the zr1, even with a mid engine setup, it's a wheelspin monster that struggles to put it's power down at low speeds, so a front engine car would be a major handful.

Not only would a AWD hybrid setup be a monster, it could serve as an R and D testbed for other future mustangs where an AWD setup makes a lot of sense, like that mustang raptor we keep.

 

[Q6543]

People are daydreaming
Much how the S650/ gen4 was just a tweaked refresh of the S550/ gen3

the new xxx/ xxx will be a tweaked refresh of the 2020 Shelby GT500/ predator DCT

I’m sure this was being designed right behind the GT/DH…. During the COVID era at a time when the company decided to shift into EV production and not invest in ICE powertrain.

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