SVT Celebrates 20th with 200-mph Shelby GT500 Convertible
It’s been 20 years since Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) launched its first road rockets at the 1992 Chicago Auto Show, and the Blue Oval marked this platinum anniversary by introducing some seriously precious metal at this year’s event: The 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 convertible took the stage in Chicago showcasing the world’s most powerful production V8—and lap times at Sebring Raceway that are almost 3.5 seconds faster than SVT’s 2011 and 2012 models.
“The Shelby GT500 convertible is every bit the performer that the coupe is,” said Kerry Baldori, SVT Global Performance Vehicles chief engineer. “All of the significant changes we made in the program were instrumental in delivering a convertible that could really shine on the track but can still be driven on a daily basis.”
Key among those changes, of course, is the Shelby’s 5.8-liter V8, which can unleash 650 hp and 600 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to a new supercharger, a new cross-drilled block and heads, and a new carbon-fiber driveshaft, along with big-time upgrades to its camshaft profiles, clutch, and transmission. Also helping matters: Brembo stoppers, an available Performance Package that includes unique SVT-designed electronic adjustable dampers sourced from Bilstein, and an optional Track Package that adds an external engine cooler, rear differential cooler and transmission cooler.
It’s all wrapped up in the aggressive yet aerodynamic bodywork first shown on the coupe, and to put owners in a celebratory mood, all 2013 Shelby GT500s will wear commemorative, lighted sill plates in honor of SVT’s 20th anniversary.
“In the past 20 years, SVT has engineered world-class mid-engine supercars, front-wheel-drive performance cars, rear-wheel-drive muscle cars and high-performance on-road and off-road pickup trucks,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief engineer. “There is no other performance house in the world that can match that diverse résumé.”