Well you knew it was coming and now it’s official, Ford has upped the rating on the Shelby GT500 to 500 base horsepower from the previous number of 475. The 500 hp rating was obtained using the Society of Automotive Engineer’s latest standard and was witnessed by an objective third party.

The Shelby GT500 goes into production in late June and should be available at dealerships sometime in July. If you were one of the lucky ones to get your name on a dealers list and plunk down your deposit you should get your car sometime this Summer.

Ford Press Release:
The most powerful factory-built Mustang ever just got even more potent. Final certification testing of the Shelby GT500’s 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 shows it will produce 500 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque – 25 more horsepower than preliminary estimates.

“With 500 hp and the Shelby name, this car is an instant legend,” said Hau Thai-Tang, director, Advanced Product Creation & SVT programs. “This is the most powerful, most capable Mustang ever.”
The Ford Shelby GT500’s supercharged 5.4-liter, 32-valve V-8 is a result of Ford’s experience in developing the modular V-8 and V-10 engine series. The engine is force-fed air via a “Roots-type” supercharger providing 9 pounds per square inch of boost. It borrows the four-valve cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings, from the Ford GT engine.

The Shelby GT500’s 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 will be built at Ford’s Romeo Engine Plant in Romeo, Mich. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

The right to purchase the first 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 was auctioned for $600,000, with the proceeds benefiting the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation. The 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 goes on sale this summer.

Technical Specifications

* Type - V-8
* Manufacturing location - Romeo, Michigan
* Configuration - Iron Block and Aluminum Heads
* Intake manifold - Cast-aluminum with Roots-type supercharger and air-to-water intercooler
* Exhaust manifold - Cast iron
* Crankshaft - Forged steel
* Throttle Body - Dual 60 mm, electronic
* Valvetrain - DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
* Valve diameter - Intake: 37.0 mm; Exhaust: 32.0 mm
* Pistons - Forged aluminum
* Connecting Rods - Cracked forged steel I-beams
* Ignition - Coil-on-plug
* Bore x stroke - 3.552 x 4.165 in. / 90.2 x 105.8 mm
* Displacement - 330 cu. in. / 5,409 cc
* Horsepower - 500 hp @ 6,000 rpm (SAE Certified)
* Torque - 480 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm (SAE Certified)
* Compression ratio - 8.4:1
* Redline - 6,250 rpm
* Idle Speed in Neutral - 750 rpm
* Engine control system - Spanish Oak PCM
* Required fuel - Premium
* Fuel Injection - Electronic returnless sequential
* Oil capacity / type - 6.5 quarts / Motorcraft 5W-50 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
* Coolant capacity - 21 quarts
* Peak Boost - 9 psi