2020 GT500 Versus ZL1 Versus C8 Versus Hellcat
 

We will see the 2020 GT500 soon! Exciting to see Ford get back in the game. And with Ford and Chevy dropping so many cars, it is a good omen for the sporty V8 (+hybrid :)) coupes (and possible 4 doors?) we love. Will it have the PDK and the 6 speed? The PDK if it has auto mode may be the very best auto/manual compromise. Even in the A10 ZL1 it is not much fun using the paddles. Even so the A10 convinced me to give up on manuals for now.

I am wondering where the new GT500 will fit in. Over 700 HP but 4,225 pounds? My loaded A10 ZL1 with a sun roof is 3,915 pounds with over 1/4 tank of gas and some crap in the car.

I am thinking the 2020 GT500 has to be a little faster than the Hellcats. But behind the Demon. But only if Ford avoids the built in bog Chevy handicaps the ZL1 with.

With the latest Mustang GT PP2 and the GT 350 we know Ford can make it handle. But will the GT500 stay with the ZL1 on a race track? I do think the ZL1 1LE will remain the ponycar track king.

https://st.hotrod.com/uploads/sites/...strip-Test.jpg

Ford had a few years to R&D the car. I'm sure they had both versions of the ZL1 in their stable too. I'm sure it will out perform the ZL1 when released.

For sure in the 1/4. But 4,225 pounds is a lot to throw around on a race track. 300 more than the ZL1.

I have long guessed that the GT500 will be one of the following. IF there is only one variant than it will be faster than the ZL1 in all aspects, but not quite as good on the track as the ZLE.

If there is say a "base" and R than the R better be faster than the ZLE or it will be a bad look for Ford given how much time they have had to build the damn thing. Also the price must be within reason.

If there is 1 version, I say it splits the ZL1 and ZLE price. If there is two, then I expect the GT500 variants to be right there in line with ZL1 and ZLE price. Speaking MSRP of course

I met someone at Atco a few weeks ago who said he worked for a Ford dealer as a mechanic and he said his place was taking deposits for the GT 500. But the only thing buyers are told is it will have more than 700 HP and you might not get much change from $100K. Maybe that is a GT500/R version or it was just a bunch of BS. I agree with you a base GT500 should be in the ZL1/Hellcat neighborhood. Still that 4,200+ weight bothers me. Weren't the last ones around 3,900 pounds?

I can see the GT500 coming in around 4050 if Ford made no attempt at lightening the car up and simply took a GT350 and beefed it up and added a blower, but 4225 seems absurd. Thats 435lbs heavier than a GT350.

Unless it completely stomps the ZL1 I doubt it'll generate any excitement here. I'm already bored with it and it ain't even out yet. Too much time has passed and there's been too much speculation about it that once it gets here it'll just be an expensive and fast car.

Ive had a couple GT500s in the pasted and was excited at the beginng, but I'm with you. They screwed around too much. Im over it, and it isnt even here yet. I feel the same about the Bronco we've been hearing about for at least the last five years.

A $100K Mustang and you still haven't added dealer markup will be a hard sell.

I agree.

It seems to me that Ford is heavily invested in MRC and while it is a great dual purpose suspension for both street and track, the ZL1 1LE DSSV suspension is all track oriented.

I consider the DSSV shocks on par with high-end coilovers that you see on track special cars. I don't see Ford going that hardcore track with the GT500, I think they still want to maintain dual purpose with it, as to where GM said F it, we want a TRACK car, ie ZL1 1LE

Agree ^ I think (and hope) Ford knows that. I don't care how fast it is, how good it performs. It's still a Mustang and I don't see a market for a 6 figure mustang. I go back to the 350R, they were able to undercut the Z/28 in price by 12K. I think Ford Knows where this car has to MSRP.

Again I say MSRP doesn't matter if you can't get one for that price. Whether Ford sets MSRP at $100K or at $70K and every dealership marks it up to $100K, it still costs $100K. We'll see but I'm not looking to buy one until I know all the details.

It’s hard to say without knowing more...

For sure expect 720bhp+ and the car to weight at least about 4k lbs, but likely more (GT500 has never been a light-weight and typically sports more tech and amenities than the lower Mustangs).

Big question is only RWD? Power-assist?

When it comes down to it, I think the GT350 will still be the track car. Sort-of like the SS 1LE vs ZL1 1LE: The ZL1 is faster on track, but takes more skill to get it there, otherwise the SS is basically right there.

Yea, the guy said $100k. But you are right, that must be with ADM.