Upcoming GT350 Expected to Appeal to a New Breed of Mustang Buyer

LOS ANGELES – Ford is counting on its upcoming, technology-laden Shelby GT350 Mustang to draw a new type of buyer: one that wants European-type supercar dynamics in a sports coupe with a more-American swagger.

Unveiled to the media at a largely unused Shelby manufacturing facility here eyed as a future home for a Shelby automotive museum, the ’16-model GT350 is expected to hit the U.S. market in second-half 2015. The car also will be exported to the Middle East.

The new model, the latest-generation of the GT350 line that dates back to 1965, comes equipped with a new 5.2L V-8 that Ford promises will be its most powerful naturally aspirated engine in history.

The engine, loosely based on Ford’s existing 5.0L and to be built alongside that V-8 at the automaker’s Essex, ON, Canada, plant, features a flat-plane crankshaft that is said to allow the 5.2L to breathe better and produce more power. That’s a design that usually is found on only high-priced exotics, like the Ferrari 458, Porsche 918 and a pair of cars from McLaren.

That’s one of the technology features Ford expects to draw non-traditional Mustang buyers to the GT350, along with the car’s handling and braking capability, the latter highlighted by its 6-piston Brembo calipers and 15.5-in. (394-mm) 2-piece rotors.

The new model should appeal to customers of high-end European makes but “who really want an American car,” says Jim Farley, Ford’s chief marketing officer. “This is an in-your-face (car); there’s nothing subtle about it.

“There’s just a few cars that can do what this car does,” he adds, pointing to its high-output, normally aspirated V-8, manual transmission and “European-type stopping distance.

“This is hard to do in our business.”

Ford officials say they will limit GT350 volume to preserve the model’s value, but they decline to reveal the planning volume number. All U.S. dealers will be eligible to sell the car, but Farley says Ford will be looking at individual dealer sales performance when it comes to determining allocation.

The car has a slightly wider track than the standard Mustang and some unique body panels aimed at improving aerodynamics. However, the GT350 won’t be batch-built but will be assembled in the mix as ordered with other Mustangs at Ford’s Flat Rock, MI, plant.

No right-hand-drive version is envisioned, says Joe Hinrichs, president-the Americas, and there are no plans to sell the car in markets other than North America and the Mideast.

Although derived from the 5.0L, the 5.2L features a unique block with bigger bores, a new head, pistons, connecting rods and other key components.

“It’s really an all-new engine,” says Jamal Hameedi, Global Performance Vehicles chief engineer, who adds some 30 engineering changes had to be made to accommodate the flat crankshaft without causing noise, vibration and harshness issues.

“So there was a lot of engineering involved,” he says.

Ford is remaining mum on the output specifics, but says the 5.2L will produce more than 500 hp and 400 lb.-ft. (542 Nm) of torque. Pricing also is being withheld for now. The last Shelby Mustang, the GT500, based at about $55,000 and about 2,000 were sold each of the two years in production, Ford officials say.

Despite its all-out performance orientation, the GT350 offers some creature comforts, including an optional 8-in. (20 cm) infotainment screen and leather trim.

“(Performance) purists want no radio, no back seat,” Farley notes of the debate that occurred inside Ford about how well-equipped the GT350 should be. “But (the development) team felt strongly…from experience, some customers want certain comforts.

“We’re learning.”

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