Shelby Super Snake: Next Mustang Tops 600 Horsepower

Yes, you read that right. Ford is coming out with yet another specialized Mustang from Carroll Shelby, this one called the Super Snake. It will be street legal and sport a 600 hp engine that can be optioned out to up to 725 hp. Yes, 725 hp.

The 600 hp, 590 pounds-feet of torque version of the Super Snake package — it’s an option on the GT500 — version will be covered by warranty. The 725 hp version? Not so much. The Super Snakes will start terrorizing streets near you in late 2007, early 2008.

Let’s take stock of the current lineup of super special Mustangs that will all be on the market at the same time:

• Shelby GT with 319 hp
• Shelby Cobra GT500 with 500 hp
• Shelby GT500KR with 540 hp
• Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 600 to 725 hp

No pricing details have been announced on either the Super Snake or the GT500KR, which was introduced at the New York auto show earlier this month.

Related
New York Auto Show: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR (KickingTires)
Ford Puts a Price Tag on 2007 Shelby GT (KickingTires)
Weekend Getaway in the Ford Shelby GT500 (KickingTires)

Comments

[Amuro Ray]

It's funny that you'll never know what an empty-headed, totally loss company will do when it is struggling to survive.
First you piss off those customers who bought the "earlier" versions of the super Mustangs, thinking that they have bought the "ultimate" - boy were they wrong, and sure they'll go to the dealership and buy the "next" one immediately.
Second you totally destroy the resale/residual values of those previous versions.
Third you put all your efforts on to some special vehicles that
(a) v. small # of customer will buy/can afford;
(b) put all ur R&D funds into this type of vehicle instead of sthg that that mass public needs (like a fuel efficient, small size vehicle).
Fourth you destroy the "green" image that your EX-CEO once put out on all TVs across the nation...unless that idea got dropped already :(
And finally, fifth you have fallen into the "duck who lay the golden egg" story - the mustang is pretty ok in sales (the duck's laying the golden egg), so why don't we (Ford) keep using it as our money shaker, and keep on POWERING it, while we can forget 'bou improving it in terms of model look, engine refinement (for regular versions), interior upgrade, newer technology, etc.?

What's next? Shelby GT500 Ultimate Cobra with 800+ hp?

Morons...

[Dave T.]

while it is a bit much as far as trims I doubt the amount of money spent on development after the original gt500 was that high and they'll probably make a decent profit on them.

[Dan]

So first people complain that Ford doesn't update their vehicles often enough, and now they're complaining that they update too often? Man, no wonder their execs are having a hard time gauging the market.

My thoughts: Cool!

[Amuro Ray]

Dan, u got it all wrong:

(1) When people complains 'bou not having refresh often, MOST are talking 'bou the bread & butter models, not a SUPER-NICHE vehicle. How many would really care 'bou a Super Cobra or Whatever Cobra Mustang? Ford Focus has been out for more than 5 years with no significant change, Ford Ranger 4EVER, then...wait a sec., that's really 'bou it with Ford! See how sad this is :(

(2) 4 modifications for a single niche model in a time span of 1 year or so? That's WAY TOO MANY!

"Man, no wonder their execs are having a hard time gauging the market."
That only tells me how "GOOD" their execs are, u know. I don't hear this same problem with manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, etc. Focus on what the people actually needs and buys, but not on the so called halo vehicle that much!

Finally, are you the owner of any of the previous Ford's Mustang super-powered? Imagine you spending $30-40K on the "now-previous" versions, and suddenly, less than a few months, sthg more powerful has come up! I thought that this only happens to computers!

If you are, SUPER NOT COOL :)

[Dave T.]

well theoretically you're talking almost a year or more before these actually hit the streets from the time people took delivery of the first GT500s.

These are more akin to the trims of the 1960s when they released a lot of different models. Its actually exactly the same thing. So it's not new in any way and I think car guys dig that. It has no effect on the company outside of the enthusiast world and the guys who want a high powered mustang. It's really not that big a deal beyond the fact that you can purcahse a street legal 725 hp MUSTANG! crazy.

This means death for alotta idiots. Tryin to handle up 725 hp on a normal road, sure as heck won't be easy, no matter how good the suspension is.

[Amuro Ray]

"This means death for alotta idiots."

If u build them, they will come :)

(Very good point, dude. No matter how good we think our driving skill is, none of us has been trained to drive these types of high power car - reminds me of that Griffin guy who trashed his Ferrari or Lambo just a month or so ago, and that was even in a "closed" course with perfect road condition!)

[Tom]

I like it and that's the only thing that counts. I've wanted a car like this since I watched Mel Gibson wreaking havoc on the Australian countryside in his Ford Interceptor.

My life will soon be complete.

[jyd]

Wow, why all the hating on Ford for this limited edition Mustang? If all the wimps are done whining about too much horsepower or yet another version of the Mustang go get in your wuss-mobiles and drive to your local tofu stand. The Super Snake is an extremely cool extremely limited production collectible Mustang.

Amuro, first I don't think anyone is going to be pissed off about buying an earlier version of the new Mustang. Cars are updated and improved every year. Second, residual/resale values will be based on availability and popularity (supply and demand). Previous limited edition models will still be worth a lot of money. Third, Ford didn't put "all their efforts" into this Mustang. They simply dropped a venomous engine in the beast. In case you weren't paying attention, they recently released a new Super Duty, new Fusion awd and new Edge crossover. Fourth, this extremely limited production vehicle doesn't kill their eco-green image. Not everyone wants the Escape hybrid or the soon to be released Fusion hybrid or a Focus. Fifth, the new Mustang is a success by any measure. Ford is improving the model look with many different versions at all price points. The engines for the regular versions are just fine as are the interiors. Moron indeed.

[Troy]

With fuel in the 3.00 range, I'm sure sales will be slow. Any estimate on fuel economy?

I understand the person who would probably buy this car could care less about MPG but, I had to ask.

[Dan]

Amuro-
It's called "planned obsolescence" and it's a popular marketing strategy used by many companies much more successful than Ford. It doesn't work as well in bread and butter models because those rarely evoke strong emotions in customers. To make it work you have to put it into a product that people are willing blow lots of money on. This generally is a product whose practicality has nothing at all to do its desirability. The Mustang is perfect for this. These are minor modifications they're making, that cost VERY LITTLE R&D money, but will get that spoiled brat to dump his one year old Mustang and beg mommy and daddy to buy him a brand new one with the additional power. Ford did trip up a bit on this one though. To make it work, you can't let the customer base know about it until your most recent model is in their hands. The 500GT-KR (or whatever) hasn't even made it into the hands of people yet, and they're already releasing info on a better one. So in that fashion, you're right. It's too soon.

All this is not saying that more frequent freshenings of the regular models wouldn't hurt. With a 3-4 year period between car trades, they really do need to have something new at the dealership to see. But changing these models every single year would be a waste, as the customers aren't coming back that soon anyway.

So is this moronic? Absolutely not. The Mustang is a halo car for Ford. It makes gives the name "Ford" a positive connotation among the both the young and young at heart. Building more powerful models each year creates additional excitement, and makes it look as if Ford is going places. It keeps people salivating over Ford products rather than thinking that the competition may have something to offer. It brings people into showrooms to see the new Mustang, where a high pressure sales pitch may send them home in a Fusion. Some of these people haven't been in a Ford dealership for 20 years, so most models there will be new to them anyway.

I do, however, share other posters concerns about 725bhp cars in the hands of anyone who can pass a licensing test. A raging syphalitic monkey could pass one of those.

[Bob]

I like all these hot Mustangs. But I think the one that comes out in 2009 will be called The Mustang Shelby Supercalafragilisticexpeealadocious 1000. It will have 1000 horsepower. I'm waiting for it.

[Zerf]

jyd, well said.

725 hp is insane to be on the street but sounds cool to me, hopefully they use it on the street to get to the track. I am not as concerned as others about this running havoc on the street. I am guessing the price will be close to $50K for a monster like this, there are not going to be that many of them on the road. I have yet to see anything beyond a base GT on the roads around here. To be honest I would be more nervous about the GT, Evo and WRX/STI crowd since they will far out weigh the Super Snake in numbers. I see more wreckless driving in this area by minivans, family sedans and luxury cars then any performance car.

[George]

300hp sounds insane when you have a 54/46 weight distribution.

[Happymantis]

come on, Amuro Ray, you're being too harsh. You're railing on Ford for coming out with more powerful versions of the Mustang, and your contention is that customers who have recently bought versions of these specialized Mustangs will feel betrayed because they're stuck with a product that isn't as powerful as the new ones? Seriously, there is definitely going to be a hefty markup on these specialized models?.If I bought a specialized Shelby GT Mustang for $35K, I know that I can't afford a Super Snake edition for many thousands more! Jeez, I agree with you on the whole point that Ford's gameplan overall is messed up, but their specialized Mustang lineup is one of their saving graces, in my humble opinion.

[J]

"This means death for alotta idiots."

Reminds me of some actress named Lohan, driving a SL65 and wrecking it, how many times? 3?

People will over-estimate themselves that they can handle this.

[Spanky]

Brand new from Ford in 2009 a diesel edition tentatively labelled Clidesdale:)

Or a hybrid model called affectionatly "The Shetland."

Biodiesel compatible Ford Jackass:)

okay...switching to decaf;)

[Spanky]

Brand new from Ford in 2009 a diesel edition tentatively labelled Clidesdale:)

Or a hybrid model called affectionatly "The Shetland."

Biodiesel compatible Ford Jackass:)

okay...switching to decaf;)

[Colton Courter]

most of you need to quit pissen and moanen and except the fact of course there going to get fast isnt it the same for all companies im glad they came out with this 600 plus horsepower car with the 6 speed transmission this thing will stomp out the Z28 anyday besides if i had the money i would buy this thing in a heartbeat but I dont all I have to mess around with is a 88 Grand Marquis with a 302 that has 208,000 miles on it and it might if im lucky push out 120hp. The more hp the better. And about the GT500KR do you guys not understand its the 40th Anv. car for the GT500 I wish I was lucky enough to get to drive the GT500

[Infosaur]

Y'all realize of course that you will probably only ever see these cars twice a year at the local Fireman's Labor Day Carnival Car Show?

Cars like this are rarely driven, often they just sit in some guy's garage to be brought out to be polished.

Barrett-Jackson must be happy though, He's gonna have something to sell in 2032

[Maurice Poirier]

Hi there !

I have a 2007 Shelby GT500 convertable does anybody know's if the Super Snake upgrade will be availeble for this model?

thank you
Maurice Poirier
Ph: 506-851-1784
email: gmbpoirier@hotmail.com

[smith]

Hello,
I am smith dave am using this medium to contact you on behalf of client to purchase this item and it will be send to UK .Would you please email me with the final asking price of the item for immediate purchase?
[1.] Do you accept a ( Cashier Check / Money Order ) as a mode of payment?
[ 2. ] What is the final asking prize you can go at last?
[3] Will you let our shipping company to come to you house for the pick up of the item cos we don't want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the item.
[4 ] You are to send your NAME,ADDRESS,TEL # to mail out the payment today.
[ 5. ] Will you be able to send the excess fund back to the shipping company via western union money transfer same day you recieve and cash the check for the arrangement of the home pick up from your house down to my client.shippment. i'll like this transaction to be kept in utmost trust
Thanks

Idiots will end up in a ditch somewhere.

some of you guys are just jealous....

is my favorite car the best i love it

[john]

I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO CAN BUY AND AFFORD 725 H.P. MOST KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING BEFORE THEY BUY. I AM MORE WORRIED ABOUT DRIVERS WHO THINK THEY ARE SO RIGHT FOR BUYING "ECO FRIENDLY" CARS (THERE IS NO SUCH THING - ALL CARS POLUTE - EVEN THE PLUG INS) WHO DON'T THINK KNOWING HOW TO DRIVE IS VERY IMPORTANT AS LONG AS THEY ARE POLITICALLY CORRECT. BE RESPONSIBLE AND LEARN HOW TO DRIVE! SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE BUY THINGS THEY ACTUAALY WANT INSTEAD OF WHAT THE LATEST THING IS. ENJOY LIFE AND DO AT LEAST ONE THING YOU WANT TO DO WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT WHAT SOME BUSY BODY THINKS. DON'T BE JEALOUS OF OTHERS ENJOYING THEMSELVES - ENJOY YOURSELF FROM TIME TO TIME. LIFE IS TOO SHORT!

[SILVER FOX]

why does ford messup a good left rear quarter pannel with a gas cap so it would look like the right rear quqrter the gas cap should be behind the licens plate at the rear of the car like the most suissfully mustang in the world the 69 r code 428 390 351 boss 429 an exct. Why mess up a good peace of metal no the dam gas tank is not going to blow up.

[RS]

I think that whoever wants to build and sell super automobiles should make sure that they install all of the safty devices insure someone lives if they lose control of their super car.