Engineered by Ford’s SVT performance division, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the show this year, the convertible GT500 features the same aerodynamic bodywork as the coupe, with the one very obvious difference being the roof.
“The engine and exhaust are just going to be in your ear,” says SVT Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi.
Both the coupe and convertible ride on a high-performance suspension system with available electronically controlled dampers that can be switched between comfort and sport modes, the latter for improved handling. New gearing in the transmission takes advantage of the motor’s prodigious 600 lb-ft of torque.
An advanced traction and stability control system offers several modes that incrementally decrease level of its intervention, as well as a launch control feature for the drag strip, where you probably shouldn’t be taking a convertible – at least not before you install a roll bar. If you do, an optional Track Package ads coolers for the engine oil, rear differential and transmission.
“Nothing has been left unturned to make this car a balanced, complete package,” Hameedi says.
Driving the point home, the new convertible is 3.5 seconds a lap faster around the challenging Sebring International Raceway road course than the 2012 GT500 hardtop was.
Smartly, and sadly for some, the top speed of the convertible has been electronically limited to 155 mph for safety reasons.
Pricing has not been announced, but the GT500 Convertible will go head to head with the 580 hp Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible when they both go on sale later this year.
Source: foxnews.com
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