2011 Ford GT500 spanks last year's model by nine seconds at VIR

[Falc'man]

Not bad for an extra 10hp.

Link

Video

We know firsthand that both the 2011 Ford Mustang V6 and GT aren't just plenty quick – they're downright scary fast compared to their predecessors. It should follow, that the king of the heap 2011 GT500 should be similarly faster than the 2010 model. Let's just go ahead and call that one an understatement. Ford just dropped a tasty video on the interwebs showing the car lapping one of our favorite tracks – Virginia International Speedway.

Ford's engineers had it in their minds that the new aluminum block with its 120-pound weight savings should help the car click off the 4.1-mile Grand West portion of the track about three seconds quicker than the outgoing car. Thing is, the 2011 GT500 managed to lap the track in 2:58.5 – a full nine seconds faster than last year's version.

Progress is most definitely a good thing. Hit the jump to see the car do the dance.

[flappist]

AND my datto is class leader......

[CAT600]

Really???

2 seconds faster than the 05/06 Ford GT, half a second faster then the GT-R and less than 7 seconds behind the ZR1?

That's pretty cool for a truck-engined ponycar!

Daniel

[mik]

that things a rocket, pulling some good g`s there too if i`m not mistaken.

[jpd80]

The Mustang's three link rear end has often been critisized on here and other forums
for not being in the same league as IRS but guess what, it's doing the job...

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by flappist

AND my datto is class leader......

Yep, it's amazing what a 3.5 :P litre V6 could manage with a well sorted chassis.

[Deech]

The M6 is only half a second faster than the 335 coupe?

[austyphoon]

No doubt the car will be quicker then the previous model but let's see if the car can achieve the same time when independently tested in something like Car and Drivers lightning lap.

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by austyphoon

No doubt the car will be quicker then the previous model but let's see if the car can achieve the same time when independently tested in something like Car and Drivers lightning lap.

Judging by that messy lap I think c&d will go quicker.

[Blast2]

I wonder what lap it would do with mods

[Windsor220]

The ZR1 is bloody quick by the looks of it. Good time by the GT500. Should be able to crack the top 10 with a bit of luck.

[Falc'man]

It's these "little" things that have made the SVT Mustanga giant-killer.

Originally Posted by wescoent

Keep in mind, that this particular GT500 was equipped with the SVT Performance Pack, which was designed specifically to improve lap times:

http://www.mustangblog.com/blog/1042...ackage-details

One highlight:

This is in addition to the usual tricks... lowered, special shocks, special spoiler, rear axle, and other suspension tunes. This is a car specifically designed for performance duty, where the regular GT500 is a street cruiser that's also capable of astonishing performance.

That's a $53,000 Mustang that will hang with the Audi R8 V10 on a track.

I remember talking to some folks not long ago about how the EcoBoost V6 Mustang test car was hanging with the Audi R8 8-cylinder on the track, and it almost seemed unbelievable... not so much anymore.

And the Ecoboost Mustang is looking like it will be a thorn in many a hot Euro's back side.

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

And the Ecoboost Mustang is looking like it will be a thorn in many a hot Euro's back side.

Didn't realise the ecoboost stang was still getting the go ahead Youssef. I know there was development (wouldn't be that hard to put the ecoboost V6 in the stang assuming there is room for the turbos). Don't know if i see the point with the V8 being in there already (and clearly doing a good job)

Unless that report was 'old'....i'm sure i read somwhere the Ford engineers said there was 'no room' for the turbos in the stang engine bay (or did they mean for twin turbo coyote??).

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

Didn't realise the ecoboost stang was still getting the go ahead Youssef. I know there was development (wouldn't be that hard to put the ecoboost V6 in the stang assuming there is room for the turbos). Don't know if i see the point with the V8 being in there already (and clearly doing a good job)

Unless that report was 'old'....i'm sure i read somwhere the Ford engineers said there was 'no room' for the turbos in the stang engine bay (or did they mean for twin turbo coyote??).

He's speaking of the Ecoboost V6, not the V8.

According to wescoent you shouldn't count out the V8 Ecoboost, either. Albeit with less capacity.

[Falc'man]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPd-W8OeE4w

Another 2011 GT500, but a different track.

[FPV8U]

Amazing performance for the 2011 GT500 out of the box, good to see SVT giving the Modular Series of engines a "Hero" send off.

[Bad Bird]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The Mustang's three link rear end has often been critisized on here and other forums
for not being in the same league as IRS but guess what, it's doing the job...

That is because when the term 'live axle' is mentioned some people immediately think 'leaf springs'. Three links are a brilliant design allowing for more anti-squat than an IRS (this is a very good thing) whilst maintaining roll understeer (also very good).

[Bossxr8]

There's no reason why a live axled car can't match an IRS equipped car on a smooth racetrack. Throw in a bumpy, rough surface and its a different story.

[Bad Bird]

With a long side view swing arm, a live axle can be reasonably hard to upset on a rough surface as well. It still won't be as smooth as an IRS, but it will be a lot better than a live axle with a short swing arm (like a leaf spring setup).