2012 Mustang GT500 Receivesa Few Minor Updates

The new 2012 Mustang Boss 302 may have stolen the limelight and turned heads around the world, but it isn’t the most powerful street-legal offering in the 2012 Mustang lineup; that title belongs to the 2012 Mustang GT500, which receives a few minor updates for the new model year.

For the most part, the Mustang GT500 is virtually identical to last year’s car, which was significantly updated for the 2011 model year. Ford hasn’t indicated just when the Mustang GT500 will arrive in showrooms, but seeing as dealers can now take customer orders, we imagine the supercharged muscle machines of the 2012 Ford GT 500 should reach consumers shortly.

The tweaks for the Mustang GT500 model year are few and far between. Sterling Grey Metallic is no longer available as the Mustang GT500 exterior paint color, and the driver’s side sun visor has been revised to incorporate an integral garage door opener.

Mustang GT500 buyers can now also opt for leather-trimmed Recaro front buckets with accent stripes, which add an extra $1595 to the window sticker. Other than that, little — including pricing — has changed in the 2012 Mustang GT500. Ford tells us Mustang GT500 coupes and 2012 GT500 Mustang Convertible start at $49,495 and $54,495, respectively (including destination), just as the 2011 models did.

Navigation and automatic climate control appear to remain a $2340 bundle, while the glass roof feature can still be added for $1995. The aforementioned SVT Performance Package also returns for the Mustang GT500 lineup, although its price jumps $500 to $3995.

Under the Mustang GT500 hood there will be the same aluminum 5.4 Liter supercharged V8, derived from the unit inside the Ford GT super car. A supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 continues to power the entire 2012 Mustang GT500, sending a solid 550 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels.

An optional SVT Performance Package adds additional go-fast goodies in the Mustang GT500, including a limited-slip differential with a 3.73:1 axle ratio, stiffer springs, a custom shift knob, SVT stripes, and 19 and 20-inch wheels fitted in front and back, respectively. The 2012 Shelby Mustang GT500 may still be packing the same gear as the last model, but who really cares? The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will probably still sell out just as quickly as the 2011 model did.

The 2012 Mustang GT500 Super Snake

Shelby American announced its plan to unveil the 2012 Mustang GT500 Super Snake at the New York Auto Show. “Shelby American has a rich history at the New York International Auto Show,” said John Luft, president of Shelby American Inc. in the 2012 Mustang GT500 Super Snake debut.

“The very first Shelby car was introduced there in 1962, as well as the 1968 and 2008 Shelby GT500KR and the 2006 Shelby Hertz GT-H. This year, we’re returning with one of the most powerful and important Shelby’s ever built.” According to the company, the 2012 Mustang GT500 Super Snake will pack the most horsepower ever from an American muscle car introduced at the show, 800 to be exact.

The Mustang Super Snake is legal in all 50 states and owners will be able to use pump gas. Among the many 2012 Mustang GT500 Super Snake upgrades used to make this kind of power is a Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger, which, not surprisingly, voids any remaining powertrain warranty from Ford.