According to some we won’t be here in 2012, as the world is supposed to end, but just in case we are all still here there will be an epic battle that as car fans will be worth any rapture we might have to endure.  This week Ford confirmed that the 2012 Mustang GT500 will be released summer 2012 with a claimed 650HP, and in case you were wondering that is more Horse Power than the Camaro ZL1 (70) and the Corvette ZR1 (12).  This announcement by Ford is setting the stage for a knock down drag out fight between American Muscle and American Muscle. 

For the past few months the Camaro ZL1 has taken the center stage with its blistering fast track time at the Nurburgring, the rave reviews at SEMA and the general excitement generated by putting a Vette engine in a Camaro.  With all the discussion focusing on the Camaro it seems as if Ford just went along working on its GT500 without a worry as they knew that once the specs on the GT were released the attention would turn to their supposed Camaro Killer.  If anybody thought that Ford would just sit there while Chevrolet turned the Camaro into a supercar they were wrong.  Not only did Ford match the specs on the Camaro ZL1, they destroyed some of the numbers like the aforementioned horsepower. 

So what is the 2012 Mustang GT500 going to bring to the fight? 

#1  Aluminum V-8 with 650 Horsepower

#2  200 MPH Top Speed

#3  600 lb-ft of Torque

#4  3850 lb Curb Weight, which also means it will avoid the gas tax and almost 300lb lighter than ZL1

#5  Brembo (6 piston front/ 4 piston rear)Caliper w/ Cross drilled brakes

#6  6 Speed Manual Transmission with special gearing and bearings

#7  Dual Disc Clutch

#8  Carbon Fiber Driveshaft

On top of the standard issue weapons listed above Ford will also offer two performance packages to make the Mustang even more potent. 

The first package is called the Performance Package which includes the Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers with a push button for Sport or Comfort suspension adjustments.  The Performance package also includes the Torsen Limited Slip Differential. 

The second package offered by Ford is the Track Package which is really an upgrade for the Performance package and includes an external Engine oil cooler, a differential cooler and a transmission cooler. 

While all of this sounds GREAT on paper we a chomping at the bit for Ford to release a Nurburgring track video showing the GT500 posting a similar or better track time than the Camaro ZL1 did a few months ago.  

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