GottaBeRed said:
It appears that Ford will rollout the S197 in similar fashion. Its a numbers game from Ford's marketing perspective, (- if they gave everyone a supercharged 5.4 some people would still be screaming for more HP -) satisfy the target market but still leave them enough room to keep their appetites whetted. Product development is incremental over time; my suggestion would be to exercise patience - better things are always on the horizon.
Although there is probably a lot of truth there, it should also be mentioned that the V6 is the biggest seller, so even though there is often a lot of vocal acclaim for more BHP it doesn't always sell as well off of the show room floor.
Even something like the 04 Cobra, as fast/good looking and good value as it was there where loads still left sitting on show room floors nearly a year later.
This is why companies such Ford will make limited run high BHP cars, just to try an elevate the standing of the model in the hope it will increase sales of the lower end models.
The new GT500 will sell well I'm sure, but no where near the numbers even the GT manages. I guess once sales start to lag a bit there will be a rivival of the Mach or the Bullitt or one of the other names from the past. However as in most cases it will likely be trim and styling based option with perhaphs a little more power (10-30bhp??).
If Ford are feeling really amibious then yes they may introduce a full time higher end model (as the Shelby is more likely to be limited production). I doubt it will be all that different styling wise, maybe a bonnet scoop style arrangment and different interior options, but it will most certainly use the same drive train, so No IRS, if the Shelby doesn't warrant it, then it won't be seen for a while.
As for powerplant, well I guess the logical assumption would be a 5.4 litre aluminium 3v per cylinder SOHC unit, very similar to the current 4.6 and with circa 350-385bhp. But I suppose this will all depend on how long Ford beleives the modular engine design will remain in production.
I guess there are plans a foot for a whole new range of engines maybe a development of the Jaguar AJV8 or the Aston V12, or using the more modern technology of the 4 cylinder ZeeTec engine range.
If a new V8 was made from the current 2.0 ZeeTec engine it would produce in the region of 390bhp in 4.6 litre trim, be a lot smaller than the current modular engine and probably weigh in at a couple of hundred pounds lighter too.
It will be interesting to see the developments over the next 5 years or so.