Ford has released output numbers concerning the engine that will power the upcoming Shelby GT350 and GT350R. It’s a flat-plane crank V8 5.2-liter unit described as being the “most power-dense and the most powerful naturally aspirated road-going engine in Ford history” and up until now we’ve known it can generate more than 500 bhp and 400 lb-ft of torque. This week, the Blue Oval company has announced the engine is capable of producing 526 bhp and 429 lb-ft.
It’s Ford’s highest-revving V8 engine ever thanks to an 8,250 rpm redline while 90% of the torque is available from 3,450 rpm up to 7,000 rpm. The motor develops 102 bhp per liter and comes with a flat-plane crankshaft which Ford says it’s typically found in Ferrari models. In this engine, the connecting rods are attached to the flat-plane crankshaft at aligned 180-degree intervals to create what appears to be a flat line of counterweights when viewed down the axis of the crankshaft.
Ford goes on to specify the V8 engine powering the Shelby GT350 and GT350R has a “racetrack-friendly spread of nearly 3,000 rpm between its torque and horsepower tweaks.” The motor will work with a 6-speed manual Tremec TR-3160 lightweight gearbox which has been specifically engineered for high-rpm application and a lightweight construction.
Both the Shelby GT350 and GT350R are programmed to go on sale this fall.
Source: Ford
