FORD Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible 2012-2014 Photos, engines & full specs

The Shelby Mustang was for Ford something even more important than the AMG for the Mercedes-Benz. It was the name that helped Ford to win the LeMans race. And it was an important badge ever since.

After two decades since the launch of the original SVT Mustang Cobra, the American car-maker launched a new, mean, convertible machine. It was built to blast around on the racetrack in week-end races and cruise around nice and proud as well. On top of that, the silver Cobra logo on its grille told the bystanders that it wasn't a regular Mustang.

The Mustang Cobra was a car to be respected on the road. Its mean look, with a dome hood and massive dual grille split in half by the front bumper, had a unique appearance on the road. It was the kind of car that could drive around nicely, or scream from the top of its supercharged engine. The flared front fenders and muscular look of the rear quarter-panels told the same story of an angry car that could run faster than it looks.

Inside, the Mustang Shelby was not the basic, V6 Mustang with cloth seats. It featured standard Recaro seats and, between the big round dials in the instrument cluster, there was a TFT display for the on-board computer. The seats in the back were usable.

Under the hood, the V8 was aided by a Roots supercharger and t was mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The revised suspension and the big Brembo brakes helped the car run faster on a race-track. It was 3.5 seconds faster on the 3.74 miles (6.02 km) Sebring International Raceway track.