The legendary Ford Mustang line has spit out many iterations in its decorated history, but of all the versions of that line, none has been more powerful than the Shelby GT500 Super Snake.

First introduced in 2008, the Shelby GT500 Super Snake has been the crown jewel of the Mustang line, a car that blends torque-twisting muscle with a supercar-like power that very few American-made cars can reach.

This month, the latest incarnation of the Shelby GT500 Super Snake will slither its way to New York when it makes its official debut at the New York International Auto Show.

The car's debut in New York is symbolic of the rich history between the annual event and the American marquee. According to John Luft, president of Shelby->ke1359 American Inc., the New York International Show holds a special place in the hearts of Shelby. "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," he said. "This year, we're returning with one of the most powerful and important Shelbys ever built."

Needless to say, we're all gearing up for the New York Auto Show, especially for the unveiling of this American icon.

Details on the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake after the jump.

Photos shown are of the 2011 Shelby GT500 Super Snake

2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake
  • Engine/Motor: 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine
  • Horsepower: 800 horsepower
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

Full details on the 2012 Shelby GT500 Super Snake will be revealed at the New York Auto Show, but before the car makes it’s highly anticipated debut, the people over at Ford and Shelby have released the contents of the new package. Helping the Super Snake live up to its name will be a unique fiberglass hood featuring the iconic Shelby design and pins, a new Borla exhaust system, the Shelby signature Super Snake stripes that come in either matte black or matte white, and "Super Snake" vehicle badges. An official Shelby CSM interior plate and “Shelby" lettering across the rear deck lid allow the GT500 to be fully recognizable as a Shelby vehicle, while a set of Shelby-designed 20” Alcoa wheels that come with a choice of either durabright or antracite finish off the exterior look.

The interior is also "Shelby-ed" out with Shelby signature embroidered headrests and floor mats, along with other Shelby designed components. These signatures can be applied to optional two-tone leather.

Performance

Back when the Super Snake first slithered into our hearts, it 'only' came with 605 horsepower under its hood with an option for 725 ponies. Four years later, the serpentine muscle car now comes with a standard power of over 750 HP and 590 ft./lbs. of torque out of its 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine. That power can be taken up to a venom-spitting 800 horsepower with the optional upgrade. Helping the engine along is a six-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio and short-throw shifter. Stopping power will come from Forged Shelby/Baer brakes with 6 piston calipers and cross drilled/vented rotors.

Pricing

No word yet on the pricing for the 2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake but don’t expect it to hit $100,000. Whatever sticker tag it may come with, the latest edition of the iconic American super car is set to be offered as a limited production beginning on May 1, 2011 right after its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show.

Competition

We have to apologize to the Chevrolet Camaro->ke248 and the Dodge Charger->ke218, two of the Mustang's most famous rivals. When it comes to the Mustang, both the Camaro and the Charger can definitely hold their own. But once you include Shelby into the mix, then all bets are most definitely off.

Unless both models are tuned to high-heavens by an aftermarket company, then there's no way the Camaro Z1 and the Charger SRT8 - both the most powerful models of their lines - can keep up with the Shelby GT500 Super Snake.

So if you wanted a car that can give the Super Snake a run for its money, Hennessey's Chevrolet Camaro HPE800 and its twin-turbo 415cid stroker engine with 815 horsepower is ready to coil and go strike-for-strike with the GT500 Super Snake.