It all comes down to chassis rigidity as the Predator V8 is simply too powerful for a roofless Mustang.
If you’re hoping for a convertible S550 GT500, it might be time to compromise with the coupe. Representatives from Ford confirmed to Ford Authority that a GT500 convertible will not be produced. This departure from Mustang tradition stems from some very valid concerns raised by the Ford team, which led to the coupe-only S550 GT500.
The S550 GT500 Mustang is the most capable Ford Mustang ever built, but sacrifices had to be made to obtain this level of performance. To begin with, the standard manual transmission that has been available on Mustang GT500s since the model’s inception is no longer available. A Tremec 8-Speed dual-clutch automatic has taken its place, shifting faster than you can blink.
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Ford prioritised chassis rigidity, suspension calibration, and brakes robust enough to handle the 5.2-liter Predator V8’s 760 horsepower to ensure the S550 wasn’t a one-trick pony that could only drive fast in a straight line (567 Kilowatts). The S550 Mustang GT500 sounds more like an Italian supercar than a coupe produced in Detroit, thanks to its attention to detail and spec sheet.
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Unfortunately, unlike most Italian supercars, Ford will not produce a convertible GT500. Dave Pericack, Director of Enterprise Product Line Management – Ford Icons, said to Ford Authority that the decision to maintain the S550 GT500 coupe came down to body rigidity. Ford would have had to use major engineering and exotic materials to produce a convertible with enough body stiffness to sustain the GT500’s powerplant, making the vehicle capable and lasting.
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The last generation S197 GT500 did come as a convertible but was down 100 horsepower when compared to the new S550 generation car at only 662 horsepower (494 Kilowatts). It appears that the 760 horsepower (567 Kilowatts) predator V8 in the S550 is simply too much for roof-down driving. So if you’re looking for a convertible Mustang stick to a normal GT or pick up an S197 GT500 and enjoy the last GT500 to offer a manual transmission.
Source: Ford Authority
