Okay so, the 2016 GT350 and GT350R prices have hit the interwebs, and everyone is trying to figure out how to make one their own. Though discrepancies and curiosity abounds as to the truth of these leaked prices, we can somewhat use them as a guideline for what the actual prices could be.

With these prices at around $47k, it only leads to speculation that there will indeed be a higher-horsepower derivative available. The 2013-’14 GT500’s base price was higher than the 2016 GT350’s base price, so this would also tell us a more-powerful variant will be offered. What it will be called is anyone’s guess. Some think Ford doesn’t want to dilute the Shelby name by having both a GT350 and a GT500 at the same time, but that seemed to work fine back in the 1960s when both were available. Other opinions seem to think the Cobra name will be revived, even though half the people call a GT500 a Cobra. I know, it does have a Cobra emblem on several places on the car, but it’s still a Shelby GT500, not a Cobra.

The most recent Shelby GT500s were only available with a six-speed manual, but is it time for the car to have a paddle-shifted automatic option? With the Hellcat running 10.80s, the time might be now. Either that, or the upcoming GT500 or Cobra needs a drag radial option.

Regardless of the name, let’s look at the potential car’s competition. The biggest news out of Dodge, of course, is the Challenger SRT Hellcat, its 707 horsepower, and 10.8-second quarter-mile capability. On Dodge’s website, it touts the Hellcat as the, “fastest muscle car ever.” Them’s fightin’ words if you ask us. For Chevrolet’s part, the 2015 Camaro ZL1 featured 580 horsepower, and as you know, Chevrolet just debuted the 2016 Camaro, touting 455 hp in the new LT1, and we’re sure higher ouput models are in the works. We would bet the ZL1, or whatever the top Camaro will be, it’ll have at least 600 horsepower.

Back to the 2013-’14 Shelby GT500, it was rated at 662 horsepower, and with the Hellcat’s 707 horsepower, our money is on Ford at least matching that number with whatever they have planned. We know Ford saw Dodge’s proclamation, and that’s a quick number, for sure. However, if we were betting men, Ford will make sure the new car will be right on par with the Hellcat.

One aspect of the S550 chassis that will need to be addressed is the car’s IRS arrangement. If Ford is to dispatch the Hellcat’s 10.80s, the IRS system will need to be fortified for such times and abuse.

As for price, we bet the new car will be in the $60,000-range. The outgoing GT500 had a roughly $55,000 MSRP, and the Hellcat and ZL1 will probably be in the $60,000-range, as well. We think the new car has to come in at around this price to keep it competitive with the Hellcat and ZL1.

We saw the previous generation GT500 use a derivative of parts from the Ford GT. SVT basically raided the Ford GT parts bin to build the ’07 GT500 and then kept making it a badder car from there. Could we see the Cobra badge revived, and the new Ford GT’s EcoBoost V6 dropped into a high power variation of the S550? Would Ford strap forced induction on the Voodoo engine, or direct inject the Coyote and add forced induction? We’re not sure, we just have this gut feeling, that something badass is in the works, behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to see what that might be.

Of course, all this is speculation, but one thing we know for sure; enthusiasts are ready for another badass Mustang to modify, and show everyone else Ford ain’t playin’.