Ford's Potent Pony: The 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 Introduced at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

One of the highlights of Ford’s display at the 2009 Detroit auto show is the debut of the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that has been blessed by the 86-year-old Carroll Shelby himself. For the 2010 model year, the GT500 is equipped with the same powerplant that was fitted into last year’s limited-edition GT500KR, a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 cranking out 540 hp at 6,200 rpm and 510 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This new Shelby Mustang GT500 is available at Sanderson Ford in Glendale, AZ for June 2009 delivery.

While the powertrain is virtually the same as on the "King of the Road" KR limited production Shelby Mustang, the 2010 Mustang Shelby GT that will be sold by Sanderson Ford in 2009 is fitted with distinctive new sheetmetal that puts a bolder faced, broader shouldered and generally more aggressive-looking Mustang on the road. The front end appearance is dominated by a larger front grille opening and a raised power dome bulging upward from the center line of the hood. Ford has placed a fully functional air extractor in the hood to vent out the Shelby's engine compartment hot air and help keep things cooler.

The famous and sought after Shelby Cobra logo has been moved from the traditional left side of the Mustang's grille over to the right side in order to make way for an intake snorkel that routes cold air into the big supercharged V8. Jamal Hameedi, chief program engineer for the Shelby Mustang, said that Carroll Shelby blessed the change. “Shelby said, ‘Does it make more power?’ I told him it did, and he said, ‘I like it.’ ”

The car rides on Shelby Mustang exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels and tires, with new 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels optional. At the rear of the car, a large spoiler with a Gurney flap adorns the decklid, and the letters spelling out “Shelby” stretch across the entire width of the rear.

Inside, the exterior racing stripes are picked up in the seats, stitched into the leather. Aluminum surrounds the gauge bezels in an understated treatment.

“We were charged with creating the ultimate GT,” Hameedi said. “I think we did that, but I’m a bit biased. This car is the direct result of all the work we did on the KR. But this car has a better ride, better handling and a more refined powertrain. The better chassis balance gives us the better ride and the new tires [Goodyear F1 Supercar] provide better grip.”

The GT500 has been fitted with new springs that are 13 percent stiffer in the front and 7 percent stiffer in the rear. Four-piston Brembo calipers clamp everything down.

The electronic controls have been upgraded as well, with a three-mode electronic stability-control system. The system can be switched on, off or to sport mode. The car is electronically limited to 155 mph, and while Ford would not release a 0-to-60-mph time, it is expected to be in the range of the KR at 4.3 seconds.

Hameedi said the GT500 has gained 20 pounds from the old model, thanks in part to more sound deadening to improve the car’s NVH. “It’s quieter and faster,” Hameedi said. “This is a better car in every respect than the car it replaces.”

Sanderson Ford is offering the new 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 in both coupe and convertible models, with demand and production estimates projecting 70 percent coupes to 30 percent convertibles. The 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will be in Sanderson Ford's showroom in June, 2009.

This blog posting was edited from an article written by Roger Hart
Automotive News - January 1, 2009
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