2010 Ford Shelby GT500 @ 2009 NAIAS

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Like the new Ford Mustang GT and V6 models introduced at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2010 Shelby GT500 to be introduced at the Detroit auto show in January is far from an all-new car.

Like its more pedestrian brethren, the GT500 gets a revised look, a vastly improved interior and a bump in horsepower for the 2010 model year. The car goes on sale in early spring 2009.

Unlike the meager 15-hp injection given to the GT, the GT500 gets 40 horses more for a grand total of 540. And no, Ford will not change this car's name to GT540. The 2010 model uses the same, basic supercharged 5.4-liter V8, but it's tuned more like the limited-edition GT500 KR. A new cold-air intake draws air from the upper front grille through its own snorkel, and this piece helps generate the increased power. It's so important that the Cobra emblem on the grille has been moved to the passenger side so as not to block the intake. Along with the 540 hp at 6,200 rpm, the reworked motor now makes 510 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm (a 30 lb-ft increase).

The GT500's increased accelerative thrust will be aided by a new 3.55:1 rear end, in place of last year's 3.31. Even so, Ford says that the 2010 model will get a 10 percent improvement in highway fuel economy thanks to taller 5th and 6th gear ratios in its six-speed manual transmission. Figure it should return about 22 mpg highway.

In truth, the last thing the GT500 really needs is more power; what it needs is a retuned suspension. The 2009 GT500 is just too soft and floppy for track duty, with a noted tendency toward understeer. Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer, has been aware of this fact. So Hameedi says the 2010 GT500 incorporates lessons learned from the KR development for suspension tuning as well. For example, the 2010 GT500's front springs are 13 percent stiffer and the rears are 7 percent stiffer. The new model also carries the next generation of Goodyear's Eagle F1 Supercar tires, upsized to 19-inchers for the coupe. The convertible version (which arrives at the same time as the coupe and should account for about 30 percent of sales) sticks with 18-inch wheels and tires. Hameedi claims the GT500 should be significantly quicker through the slalom and less prone to understeer. The new car will also come standard with the three-mode traction and stability control system (on, off and sport), just like the new Mustang GT.

Ford also tells us that the new GT500 will have better aerodynamic balance. A pan under the engine reduces front-end lift and a new rear spoiler reduces lift in the back. The GT500 won't be any lighter than the outgoing model due in part to the addition of more acoustic insulation. However, the 2010 GT500 will get a heavy dose of stripes. As Chief Designer Doug Gaffka says, "The car is all about performance, but a lot about design." In all, Ford will offer five different stripe packages, including striped leather seats and a striped cue-ball shift knob. And when we say cue ball we mean it — the shift knob is supplied by a maker of billiard balls.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2010
• Ford
• Mustang
• Shelby
• GT500
• 2009
• NAIAS
• Edmunds
• Inside
• Line
• muscle
• car
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• show
• motor

[highflyer4]

@locoawise Gm didnt make the camaro ss to compete with the gt500, they made it to compete with the mustang gt since they both start around 30k. The camaro was winning in performance with a much larger 6.2l to the gt's 4.6, until ford came out with the 2011 5.0. Due to the mustangs lighter body and smaller more advanced engine the mustang now beats the camaro in all categories, acceleration, MPG etc. The gt500 was made for the richer people who want more of a collectible, not the everyday person.

[SnipeSpace]

@socfriend420 Why would they get rid of a Supra in the first place >.> QQ

[highflyer4]

@stavi017 Actually no its the ZL1 and it comes out this year same with the new gt500 which has 650 hp and 600 tq. Again the Zl1 will fall behind, if it came out last year it probably would of had a year on top. Also if you wana call someone a dumb ass can you name the year that the camaro beat the gt500? There is none since they camaro never had a car to compete with the gt500 untill this year. Again the new 2013 gt500 capable of 200 mph with 650 hp will most likely be on top.

[stavi017]

@highflyer4 ever heard of the camaro zl2, camaro, now once again beats the gt500, dumb ass XD. even though camaro never lost to the gt500 in the first place.

[HANS2994]

ford you rock my first and last car willbe a mustang!!!

[radar3699]

lololol ok i'm sorry Ford but that interior is LAUGHABLE

[MeMo5682]

@undeadkillers

Camaro its a dustpan with wheels

[MeMo5682]

fuel eficency .........great success from 30L / 100 Km now does it for amazingly 29.5 L / 100 Km . And the interior still looks like a 1999 Ford Fiesta .

[NIKEBOY210]

I was watching this video and there was an ad for a Camaro. How ironic.

[Sergimosh]

PRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS



[marcvie9]

@undeadkillers a camero is a car from chevrolet, Chevrolet Camero

[letsgobassfishin]

they see me rollin'.....