2010 Shelby GT500 Coupe and Convertible

Article
Gallery

By George Skentzos | January 01st, 2009

Ford has unveiled the flagship 2010 Shelby GT500 Coupe and Convertible, injecting some serious performance into the next generation Mustang range.

The new GT500 boasts the same engine that featured in the previous limited-edition GT500KR – a 5.4-litre supercharged V8.

The engine develops and impressive 402kW at 6200rpm and 690Nm at 4500rpm, mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a twin-plate clutch.

The clutch has been upgraded to a copper/fibreglass blend, ensuring a firm bite during hard launches, while a mechanism controls the intermediate plate making for smoother launches and shifts in normal driving conditions.

“We were charged with creating the ultimate GT,” Jamal Hameedi, chief program engineer for the car 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 transmission has also received a minor upgrade with taller gearing in fifth and sixth for improved fuel consumption at highway speeds.

These subtle improvements over the KR ensure its acceleration will be faster, but by how much is still anyone’s guess with the current GT500KR covering the 0-96km/h (0-60mph) dash in just 4.2 seconds.

While the overall powertrain is virtually identical to the KR, the exterior has brought the GT nameplate into the next generation with a serious of modern yet menacing visual enhancements.

“We worked hard to get as much downforce with as little drag as possible,” said Kerry Baldori, chief functional engineer for SVT. “We worked to seal off the air that comes in the front so it can’t go underneath the car. We spent a lot time sealing components such as the radiator and intercoolor to get rid of all the leak paths. The result of this evolution of aerodynamics is we’ve increased downforce, reduced drag and improved the overall efficiency of the 2010 Shelby GT500.”

The Shelby Cobra logo has been moved from its traditional location on the left hand side of the grille to clear a path for the cold air intake that feeds the V8.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 will arrive in showrooms in the first quarter of 2009, with the very first car to be auctioned alongside the first 2010 Mustang and the first 2010 Chevrolet Camaro at the Barrett-Jackson auction.

Taka

Very nice indeed
Geni

hell yeah! 402kW, thats insane! This, new dodge challenger, and chevy camaro, awesome. Who cares about axle tramp when it looks that good, and with that much power. Corners are overrated.
Minnow

Damn that looks nice.

That motor should make its way into some special falcon one day. That would be very sweet indeed. Insane exhaust note with supercharger whine, wow.
Twilight

wow.

Wow.

WOw.

WOW!!!!
Escort_Ghia

dam much better than the last GT.500
Twilight

some of the pictures display the car without the projector-beam headlights. looks better with them…

but like i said WOW!
Duck

Nice, but is it better than the Challenger or Camaro?
Tom

alot of bang for your buck in that

and it was the IRS making the axle tramp… despite popular opinion, Ford didn’t lose the IRS because of cost or weight, they done it because the market didn’t want it, the last gen mustang had IRS
Wheelnut

I agree twilight the Stang looks better with High Intensity Projector beam style headlights. Funny thing is there are similar photos of the Camaro with Intensity Projector beam style headlights and witrh more traditional style headlights and it looks better with the traditioanl style.

Although it would still be a hard decision to choose between the Mustang; the Camaro and the Challenger.
alex

Best looker out of the three… CAMERO/MUSTANG/CHALLENGER
ORIGINAL Alex

Could you stop stealing my name? ^^^^ I don’t usually type ORIGINAL

I would rather this to a Camaro or a Challenger, better looking than both and has more of a name for itself. These are cars that should be offered in Australia, not those stupid SS Commodores.
GTR

SWEET! I want one. I want it blue with white stripes!
(DROOLS)

ORIGINAL Alex ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Maybe the guy ‘Alex’ who is apparently stealing your name wants to be called ‘Alex’. It dosen’t mean he is stealing it. You might as well just say to him add you first initial of your last name so we can be seen different on this website.
DUDE

Far out. It looks stunning. I want one.
http://caradvice Blue Blood

I am in love,

Go Ford
http://. Naughyius Maximus

Really dont know what fuss is over…………..cause its ugly abd wedgy looking and outdated style! MASSIVE FUGLY.
Numbers on these cars and also Camaro dont equate to massive sales! They look tacky and outdated! Suppose Wheelnut you should like some retro cars like new Mini? When you want sales…….look at svelte numbers that look curvy and cute as when Iam with a lady I like a hot look and not an outdated one!
Mitch

new falcon engine?
Gibbo

Very hot, I love it.
Carl

How can it possibly be a 2010 model when it is being sold in the first quarter of 2009? 2010 is 12 months away!
Luke

New Falcon engine? I doubt it, but it might give FPV some ideas for the V8 boys if they plan on releasing a GTHO. Haha yes I said GTHO, slap me now!!
Simon

Such a classic and handsome muscle car. I wonder if they still use the prehistoric running gear?
realcars

There was a feature in Australian Muscle Car Sales earlier this year about a guy with a collection of immaculate performance Torana models. I think he had ten in total housed in a purpose built complex near his mansion. His wife was a blonde model type in her late 20′s and he looked to be in his fifties AND A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MAN. I think his wife drove an Audi Quartro or similar.

If that is what it takes to be a bogan I want to be one.LOL.
birdie

now thats BUILT FORD TOUGH ,VERY TOUGH :]
Andrew M

Carl,
i dont get that either.
since when was an ’08 model called a ’09 model, and now whay are ’09 models called ’10 models.

for the last quarter last year, hyundai were selling ’09 models???
the build plates would legally have to state ’08 plate for eg, so isnt it a bit of false advertising to call them ’09 plates??
DL

Not generally a Ford fan but that thing is all horn! What kinda money would they be up for? and will there be RHD?
Stevothedevo

If FPV slapped this donk in a GTHO I’d sell the house and buy one.
Phill

Nice,just needs a control blade rear.
ChopstaR87

this is one of my dream cars… A real Musle car… All About POWER!!! a true muscle car with true muscle car suspenion.

But saying that, this would be a Gaint killer if it sat on the falcon suspension so it would handle better, and mate the 402Kw V8 with the Quick Shifting ZF 6speed Auto.. with these Mods to the car.. it would be taken more seriously. let the Americans to do the sytle, which i love inside and out and the Big Meaty V8 and Australia to do the Rest.oh it wouldnt hurt it to lose some wieght…then it wouldnt just be a Muscle car, but a super car…
Ben Larden

Absolutely incredible! Huge improvement over the previous car. The side profile, especially the rear has a bit of Nissan GTR about it.

My pick would be
1)Mustang
2)Challenger SRT
3)Comaro.