The 2010 Shelby GT500 was revealed by Ford through a press release on January 1, 2009 as a precursor to a public unveiling at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. As before, many of the basic design characteristics of the new GT500 are shared with that of the Mustang and Mustang GT. In particular, the GT500 gains the same exterior and interior updates as the 2010 Mustang and Mustang GT. Differentiating it from the Mustang and Mustang GT on the outside, however, is a unique front fascia with larger upper and lower grilles, a unique hood, large fog lights mounted in the lower front fascia (similar to the previous GT500), Shelby’s signature cobra badges on the grille, front fenders, and trunk lid medallion (with Shelby lettering over the medallion), unique 19-inch wheels (18-inch on the convertible model), and a unique Gurney Flap rear spoiler. Inside the GT500, a unique cobra disc on the steering wheel, shift ball, and seats with embroidered cobras are the only major elements that differ it from the Mustang and Mustang GT.
Mechanically the 2010 Shelby GT500 remains closely related to the 2007–2009 GT500, but the 2010 model has been upgraded with various features similar to or found in the 2008 Shelby GT500KR. A conical cold air intake and other enhancements to the GT500′s supercharged 5.4 L DOHC V8 have resulted in an increase in output to 540 bhp (400 kW)@6200rpm and 510 lb·ft (691 N·m)@4500rpm, gains of 40 hp and 30 lb·ft of torque over the 2007–2009 GT500 respectively. The Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission returns for the 2010 GT500 but has been enhanced with larger clutch discs (250 mm (9.8 in) versus the 215 mm (8.5 in) discs used previously) and other measures to increase performance and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control. Additionally, the fifth and sixth gear ratios of the transmission have been changed from 0.80 to 0.74 and 0.63 to 0.50 respectively, contributing to an improvement in fuel efficiency that the 2010 GT500 enjoys over its predecessor. Complementing the transmission’s gear ratio changes is a new, more aggressive 3.55:1 ratio rear axle which replaces the 3.31:1 axle used previously. And According to Inside Line driver’s of the new 2010 Shelby can expect 0 to 60 times in 4.3 seconds from a stand still and 4 seconds flat with roll out. Elsewhere, the GT500′s aluminum hood, in addition to be stylistically different from that of the Mustang and Mustang GT, features an air extractor that helps cool the engine. Various aerodynamic upgrades, such as the design of the front fascia and the aforementioned Gurney Flap spoiler, contribute to increased downward force and a reduced coefficient of drag. Suspension enhancements found in the GT500KR are used in the 2010 GT500 to improve handling and, specifically, provide better roll control. The 2010 GT500 features Ford’s AdvanceTrac traction and stability control system standard with different settings to control the level of performance the driver desires.
The 2010 Shelby GT500 was released in the spring of 2009.
For 2011, the Shelby GT500 received significant performance enhancements and other upgrades. Arguably the most important of the GT500′s upgrades is a new aluminum engine block for the car’s supercharged 5.4 L DOHC V8, replacing the cast-iron block used previously. The block’s cylinder bores are coated with an iron and iron oxide composite that is applied with Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) technology, which was developed jointly by Ford and Flamespray Industries (www.flame-spray.com). The developers of PTWA received the IPO 2009 National Inventor of the Year award. The coating allows for the replacement of traditional cast-iron cylinder liners and marks Ford’s first use of this process. Between this and the use of lighter-weight aluminum for the engine block, the new block is 102 lbs lighter than the previous cast-iron version, contributing to a reduction in the overall weight of the GT500 compared to the 2010 model. Thanks to the new liner coating, which has friction-reducing characteristics, and a revised exhaust, horsepower production from the 5.4 L V8 has increased slightly for a total of 550 bhp (410 kW)@6200rpm. The combination of the lighter engine, EPAS, and aerodynamic enhancements result in an improvement in fuel efficiency for the 2011 GT500 relative to the 2010 model that eliminates the car’s gas guzzler tax.
Maximizing the performance potential of the lighter and more powerful 2011 GT500, a newly optional SVT Performance Package will be available. The package includes a more aggressive 3.73:1 rear axle, Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G:2 tires, 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch wheels in the rear (all four are made of forged aluminum), and firmer suspension tuning.
The Shelby GT500 gains the same non-powertrain related upgrades that standard V6 Mustangs and Mustang GTs get for 2011. Other new features for the GT500 for 2011 include standard HID headlights and a glass roof option.
Pricing ranges from $22,125 MSRP for the 2011 basic V6 Coupe to $48,645 MSRP for the 2011 Shelby GT500.
