-- Posted by IMPALA at 2:04 am on Jan. 1, 2009 What is it? 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 What's special about it? 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. What's Edmunds' take? In the name of science, we are willing to test the ability of the updated chassis to handle the increased power. Full Image Gallery Click here ____________________________________________________ took this from my local forum and cross posted it here, figured you guys might be interested. IMO This car looks pretty good. -- Posted by studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette. but beautiful car -- Posted by kitts at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 I WANT IT ITS PURDY -- Posted by Ruben at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 WHOAA!  badasss carr! -- Posted by agerask at 2:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 i saw one of those in the parking lot at best buy last night. it was the highlight of my day. not really. -- Posted by IMPALA at 2:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette. but beautiful car Chevy = / = Ford ? Now I've seen everything. -- Posted by bend at 2:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 what about the price? -- Posted by studmuffn at 2:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette.    but beautiful car Chevy = / = Ford ? Now I've seen everything. people who buy mustangs = people who cant afford the step up to a vette. -- Posted by IMPALA at 2:19 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette.     but beautiful car Chevy = / = Ford ?    Now I've seen everything. people who buy mustangs = people who cant afford the step up to a vette. You know how I know you're a fucking moron? -- Posted by studmuffn at 2:25 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:19 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette.     but beautiful car Chevy = / = Ford ?   Now I've seen everything.    people who buy mustangs = people who cant afford the step up to a vette. You know how I know you're a fucking moron? 2009 z06: about 75g's 2009 shelby gt500: about 50gs driving a vette on the highway in 2nd gear and watching middle class men in their mustangs: priceless -- Posted by FTF at 3:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Because every Corvette is a Z06? Dumb ass. Corvette's start at around $41,000. Same as the current Shelby GT-500. The GT500KR will set you back around $70,000, around the level of the Z06. Similar power ratings as well. The Z06 has 505HP, the GT500 has 500 (540 for the 2010 GT500 and the current GT500KR). -- Posted by Women are for sex at 9:38 am on Jan. 1, 2009 LMFAO @ "studmuffin's" car. -- Posted by IMPALA at 10:02 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:25 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:19 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette.         but beautiful car Chevy = / = Ford ?        Now I've seen everything.     people who buy mustangs = people who cant afford the step up to a vette. You know how I know you're a fucking moron? 2009 z06: about 75g's 2009 shelby gt500: about 50gs driving a vette on the highway in 2nd gear and watching middle class men in their mustangs: priceless polo shirt: $30 internet connection to be annoying on a teen forum: $200/yr being a faggot prep having a VW mommy bought for you: priceless -- Posted by emo sux69 at 6:32 pm on Jan. 1, 2009 Epic, Eric! haha. and btw I'm liking this, a mustang that can handle is something i thought would never happen. -- Posted by vampie888 at 1:21 am on Jan. 2, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette.   but beautiful car Chevy = / = Ford ?    Now I've seen everything. people who buy mustangs = people who cant afford the step up to a vette. Sorry not everyone has that kind of money to buy a vette. BUt a mustang will kick a vettes ass anyday -- Posted by emo sux69 at 1:30 am on Jan. 2, 2009 Quote: from vampie888 at 8:21 pm on Jan. 2, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:08 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from IMPALA at 5:07 am on Jan. 1, 2009 Quote: from studmuffn at 2:05 am on Jan. 1, 2009 poor man's corvette.       but beautiful car Chevy = / = Ford ?   Now I've seen everything.    people who buy mustangs = people who cant afford the step up to a vette. Sorry not everyone has that kind of money to buy a vette. BUt a mustang will kick a vettes ass anyday ZR1 = STFU -- Posted by FTF at 2:22 am on Jan. 2, 2009 I was not aware Luke could afford a ZR1. Or a Mustang. Or even own anything with more then six cylinders. -- Posted by emo sux69 at 2:30 am on Jan. 2, 2009 Quote: from Punkrocker 1992 at 9:22 pm on Jan. 2, 2009 I was not aware Luke could afford a ZR1. Or a Mustang. Or even own anything with more then six cylinders. I can afford alot more, its just im not allowed under law. -- Posted by FTF at 7:09 am on Jan. 2, 2009 Sucks for you. Living in Australia, which is like land of the V8, and you can't even own one. Might I add, there are no less then three V8 powered beasts in my yard right now. -- Posted by whrocky5092 at 9:21 am on Jan. 2, 2009 my heart stoppeed