Shelby Convertible

The Power Behind the 2010 Ford Shelby Gt500

For the past forty-five years, the Ford Mustang has served as the best example of what a pony car is – a two door coupe with a powerful engine, sport handling, and a look that is second to none. Come this Spring, the next generation Mustang will be revealed, a 2010 model.

Because the Mustang is so popular, many aftermarket companies have customized the car, some with the Ford Motor Company's blessings. Among those companies are Saleen as well Shelby, the latter developed by race car icon Carroll Shelby.

Ford's Special Vehicle Team has been hard at work on developing its own version of the Mustang, one that is called the Shelby GT500. Soon after the Mustang hits Ford showrooms this Spring, the Shelby will also be made available, becoming one of the most powerful Fords of all time.

"The 2010 Shelby GT500 demonstrates Ford's continuing commitment to high-performance vehicles," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "In addition to the numerous performance and refinement improvements inside and out, the 2010 Shelby GT500 is an estimated 2 miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway."

"We're proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we've now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive."

Like the most current iteration of the Mustang, the all new Shelby will draw upon the hot Shelby cars of the 1960s. Those historic styling cues will be found on both models, consisting of a coupe and a convertible.

"Working together on the KR, the Ford and Shelby teams developed new systems to continually improve the iconic Mustang," stated Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. "Those lessons learned are incorporated into the 2010 Shelby GT500. This approach will help maintain Mustang's leadership position at the front of the pack and make the ownership experience even more enjoyable."

"The muscle car segment is becoming even more competitive," said Jamal Hameedi, chief nameplate engineer for SVT. "We need to uphold the Mustang badge with honor, the Shelby badge with honor and most importantly the Ford badge with honor. The 2010 GT500 is the car that will do all of that."

Powering the road beauty is a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine which is expected to produce 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque. The redline for that model is 6,250 rpm. Featuring an aluminum power dome hood for appearance, it'll also help cool the engine through a hood extractor.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms in spring. The cars will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.

About the Author

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary, North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Acura Legend wheels and Acura RDX wheels.