The famous Cobra badge has returned on the latest generation Ford Mustang that was revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year. The new Shelby GT500 that will be available in both coupe and convertible versions will make its world debut at the Detroit show later this month with sales following in spring 2009. Upgrades over the standard Mustang include an aggressive bodykit, retuned sports suspension and of course, a more powerful 5.4-liter supercharged V8 that delivers 40HP more than before for a total output of 540HP and 510 foot-pounds of torque.
Ford also lamely supports that the new GT500 will "provide better highway fuel efficiency" - as if anyone who buys a 540HP supercharged muscle car cares about what he will pay at the gas pump...
Apart from the revised 5.4L V8, Ford engineers have also upgraded the twin-disc clutch on the six-speed manual transmission while the discs on the 2010 Shelby GT500 are larger – 250 mm in diameter compared with 215 mm in diameter on the outgoing model – and made of copper and fiberglass to make them more robust.
In terms of driving dynamics, spring and dampers have been optimized for better roll control while the coupe sits on new 19-inch Goodyear F1 Supercar tires and forged aluminum wheels ( 18s on the convertible).
"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."
