Press Release:

Neben dem Ford Mustang mit V6 und seinem V8-Bruder Mustang GT gibt es als Krönung der Baureihe den wilden Mustang Shelby GT500, der ab Werk mit 540 PS, einem aggressiven Blechkleid und der traditionellen Zwei-Streifen-Lackierung ausgestattet ist. Und wer sich an die amerikanische Rennlegende Carroll Shelby erinnert, der kann sich auch sofort vorstellen wie kompromisslos und puristisch der Shelby GT500 bereits im Serienzustand ist. Jetzt gebe man diese Fahrmaschine dem US-Car-Spezialisten Karl Geiger aus München in die Hände und siehe da, die aufgerichtete Kobra verwandelt sich in ein kaum zu bändigendes Monster!

810 PS, 945 Nm Drehmoment!

Wie gewohnt nahmen die Techniker von GeigerCars.de aus München eine Operation am offenen V8-Herz des amerikanischen Muscle-Cars vor, bei der wie üblich kein Stein auf dem anderen bliebt. Für mehr Druck spendierten sie dem 5,4-Liter-Aluminium-Block einen 3,3-Liter-Kompressor, der mit seinen 1,6 bar Ladedruck für mächtig Feuer im geschmiedeten Kurbeltrieb sorgt. Größere Drosselklappen, ein modifiziertes Einspritzsystem, ein 100-Millimeter-Luftmassenmesser sowie bearbeitete Zylinderköpfe sorgen zudem für ein Feintuning der inneren Organe. Zusätzliche Kühler für die Ladeluft, das Kühlwasser und das Motoröl sorgen dafür, dass der Achtzylinder trotz massiv erhöhter Leistung stets im perfekten Temperaturbereich arbeiten kann.

Dank der doch massiven Veränderungen entwickelt der Geiger-Mustang Shelby GT nun sagenhafte 810 PS bei 6.700 U/min, wobei das maximale Drehmoment von 945 Nm bei ca. 4.300 U/min an den verstärkten Differentialen zerrt. Natürlich musste bei so viel Drehmoment auch das Getriebe verstärkt werden, welches im selben Zug auch eine Verkürzung seines 5. und 6. Gangs erhielt. Eine 3-Scheiben-Carbon-Kupplung erzeugt eine ruckfreie Kraftübertragung. Für die artgerechte Entsorgung der Abgase sorgen ein spezieller Fächerkrümmer mit Rennsportkatalysatoren sowie eine maßgefertigte Sportauspuffanlage.

High-End-Fahrwerkstechnik

Damit so viel Leistung auch in Vortrieb umgesetzt werden kann, spendierte GeigerCars.de dem Shelby ein spezielles Rennsportfahrwerk, sowie einen Panhardstab aus Chrommolybdänstahl inklusive Polybuchsen an den Enden zum Ausgleich des Achsversatzes und neue, verstärkte sowie einstellbare Längslenker, für einen verbesserten Geradeauslauf der Hinterachse. Den wichtigen Kontakt zur Asphaltoberfläche übernehmen vier klassische OZ-Felgen in 8,5 und 10×20 Zoll, die dank Michelin-Hochleistungspneus in 245/35ZR20 und 285/30ZR20 für adäquate Gripverhältnisse sorgen. Verzögert wird die aufgerichtete Kobra mittels einer 6-Kolben-Hochleistungsbremse an der Vorderachse mit 380 Millimeter großen, gelochten oder wahlweise auch geschlitzten Bremsscheiben.

Vielleicht würde diese Mustang Shelby-Version auch der US-Rennlegende Carroll Shelby das Fürchten lehren!

Technische Daten

Motor: 5,4-Liter-Achtzylinder im V mit Modular-Kompressor, Ford GT-Aluminium-Motorblock, Zylinderköpfe bearbeitet, abgeändertes Einspritzsystem, größere Drosselklappe, Sportluftfilter, 100 mm Luftmassenmesser, Cold Air Box, Aluminium-Kipphebel, geschmiedeter Kurbeltrieb, 3-Scheiben-Carbon-Kupplung, verstärktes Getriebe mit verkürztem 5. und 6. Gang, verstärktes Differential, Motorölkühler, 3,3l Kompressor mit 1.6 bar Ladedruck

Leistung: 810 PS / 541 kW bei 6.700 U/min
max. Drehmoment: 945 Nm bei 4.300 U/min
Höchstgeschwindigkeit: 354 km/h
Rad/Reifen: OZ-Felgen, vorne in 8,5×20 mit 245/35ZR20, hinten in 10×20 mit 285/30ZR20
Bremsen: VA 380 mm geschlitzte Scheiben mit 6-Kolben-Bremssattel GT V6 Geiger, Stahlflexleitungen
Fahrwerk: Rennsportfahrwerk, Geiger-Panhardstab, verstärkter und einstellbarer Geiger-Längslenker

Alle weiteren Informationen sowie Preis- und Lieferinformationen gibt es direkt bei:
Geigercars.de GmbH
Truderinger Str. 265
81825 München
Tel.: 089 / 427 164 27
www.geigercars.de

Alongside the Ford Mustang V6 and its V8 brother Mustang GT there is the crowning glory of the series the wild Mustang Shelby GT500, which is equipped ex factory with 540 PS, an aggressive body and traditional double stripe paintwork. Anyone who remembers the American racing legend Carroll Shelby will be able to instantly imagine how uncompromising and purist the Shelby GT500 factory settings already are. The US car specialist Karl Geiger from Munich has now got its hands on this vehicle and take a look at how the upright Cobra has been transformed into an almost untameable monster!

810 PS, 945 Nm engine torque

As usual the engineers at GeigerCars.de from Munich operated on the open V8 heart of the American muscle car and in the process left no stone unturned. For more pressure they donated a 3.3 litre compressor to the 5.4 litre aluminium engine block which with its 1.6 bar supercharging pressure provides real fire in the forged crank drive. Larger throttle valves, a modified injection system, a 100 millimetre air flow meter and machined cylinder heads also guarantee that the inner organs are fine tuned. Additional coolers for charge air, coolant and engine oil ensure that the eight cylinder can always work at the perfect temperature range despite massively increased power.
Thanks to the massive changes the Geiger Mustang Shelby GT now generates a legendary 810 PS at 6,700 rpm, whereas the maximum engine torque of 945 Nm at approx. 4,300 rpm pulls on the increased differentials. Of course with so much engine torque the transmission also had to be reinforced and in the same step its 5th and 6th gears were shortened. A 3 disc carbon clutch produces smooth power transmission. A special manifold with racing catalytic converters and customised sport exhaust guarantee that exhaust gases are disposed of properly according to type.

High end chassis engineering

So that so much power can also be transformed in acceleration, GeigerCars.de fitted the Shelby with a special racing chassis as well as a Panhard rod made from chrome-moly steel including polyurethane bushes on the ends to balance the axial offset and new reinforced and adjustable trailing arms for improved rear axle directional stability. For the all-important contact to the asphalt surface four classic OZ alloy wheels in 8.5 and 10×20 inch guarantee adequate grip thanks to Michelin high performance tyres in 245/35ZR20 and 285/30ZR20. The upright Cobra is slowed down using 6 piston high performance brakes on the front axle with 380 millimetre large drilled or optionally slotted brake discs.

Perhaps this Mustang Shelby version would also put the fear of God into the US racing legend Carroll Shelby!

Geigercars.de GmbH
Truderinger Str. 265
81825 München
Tel.: 089 / 427 164 27
www.geigercars.de

[Source: GeigerCars.de]

PRESS RELEASE:
ON THE UP AND UP: 2010 FORD SHELBY GT500 DELIVERS BETTER PERFORMANCE, FUEL ECONOMY

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2009 – “Better” is the operative word when describing the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. Better horsepower. Better torque. Better handling. Better interior.

And, yes, better fuel economy.

“The 2010 Shelby GT500 picks up an additional 40 horsepower and 30 ft.-lb. of torque over the outgoing model, and has better fuel mileage as well,” said Kerry Baldori, chief functional engineer for Ford’s Special Vehicles Team. “That’s a huge win-win for our customers.”

Certification testing shows the 2010 Shelby GT500 improves 2 mpg in highway conditions compared to the outgoing model, with ratings of 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Changes to the top gears, which were made taller, are a key reason for the improvement.

Refinements to the supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter DOHC V-8 engine’s calibration and improvements to the cold-air intake system help increase the performance on the 2010 Shelby GT500. The engine calibration now features a dual-knock sensor system instead of a single-knock sensor, improving the efficiency of the engine by making better use of the fuel provided. The cold-air intake system makes sure cold air is directly fed to the engine under all circumstances, whether on the street or on the track, to give customers maximum power. The redline is 6,250 rpm.

“Where you really feel the new power and torque is mid-range,” said Baldori. “The new Shelby GT500 produces more torque than the outgoing model at 3,000 rpm and never looks back.”

Gains made on the special 40th anniversary edition Shelby GT500KR’s cold-air induction system are part of the 2010 Shelby GT500′s package as well. Attention was given to the hood blanket to form a tight seal in the area around the induction system and open air filter element.

The additional power in the 2010 Shelby GT500 is easier to handle thanks to improvements to the twin-disk clutch system on the 6-speed manual transmission. The twin disks are a larger diameter – up from 215 mm to 250 mm – are more robust and now made of copper and fiberglass.

“If you went with one disk, the torque output of the 2010 Shelby GT500 would require that disk to be very large,” said Baldori. “The twin-disk system allows us to get the required surface area in a smaller package. Having two disks also lowers the inertia compared with one large disk, which improves drivability.”

The intermediate disk, rather than floating, has six straps that control the engagement of the clutch, improving drivability, and a dampener reduces gear clash and gear rattle noises. The overall result is that clutch efforts are dramatically lower while clutch engagement is smoother.

“The ability to launch is much easier,” said John Pfeiffer, product development engineer. “You can jump in the 2010 Shelby GT500 and rip off 4.3 (0 to 60 mph times) without any practice, on your way to a 0-100 time of 9.4 seconds.”

When not on track, customers of the 2010 Shelby GT500 will benefit from improved highway fuel mileage after improvement to the six-speed gearbox. Fifth gear changes from .80 to .74 while sixth gear goes from .63 to .50. “Our final drive ratio went from 3.31 to 3.55,” said Pfeiffer. “That extra power, torque and gear ratio makes gears one through four more performance-oriented, while fifth and sixth gears gives you fuel economy.”

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s wholly owned automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

[Source: Ford/autoblog]

PRESS RELEASE:

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 16, 2009 – Ford Motor Company will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Mustang by auctioning the first retail 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and a pair of Mustang GT concept cars during the 7th Annual Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction on April 9-11, 2009. The three historic Mustangs will be sold for charity and are among 400-plus collector vehicles to be auctioned at No Reserve during the automotive lifestyle event at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. SPEED will provide live, high-definition TV coverage of the auction once again.

“It’s rare for a concept vehicle, especially one as iconic as the Ford Mustang, to be sold to the public,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Giving enthusiasts an opportunity to take home the ultimate keepsake is an admirable way to mark the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, which will be celebrated a few days after our event.”

All proceeds above MSRP from the sale of the Shelby GT500 will be donated to The Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation. The two Mustang concepts will be auctioned to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“During the last three years, Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised more than $2 million for charity through the auction of Ford vehicles,” noted Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company’s president, The Americas. “Ford and Barrett-Jackson will continue this important tradition at this year’s Palm Beach auction. The winning bidders for these fantastic Mustangs will be contributing to worthy causes while purchasing automotive history.”

The first 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 (Lot #665) is the latest in high-performance cars and features a color scheme and equipment personally chosen by Carroll Shelby. Clad in Kona Blue with white stripes, this GT500 has world-class handling, aggressive styling, and extreme levels of horsepower and torque that are unparalleled in its segment.

The two Mustang concepts on the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach docket debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and have traveled to more than 50 auto shows around the world. The fresh design foreshadowed a new direction for the 2005 model year that is still relevant in today’s Mustangs.

The Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept (Lot #655) features a distinct “showbar” with a rim of billet-aluminum trim picking up where the instrument panel and console trim leave off. The dazzling red car is pure muscle from its 20-inch wheels and cross-drilled Brembo brakes to the sharp accent line that runs the length of the body and culminates in a “C-scoop” behind the door cutline. The convertible’s interior, awash in supple red and charcoal leather, includes perforated surfaces on the seat backs, as well as a billet-aluminum shifter for the 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-point racing-style seatbelts and unique instrument gauges that resemble a fine watch with its face removed.

“This car began with a significantly modified Ford Thunderbird rear-wheel-drive architecture,” noted Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “The platform was sectioned to achieve the proper proportion and the front-end geometry is all original. This is truly a piece of history that represents the transition to an entirely new Mustang.”

The Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept (Lot #655.1) has a glass roof and lush red and charcoal leather interior accented by billet-aluminum hardware. Its upward rake angle makes the car appear to be in motion even while at a standstill. The styling matches its convertible sibling. The functional hood scoops help the supercharged engine breathe as it churns out nearly 400 horsepower.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Eventsâ„¢” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

[Source: Barrett-Jackson/autoblog]

[Source: idsketching/robjensendesign]

Photo copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. via autoblog
Leider wurde nichts aus der Versteigerung des ersten produzierten 2010 Shelby GT500, welche am diesen Wochenende stattfinden sollte. Nicht das es keine Käufer gab, nein, Carroll Shelby lässt es sich nehmen seinen Auktionen selbst zu “kontrollieren” und da er mit einer Erkältung im Bett liegt, fiel auch dessen Auktion aus und wurde für den nächsten Termin in Palm Beach im April, angekündigt! Da die Produktion des GT500 bereits in ein paar Wochen startet, kann sich der Bieter also nicht aussuchen wie er seinen GT500 haben möchte. Carroll Shelby sagte dazu, das es eine Überraschung sein wird und er sein bestes geben will. Wir werden es sehen.

2010 Shelby GT500 Description:

Since 2006, Ford Motor Company and Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction have offered bidders the first opportunity to purchase rare, high performance Ford products, while contributing to a worthy charity. This year in Scottsdale, the tradition continues as Ford and Barrett-Jackson will sell the first retail version of the new 2010 Shelby GT500. With world-class handling, aggressive styling, and 540 horsepower, the latest generation Shelby GT500 will deliver unparalleled performance. All proceeds from the sale of this vehicle will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Over the last three years Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised over $2.0 million dollars for charity through the auction of Ford Motor Company Products. The winning bidder will be given an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause while making automotive history.

[Source:autoblog]

PRESS RELEASE

2010 FORD SHELBY GT500 PACKS MORE POWERFUL PUNCH

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 1, 2009 – The new 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers the most power and refinement ever for a Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang – and a few surprises, too.

“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.”

Ford’s Special Vehicle Team used the gains made on the 40th anniversary edition Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustangs as the performance starting point and built from there. The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobras from the 1960s, takes those design cues even further with nuanced improvements in both the coupe and convertible, each of which boasts a more-refined interior.

“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.”

More horsepower, more refinement, more functionality
The combination of added horsepower, refinement and functionality makes the 2010 Shelby GT500 a unique high-performance car. The 2010 Shelby GT500 delivers more horsepower and more torque than the outgoing model, thanks in part to advancements pioneered on the GT500KR.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine expected to produce 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque. The redline is 6,250 rpm. The car’s aluminum power dome hood not only adds to the Shelby’s appearance, it helps cool the engine through a hood extractor.

The Shelby’s open-element air induction system features a conical air filter instead of a flat-panel closed system to reduce air restriction. This approach allows more air to be pumped through the engine, producing more power and increasing the engine’s efficiency.

A cold-air intake feeds the coolest air possible directly into the air box, helping further increase horsepower. The intake necessitated moving the Cobra snake badge to the other side of the grille to enable maximum airflow.

The twin-disc clutch on the six-speed manual transmission has been significantly upgraded, improving drivability and NVH. 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.

A unique component of the twin-disc system is the control of the intermediate disc. Rather than floating, it instead has six straps that control the engagement of the clutch, improving drivability.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 offers customers improved straight-line acceleration, plus fuel savings when cruising on the highway in the top gears. Gears 1-4 remain the same, but fifth gear changes from .80 to .74 while sixth gear goes from .63 to .50, meaning that the 2010 Shelby GT500 will turn lower engine RPMs in those gears and deliver improved fuel efficiency. The new final drive ratio, from 3.31 to 3.55, enables the improved acceleration in lower gears while complementing the revised fifth and sixth gear ratios.

The Shelby’s distinct sounds will be apparent as always, though with new refinements, thanks to the work of the Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) team. A patented resonator placed between the air filter and engine throttle body helps keep unwanted noise in check.

“You still hear the supercharger but not so that it’s intrusive,” said Kerry Baldori, chief functional engineer for SVT. “It’s the same with the exhaust. You want people to know you’re driving something special, but you don’t want an exhaust note that overpowers the whole interior.

“We spent a lot of time getting the right sound quality out of the exhaust so you get that nice, crisp Shelby sound outside and a pleasant sound inside the cabin. It’s a nice balance; one isn’t overpowering the other.”

Driving dynamics also are improved, thanks to SVT’s signature chassis tuning as well as new 19-inch Goodyear F1 Supercar tires and forged aluminum wheels on the 2010 Shelby GT500 coupe and 18s on the convertible.

Spring and dampers have been optimized for better roll control, giving customers more confidence when braking, accelerating or turning. The new chassis tuning takes its philosophy from the KR program, with a greater emphasis placed on primary body control.

The team also stiffened the steering shaft.

“All our changes were about making the car to respond as fast and as predictable as possible,” Hameedi said. “The 2010 Shelby GT500 conveys an athletic, confident feel. The shifter, clutch pedal, brake-pedal efforts and overall steering efforts are easier now. We wanted to make sure we had a nice, crisp short-throw shifter that was easy to go from gear to gear.”

The Goodyear F1 Supercar 19-inch tires have been upgraded, too. SVT members developed a “recipe” for the attributes and characteristics they wanted in the tire, which Goodyear’s team of engineers, designers and manufacturers brought to life. The result is better grip, better handling and better NVH properties, leading to a better customer experience.

The wheels themselves complement the high-performance nature of the 2010 Shelby GT500. The 19-inch wheels are forged aluminum wheels milled on both sides. The extra machining process creates “blade” spokes with very thin, yet strong, cross-sections. The spokes have a specific curve from the rim to the hub, not only for strength, but also to accentuate the offset and width of the tires.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 features AdvanceTrac, Ford’s stability control system with several options for performance. The default “on” mode accommodates every-day driving, and a Sport mode delivers for those wanting to put the Shelby GT500 through its paces on the track. The system also can be turned completely off, although the anti-lock brake system and other active safety systems remain in place. Standard safety equipment includes: dual stage front air bags, side-impact air bags and Ford’s Personal Safety System.

Numerous aerodynamic upgrades, including a redesigned splitter, were made to the front end of the 2010 Shelby GT500.

“We worked hard to get as much downforce with as little drag as possible,” Baldori said. “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.”

Directing the air so it’s used most efficiently was a painstaking process that ultimately will be rewarding to customers. The design of the front fascia and the car’s “flush” hood helps focus air flow. The top grille focuses air into the radiator, with a rubber flap inside the engine compartment helping to seal the system. The lower grille helps cool the intercooler. SVT engineers also went as far to block off specific diamonds in the front of the 2010 Shelby GT500′s distinctive grille to help maintain the correct cooling and aerodynamic balance.

A meaner, reskinned snake ready to take to the streets
The 2010 Shelby GT500 is the most-robust design and most-distinctive model of the new 2010 Mustang lineup. “The design we chose was a ‘flush’ hood where the fascia defines the entire front of the vehicle,” Hameedi said. “That’s very hard to execute from an engineering standpoint, but it really sets the Shelby off as very, very different from the base Mustang.”

“This epitomizes the ultimate Mustang,” added George Saridakis, Exterior Design manager of the Mustang and Shelby GT500. “It’s all about power and expressing power.”

Saridakis said his team took a cue from the Shelby AC Cobra 427 with respect to the front grilles, which are gaping and appear ready to swallow the road.

Another obvious difference for the Shelby is the addition of racing stripes, which also will now be available on the convertible. “Racing stripes made their mark on 1960s-era Ford performance vehicles,” Hameedi notes. “That’s something we feel is a key part of the Shelby performance DNA – maybe more so than some of our competition.”

Rounding out the Shelby’s exterior modifications are the unique signature coiled Cobra badges on the front grille and front fenders, a more aggressive front splitter and lower-drag rear spoiler, which added to improved aerodynamic features, round out the exterior modifications. “We wanted the spoiler raked back aggressively to minimize drag, but we also have an integrated Gurney Flap that provides the downforce,” Saridakis said.

What’s inside counts with the 2010 Shelby GT500
The base 2010 Mustang received a powerful new interior design. For the GT500, the interior design team members challenged themselves to raise the bar even higher to create the ultimate Shelby Mustang interior.

Using genuine materials such as real leather in all seats, real aluminum on the instrument panel and Alcantara inserts on the seats and steering wheel gave the appearance a precisely crafted, jewel-like yet functional feel. “You’ll definitely know you’re in a Shelby,” said Douglas Gaffka, Chief Designer, Shelby GT500.

The genuine aluminum finish panels have a unique-to-GT500 three-dimensional dimpled texture pattern inspired by racing clutch plates, braided hoses and cross-drilled racing brake rotors. The pattern has been painstakingly tuned to compensate for the compound curvature of the instrument panels. In addition, the “GT500″ logo has been discretely engraved into the aluminum in front of the passenger as a nod to classic Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s.

This unique aluminum finish panel is fully encapsulated by an exquisite soft seamless TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) instrument panel with a shape that resonates with Mustang’s powerful heritage. The center stack flows into the console and features a sub-flush shifter trim ring, flush cup holder door and lockable console stowage featuring the word “SHELBY” engraved in its Satin Liquid Chrome release button.

All 2010 Mustangs and Shelbys feature bright 360-degree rings surrounding the gauge cluster, uninterrupted by the steering column. These rings will come in chrome for the Mustang and a Satin Liquid Chrome finish for the GT500. This finish is featured throughout the interior. An intricate cobra is etched into the center of the aluminum steering wheel badge. The Shelby Cobra appears at startup on the navigation screen, and the familiar red “SVT” logo utilizes new ambient lighting to illuminate the door scuffplate.

“When customers drive this car, they’re not only going to be impressed by the performance and the Shelby heritage, but they’re going to see all these carefully designed details and know they’ve bought a well-crafted car,” Saridakis said.

Even the classic white shift knob – an icon of Shelby Mustang DNA from years past – received special attention. First, it had to be the traditional white. It also had to be specific to the Shelby. The answer was to combine the racing-stripes theme with the traditional “H” pattern found on shifters to create a one-of-a-kind knob. Like the exterior, the racing stripes wrap from end to end, encircling the knob.

Wide suite of standard features on the 2010 Shelby GT500
The 2010 Shelby GT500 includes several Ford innovations and industry-exclusive standard features, including:
SYNC: The voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities – plus new 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees.

911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators.

Vehicle Health Report (VHR): SYNC gathers relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and packages diagnostic data into a usable format in a matter of minutes. That data packet is sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer’s paired and operable mobile phone.

Ambient Lighting System with MyColorâ„¢ allows drivers to customize the interior lighting of the vehicle to suit their mood. The enhanced MyColor system features seven base colors – ice blue, purple, blue, orange, red, white and green. Customers also can create 125 custom colors by mixing the red-green-blue palette.

Available options:
Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Linkâ„¢ is an industry-leading technology that will provide users with a unique, information-rich in-car experience. The suite of data services includes up-to-the-minute real-time traffic data with accident and incident information for 78 markets, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts and fuel price information for more than 120,000 gas stations. SIRIUS Travel Link also offers sports scores and schedules and a listing of more than 4,500 movie theaters with movie times, theater addresses, movie synopses and more.

This combination of outstanding performance coupled with a fresh, exciting, well-crafted interior intensely focused on improving the entire experience will make the 2010 Shelby GT500 even more sought after, and a fitting addition to a long and proud history.

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.