2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Delivers 2 MPG Increase in Fuel Economy

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 manages to deliver both increased performance and better fuel economy. Upgrades for the V-8 engine’s calibration and cold-air intake system bump up ratings to 540 hp and 510 pounds-feet of torque. That’s 40 hp and 30 pounds-feet of torque better than the previous model.

At the same time, gearbox refinements have helped the GT500 improve its EPA-rated fuel economy by 2 mpg on the highway, for a rating of 14/22 mpg city/highway.

While that’s pretty good mileage considering the power you’re getting, we’re going to go ahead and assume that anyone in the market for a GT500 won’t be super-concerned with a 2-mpg bump in fuel economy.

Of course, we don’t assume the same for the increase in horsepower and torque.

Up Close: 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

The biggest news concerning Ford's new Mustang Shelby GT500 is the prodigious 540 hp generated by its supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 — that's 40 hp more than the 2009 version — but the 2010 model also has a lot of subtle details on the exterior and interior that distinguish it from regular Mustangs.

2009 Detroit Auto Show: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500

• Competes with: Dodge Challenger SRT8
• Looks like: Ford isn’t about to give up on its Shelby models
• Drivetrain: 540-hp, supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 with six-speed manual transmission
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2009

The redesigned 2010 Ford Mustang debuted to the public in November at the Los Angeles auto show, and now the high-powered Shelby GT500 version is ready for Detroit’s big show next month.

The 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 gets the new sheet metal and interior treatment, like the regular Mustang, but its engine is similar to the last Shelby variant Ford put out, the GT500 KR; it has the same supercharged V-8 engine putting out 540 hp and 510 pounds-feet  of torque, with a similar suspension and brakes.The company says however, that it will be faster and more fuel efficient than before.

The other big difference is the look. Riding on standard 19-inch wheels with rubber-band-thin low-profile tires (the convertible gets 18s), the 2010 model is indeed menacing in appearance. A large hood vent works as a heat extractor for the monstrous engine, and it creates a different look from the outgoing version’s twin scoops. Like the regular Mustang, the headlights, grille and taillights are all redesigned for 2010. 

Convertible fans will be happy to know they can also get racing stripes this time around. Seriously — that’s one of the changes.

We could talk a lot more about the need for such a high-powered beast, but instead we’ll just ogle the pictures below.

One Mustang, One Color: 2008 Shelby GT Convertible Revealed

The specialty numbers coming from Carroll Shelby and Ford don’t seem to stop. The latest go-fast Mustang from the pair is the 2008 Shelby GT convertible that was officially announced this morning. It features the same guts as the current Shelby GT (not the GT500), producing 319 hp. The convertible also sports a solid roll bar and comes in one color: the Vista Blue scheme shown here with silver stripes.

The other news is that the Shelby GT coupes will also be available in only this color combination. The current black and white schemes were limited to the 2007 models. There were less than 6,000 2007 models built, and the 2008s will be even more limited, with a planned production of approximately 2,300. They are slated to go on sale in the fall. Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date, but expect coupe prices to remain similar to last year’s $36,970 figure.   

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Shelby Super Snake: Next Mustang Tops 600 Horsepower

Yes, you read that right. Ford is coming out with yet another specialized Mustang from Carroll Shelby, this one called the Super Snake. It will be street legal and sport a 600 hp engine that can be optioned out to up to 725 hp. Yes, 725 hp.

The 600 hp, 590 pounds-feet of torque version of the Super Snake package — it’s an option on the GT500 — version will be covered by warranty. The 725 hp version? Not so much. The Super Snakes will start terrorizing streets near you in late 2007, early 2008.

Let’s take stock of the current lineup of super special Mustangs that will all be on the market at the same time:

• Shelby GT with 319 hp
• Shelby Cobra GT500 with 500 hp
• Shelby GT500KR with 540 hp
• Shelby GT500 Super Snake with 600 to 725 hp

No pricing details have been announced on either the Super Snake or the GT500KR, which was introduced at the New York auto show earlier this month.

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New York Auto Show: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR (KickingTires)
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New York Auto Show: 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR

This is the first of three special edition Fords debuting at the New York Auto Show. Like the recent Shelby Mustangs, the Shelby GT500KR is a throwback to the musclecar ‘60s. KR stands for King of the Road and this new version of the classic certainly has the power to back up that claim. The vanilla GT500 had exactly 500 horsepower; the GT500KR will have 540 hp and 14 inch Brembo brakes to pull in the reigns.

Ford will only produce 1,000 of the new Shelby GT500KR coupes, so go put your order in now if you need to upgrade your GT500. Of course, you'll have a long wait. The GT500KR won't hit the streets until spring 2008. No prices have been announced, but we’d have to assume the GT500KR will be more than the GT500’s $40,930 price tag. 

More photos below.

Ford Puts a Price Tag on 2007 Shelby GT

We like Carroll Shelby and loved driving the new GT500; it’s an amazing machine with 500 hp for under $45,000. Then we heard a more mild-mannered Shelby GT was coming for 2007 and got even more excited, expecting it to be priced much closer to a regular Mustang GT – which starts at $27,995 for a leather-equipped coupe. There are only 25 additional horses under this new pony’s hood compared with that standard GT's 300 hp and of course lots of cosmetic and suspension upgrades, but we’re a bit surprised at the MSRP of $36,970. Compared to the GT500 coupe’s $42,975, it’s not a lot more to move up to GT500 and its additional 175 hp. However, it is a substantial bump from the well-equipped GT Premium package.

Ford says the numbers of the Shelby GT will be very limited — there will be fewer of them than the Shelby GT500 — so shoppers are actually buying more of the collectible rather than what’s underneath the skin, but they're not far off the going rate for gussied up Mustangs.

Aftermarket companies like Saleen have been building hot-rodded Mustangs for years and sell them through select Ford dealers. They don’t come cheap either, with a 345 hp version starting at more than $42,000. The Shelby GT isn't looking like so bad of a deal now, is it?

The Shelby GT will start arriving at dealers at the end of January.

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Ford Announces Mustang Shelby GT
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Weekend Getaway in the Ford Shelby GT500

Just moments ago I bade a fond farewell to my new friend, the 2007 Ford Mustang SVT Shelby GT500 Cobra. Having written its full name, I will now take a long nap. Or maybe I'll tell you about it first.

What exactly is this car? Is it a horse? A snake? An octogenarian? Mustang is the model, which isn't labeled on the car but is basically what it is. Cobra is the designation — along with SVT for Special Vehicle Team — long borne by ultimate versions of prior Mustang generations. Shelby is indeed an octogenarian car-development and racing legend who, after a lengthy hiatus, has once again lent his name and expertise to the Mustang. GT is the Mustang trim level on which this version builds, as well as the name of the supercar Ford probably wants to evoke. The 500 stands for the car's 500 horsepower.

Fortunately, you don't have to know any of this to drive the GT500. You just turn the key, hear the rumble and disappear in what is arguably the purest surviving example of American muscle-car glory. The past few days were my first living with the GT500 on real streets in real life rather than on a racetrack, and the car is definitely livable, though it also has some tradeoffs that weren't evident on the track.

More on the Ford Shelby GT

Ford has released more information and photos but still no hard price figures for the recently announced Shelby GT Mustang. The 325 hp special edition slots between the mass market Mustang GT and the more muscular 500 hp Shelby GT500. Unlike those models, it will only be sold as a coupe and in only two colors: Performance White or Black. Performance upgrades include a revised suspension, air intake and exhaust system. Cosmetic touches include large paint stripes, brushed aluminum grille, hood scoop and a custom interior.

The Shelby GT will be available for sale in early 2007. More photos below.

Ford Announces Mustang Shelby GT

Not to be confused with the more powerful Shelby GT500, the new Shelby GT will be a retail version of the GT-H rental racer that Hertz has been offering to customers. The retail Shelby GT will feature a 325 hp V8 engine — modified from the base Mustang GT’s 300 hp powerplant — a stylized grille, hoodscoop and various other performance and appearance accessories. It will come in only two colors, white or black.

No price has been announced but the Shelby GT will go on sale in January. We’d guess a price increase of $3,000 to $5,000 over the Mustang GT, which starts at $25,995. We like all the special editions Ford is offering on the Mustang as it harkens back to the golden age of muscle cars, although we wonder why they didn’t add 25 more horses and call it a GT350. Maybe that will be in store for 2008.