Ford Shelby GT500

Larger Exterior Photos: Front Rear

Having reviewed the previous version of the Shelby GT500 not that long ago, there’s no doubt, the 2010 ride is a different machine. For starters, Ford upped the car’s engine output to 540 hp and 510 ft.-lb of torque. That’s 40 extra horses to brag about. Then there’s the exterior which is based on that of the 2010 Ford Mustang. There’s no denying the car looks tough, from its aluminum power dome hood, complete with hood extractor, all the way down to its classic white shift knob complete with racing stripes.

Of course, die-hard Shelby enthusiasts will notice the Shelby snake emblem is now on the passenger side of the grille instead of the driver's side. Moving the emblem was implemented to improve air flow through the grille into the car’s cold-air intake system.

Best of all, Ford says the 2010 Shelby GT500 gets two more miles per gallon on the highway than the former car. The improvement in mileage is due to a new final drive ratio (From 3.31 to 3.55) which enables improved acceleration in lower gears while complementing the revised fifth and sixth gear ratios.

Behind the Wheel: And Upgraded GT Interior

2010 Shelby GT500 Ford Mustang

Larger Interior Photo

The interior of the 2010 GT500 feels like an upgraded version of the standard GT Mustang. The driver’s seat with power lumbar support is definitely more comfortable, and visually things are more appealing. For instance, my eyes were immediately drawn to the GT500’s leathers seats adorned with white racing stripes. This is a nice touch. Then there’s the obvious cue-ball style shifter knob along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel that features Alcantara suede inserts. To be honest, it took a while for my fingers to get used to this soft-touch fabric on the wheel. It’s a nice feature, but I’m not sure its place is in a “fearsome” Shelby GT500 Mustang.

My test car also included a built-in navigation system, My Color visual effects, and dual-climate control settings. A pretty nice feature is the Ford SVT (Special Vehicle Team) logo that appears on the instrumentation display. Never fear. If you change the My Color settings, the SVT emblem still remains red. Another nice touch is the GT500’s door sills which light up, thanks to ambient lighting, with an SVT script insert when you open and close the doors.

As for the rear seats, they are nicely appointed as well, although I wouldn’t put any of my friends back there for an extended period of time. And trunk space, well it’s still a Mustang which means space is minimal.

As for steering response, the car handles like a dream. I spent a full day tearing up the scenic back roads of Northern California and never once grew tired of the car’s responsiveness or handling abilities.

On the Road: This GT500 Has Table Manners

There’s no doubt about it, the GT500 can get up and go. This car was just as fast, if not faster, than the GT500 I tested last year. We’re talking 0-60 in an estimated 4.3 seconds and the ¼ mile in less than 13. There’s one big difference, however. If you’ve ridden in the last version of the GT500 (or watched Will Smith tear it up behind the wheel of the car in “I Am Legend”), you probably remember that ever-so sweet sound of the supercharger winding up when you stepped on the gas. Well, the supercharger is still there, but you don’t hear it in the 2010 car unless you really put your foot to the floor. For some this might be viewed as a godsend. For those of us who love Shelby Mustangs because of their rough/tough factor, this really takes things down a notch. I know, it’s not a big deal you say, but it is. If I plan to spend more than $40k on a Shelby Mustang, I want to hear rumble, and plenty of it! The 2010 GT500 is surprisingly refined and quiet inside. I think it would be fair to say the car has definitely acquired table manners since our last outing.

As for the clutch, the guys at SVT completely redesigned it for 2010. Remember the old GT500 clutch? Some might say it was a bit unforgiving. Well, the new GT500 clutch has a much lighter feel and is darn right manageable in almost any situation. In fact, most would be hard pressed to miss a gear in this car. This, combined with the short-throw shifter, makes for a great overall experience. My only complaint is the gearbox feels a bit too notchy at times, but believe me when I say this car was very easy to drive.

Journey's End: It Cleans Up Nicely, But You'd Better Watch Out

2010 Shelby GT500 Mustang

The 2010 Shelby GT500 Mustang is still a dream ride, and there’s no denying it’s a head turner wherever it goes. Heck, I’d love to own one. But the way I see it, the car has morphed into something new. It’s no longer the rumbling rocket ship of yesteryear. The car still rumbles thanks to its Tuned stainless steel X-pipe exhaust, and it’s faster than ever, but the GT500’s tough edge has been tamed a bit. I’d compare it to the rough and tough biker who folks say “cleans up real nicely”. He got a haircut and a shave, but don’t let that fool you. If you test him, he’ll still put you through a wall! The GT500 has been refined in many ways and it shows. But deep down the car is still a force to be reckoned with. For instance, on the race track, we were able to log ¼ mile times of around 12.6 seconds. Not bad for a factory ride.

Other notable features include Ford’s stability control system called AdvanceTrac. This saved me from spinning out on more than one occasion. Racing stripes on the convertible are a GT500 first, and Ford’s new Easy Fuel Capless Fuel Filler System makes filling up at the pump a lot quicker. The car will also be available in new colors. My advice; go with the Grabber Blue.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 will arrive at dealerships in the coming weeks with a price tag around $46,325.

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