With outstanding aggressive looks, a 540-hp 5.4L V8 and with no competitor in sight (Camaro Z28 has been delayed to 2011), the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 was bound to be a hot seller. Apparently production of the 2010 Shelby GT500 has been limited and dealers aren’t very pleased.

According to a dealer from Southeast, PA., Ford has announced a production cut on the model.

“Production cut on Shelby GT500. To date, 1,700 GT500s have not been scheduled and the plant only had the capacity to build 2,000 for the 2010 MY (model year),” the dealer writes over at TeamShelby. ”If you signed the agreement, you are guaranteed 1 Shelby GT500 for the model year.”

Dealers who already have two units of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 should consider themselves lucky because those who are awaiting their shipment will be limited to one or zero units.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: TeamShelby (via AutoBlog)

The next-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z28 won’t arrive until 2011 – some time after the convertible Camaro makes its debut. That will give the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 some time to eat up some of the high-performance muscle car segment. However, if you can’t wait until ‘some time after 2011,’ Hennessey is offering its HPE550 performance package for the Camaro that takes output up to 562-hp (the Camaro Z28 is rumored to get the 556-hp 6.2L LSA V8 supercharged engine from the Cadillac CTS-V).

The folks at Inside Line happened to have the new 2010 Shelby GT500 and Hennessey’s HPE550 on hand at the same time and decided to put the two high-performance muscle cars head-to-head.

You can check out a video of their test after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Inside Line

The Mustang’s favorite tuning firm Shelby Automobiles has unveiled its new Super Snake package for the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. The new Super Snake package, to be built in limited numbers, offers enhancements that gives the 2010 Shelby GT500 better handling, styling and higher output ranging from 630-hp to 725-hp.

The prices for the 630-hp package starts at $29,495 (not including the 2010 Shelby GT500) and $33,495 for the 725-hp package. Exclusivity of each unit will be assured as a limited number of Super Snakes will be built at the Shelby’s Las Vegas facility starting later this August.

Click through for the press release for full spec details and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake:

Press Release:

LAS VEGAS – June 26, 2009 – Continued demand for a “Super Snake” post title package has led Shelby Automobiles to unveil a new program to turn a limited number of 2010 Ford Shelby GT500s into Shelby super cars. The Super Snake package will include enhancements to the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500′s handling, styling and power; output ratings will range from 630 to over 725 horsepower. Exclusivity will be assured as a limited number of Super Snakes will be built at the Shelby Autos facility in Las Vegas or one of the Mod Shops, beginning in August 2009.

“We take great pride in engineering fast, fun cars that people love to drive,” said Carroll Shelby. “Over the past 12 months, my team of hot rodders was hard at work on a Super Snake package for the next generation GT500. Every lesson we learned kicking the competition around on the track over the past two years has been poured into this new car to keep Shelby owners out front.”

Born on the drag strip and road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ford Racing and Shelby Automobiles dialed in an even more aggressive suspension and engine package for the 2010 car.

“Since we introduced the Super Snake package for the GT500 in 2007, this Shelby has become the pinnacle of current generation muscle cars,” added Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles. “While the stock GT500 is a fine car, serious enthusiasts know that they can come to us to make their Shelby even better. For those who crave a harder edged Shelby, this is your car.”

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake post title package includes:
“¢ Ford Racing handling pack including Dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars, and front strut tower brace is standard for the Super Snake
“¢ Ford Racing Supercharger upgrade kit producing over 630 HP and 590 ft.-lbs. of torque
“¢ Borla exhaust system on the 630 HP Ford Racing Super Snake Package
“¢ 6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio
“¢ Either a Shelby/Ford Racing or Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger kit producing 725 HP with upgraded drive shaft, billet twin 75mm throttle body and exclusive badges
“¢ JBA exhaust system on the 725 HP Super Snake Package
“¢ An optional Shelby / Eibach handling pack is also available
“¢ Shelby-designed Alcoa 20-inch wheels
“¢ Short-throw shifter
“¢ Forged Shelby / Baer brakes with 6 piston calipers and cross drilled / vented rotors
“¢ Front brake cooling ducts
“¢ Unique fiberglass hood featuring classic Shelby design
“¢ Shelby signature Super Snake stripes
“¢ “Shelby” lettering across the rear decklid
“¢ “Super Snake” vehicle badges and official Shelby CSM interior plate
“¢ Shelby signature embroidered headrests, floor mats and other Shelby designed components

Customers interested in bringing their 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 to one of the Shelby Mod Shops for transformation should contact Roger Sorel with Shelby Automobiles at (702) 942-7325. The price of the 630 HP package is $29,495 and the 725 HP package is $33,495 including installation but not the car. Each vehicle will be listed in the official Shelby registry.

Complete Super Snake packages will only be available through Shelby Automobiles; some products comprising the package will be offered by Shelby Automobiles and Ford Racing later this year.

- By: Omar Rana

Our friends at Garage419 have just posted a teaser to their season finale episode which will include a review of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. Check out host Matt Farah doing the first burnout with the Ford Shelby GT500. The season finale will air April 30th.

Refresher: Powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8 that produces 540-hp and 510 lb-ft torque. Pricing starts at $46,325 for the coupe and $51,225 for the convertible.

Make the jump to see the video.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Garage419

While its Detroit rivals are on the verge of bankruptcy, FoMoCo is out flaunting the fuel-economy gains of the high-performance 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and the racing stripes which are available for the first time on the convertible model.

Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) helped deliver a more powerful 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 that makes a total of 540-hp with a maximum torque of 510 lb-ft. With the help of new gearbox enhancements and a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ration, the 2010 Shelby GT500 provides improved acceleration and a fuel-economy boost of 2 mpg over the outgoing model (or a total of 22 mpg).

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 goes on sale this spring with prices starting at $46,325 for the coupe and $51,225 for the convertible.

Click through for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500:

2010 FORD SHELBY GT500 PACKS MORE POWERFUL PUNCH, INCREASES HIGHWAY FUEL MILEAGE BY 2 MPG

2010 Ford Shelby GT500: Racing stripes are available for the first time on the convertible model of the 2010 Shelby GT500.

    – Ford”s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) delivers a more powerful 2010 Shelby GT500 with horsepower increased 540, torque increased to 510 ft.-lb., downforce increased and drag reduced

    – New gearbox enhancements, plus a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio, mean the 2010 Shelby GT500 will deliver improved acceleration performance, while providing better highway fuel efficiency ““ up 2 mpg compared with the outgoing model

    – Aggressive new exterior design features new functional details, such as the hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear downforce; world-class materials and craftsmanship create the most unique GT500 interior yet

    – 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms this spring

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 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 new 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, it”s also two miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway.”

“We”re proud of the many enhancements jointly developed by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team that we”ve incorporated into the new model,” 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 Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustang as the performance starting point and built from there. The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobra 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 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. This 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. It 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 that produces 540 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 510 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,500 rpm. 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, moving 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,” said Baldori.

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.

Springs 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 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.

The team worked hard to get as much downforce with as little drag as possible, said Baldori. They worked to seal off the air that comes in the front so it can”t go under the car. A lot of time also was spent sealing components such as the radiator and intercooler to get rid of all leak paths. The result is an increased downforce, reduced drag and improved overall efficiency of the vehicle.

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 Mustang lineup. “The design we chose was a “˜flush” hood where the fascia defines the entire front of the vehicle,” said Hameedi. “That”s very hard to execute from an engineering standpoint, but it really sets the Shelby off as 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 noted. “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. The spoiler is raked back aggressively to minimize drag, while an integrated Gurney Flap provides the downforce.

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® suede inserts on the seats and steering wheel gave the appearance a precisely crafted, jewel-like yet functional feel. Customers can select racing stripes on the seats that match the exterior stripes.

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 MyColor™ 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 Link™ is an industry-leading technology that provides users 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.

- By: Kap Shah

Ford will be celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Mustang by auctioning the first 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 along with a pair of Mustang GT concepts at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Collector Car Auction on April 9.

All the money that the cars bring in above the MSRP will be donated to The Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation which will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The two Mustang concepts joining the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 will be the Redline Red Metallic Ford Mustang GT convertible concept and Tungsten Silver Ford Mustang GT coupe concept. Both made their debut at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.

Click through for the press release for more details.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500:

Press Release:

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.

• “¢  2010 Ford Shelby GT500: Ford kicks off the new year with a bang.
• “¢  Supercharged 5.4L V8 produces 540-hp and 510 lb-ft torque.
• “¢  Twin-disc clutch 6-speed manual has been upgraded.
• “¢  Will be in dealerships in spring 2009.

Happy New Year - what a way to kick off 2009. Ford has just dropped all the details on the brand spankin’ new 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 and this time Ford’s Special Vehicle Team delivers more power, more torque and better performance in a more refined package.

Using the already aggressive design of the 2010 Ford Mustang, Ford has made numerous aerodynamic upgrades including a new front end that optimizes air flow along with a new lower-drag rear spoiler. Ford has also added racing stripes this year on both the coupe and convertible models. Of course, Shelby’s exterior modifications are rounded off with the signature Cobra badges on the front grille and front fenders.

Follow the jump to read more and to view the high-resolution image gallery.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500:

The inside of the 2010 Shelby GT500 upgrades the new interior design of the 2010 Mustang with two-tone genuine leather seats, aluminum trims on the instrument panel and Alcantara inserts on the seats and steering wheel (which this year gets an aluminum GT500 logo engraved into the center). Other interior goodies include the bright 360-degree rings surrounding the gauge cluster (seen on the 2010 Mustang) finished in Satin Liquid Chrome, a Shelby Cobra in the startup on the navigation screen, a red “SVT” logo with new ambient lighting and the classic white shift knob.

Ford says that the SVT 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 Shelby GT500KR’s 540-hp supercharged 5.4L V8 was thrown in the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. However, the aggressive new exterior design enhances performance through a new power doom hood that helps cool the engine through a hood extractor to remove heat from the engine and a “Gurney Flap” spoiler to tune rear downforce. Shelby’s open-element air induction system features a conical air filter instead of a flat-panel closed system. Working along with a cold-air intake, that allows the 2010 Shelby GT500 to produce more power and increase the engine’s efficiency. Acceleration is improved with upgrades to the twin-disc clutch on the 6-speed manual transmission – which are now larger and are made of copper and fiberglass. Driving dynamics have been further enhanced with SVT’s chassis tuning, optimized spring and dampers and a stiffened steering shaft. The AdvanceTrac feature allows the driver with several performance options. The “on” mode helps with ever-day normal driving while “Sport” mode lets drivers loosen-up on the track.

Of course, when you buy a car like the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, sound matters. While you may want people to know that you’re driving something powerful, you don’t want that noise filtering into the interior. The Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) team used a patented resonator placed between the air filter and engine throttle body that helps keep noise out of the interior.

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 coupe rides on new 19-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear F1 Supercar tires while the convertible sits on 18s. The 2010 Shelby GT500 will hit dealers later this spring. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Standard features on the 2010 Shelby GT500 include:

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 MyColor™ 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 include:
Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link™ 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.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500: