Mustang gets snake-bitten

The cobra has coiled its way around a new, more powerful Mustang for 2010.

Ford has announced the 2010 Shelby GT500 ahead of the 2009 North American International Auto Show, and the automaker says it features a more powerful engine (in fact it's the most powerful SVT-tuned Mustang ever), more-refined interior, and a more responsive ride.

The crew at Shelby Automobiles aimed to make a vehicle that can take on the ever-increasing competition in the muscle car segment.

"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."

The question is - how? To start, the Shelby GT500's supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V8 engine is expected to produce 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque, both more than the outgoing model. To get the vehicle to a quick standstill, the GT500 uses larger discs on the 2010 model - 250 mm in diameter compared with 215 mm in diameter on the outgoing model - that are made of copper and fiberglass to make them more robust.

The six-speed manual transmission has a twin-disc clutch that Ford says improves driveability and noise, vibration and harshness. Though NVH has been improved, that's only to keep unwanted noise out of the cabin; in other words, the exhaust note and the supercharger can still be heard, but won't be overpowering.

"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 ... it’s a nice balance; one isn’t overpowering the other."

The fifth and sixth gears have been changed to improve fuel efficiency for those few times the driver just wants to cruise on the highway.

Chassis tuning has been improved as well, taking a note from last year's GT500KR, placing a greater emphasis on primary body control. The steering shaft has been stiffened, and spring and dampers are 'optimized for better roll control, giving customers more confidence when braking, accelerating or turning.'

The coupe rides on 19-inch tires and forged-aluminum wheels, while the convertible uses 18's. They help set the aggressive look of the GT500, which of course includes the signature cobra badges on the front grille (switched to the other side for 2010 to accomodate the cold-air intake) and front fenders. For those with a preference for the drop-top model, racing stripes are now available on the new convertibles.

Rounding out the exterior changes are a more aggressive front splitter and an integrated Gurney Flap on the rear spoiler to provide downforce.

The interior, meanwhile, gets several changes as well. Every seat uses real leather, the instrument panel uses real aluminum, and Alcantara inserts are used on the seats and steering wheel. The aluminum-finish panels use a 'three-dimensional dimpled texture pattern inspired by racing clutch plates'. The “GT500” logo has also been discretely engraved into the aluminum in front of the passenger as a nod to Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s.

The rings surrounding the gauge cluster in the GT500 will use a satin liquid chrome finish (a step up from the regular 2010 Mustang's chrome) and to remind those in the front seat what they're sitting in, a Shelby Cobra appears at startup on the navigation screen, whilethe familiar red “SVT” logo utilizes new ambient lighting to illuminate the door scuffplate.

A slew of options will be available on the Shelby GT500, including Ford's SYNC multimedia system, ambient lighting system, voice-activated navigation, and satellite radio.

In terms of safety, the GT500 will come standard with dual stage front air bags, side-impact air bags and Ford’s Personal Safety System. Though the GT500 uses Ford's stability control system, it can be turned off completely for those who want to put the vehicle through its paces on the track. Even when fully turned off, though, other safety systems still stay on, including anti-lock brakes.

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 will be built at the Auto Alliance International Plant in Flat Rock, Mich.