German Car Zone

More than just a musclecar, the new Shelby GT500 has found some new manners.


Sonoma, California — The acrid smell of tire smoke fills my nostrils. Minute shreds of asphalt mix with vaporized custom Goodyear rubber as Shelby's 2010 GT500 effortlessly overpowers their futile hold on each other. I've been told that 3rd gear burnouts are the best. I would have to agree.

The 540 horsepower from the hand-built 5.4-liter supercharged dohc 32-valve V-8 has been put to good use in this pony. It's a superb improvement over the previous car in that it does more than go fast in a straight line. Using much of what was learned in the GT500KR, King of the Road, development has resulted in a GT500 that can really turn a fast lap.

Engine and suspension modifications are very similar to what was done for the GT500KR. Helping to squeeze out that extra 40 horsepower is a new intake snorkel. It now draws air from the driver's side of the nose, which means the cobra emblem is now on the other side of the grille. Extra attention was given to steering feel and precision. The work has paid off. The breakaway character of the car at the limit is easily predicted from the driver's seat. The communicative steering benefits from stiffer couplings and well tuned front-suspension geometry. The result is a car that likes to linger at the limit, but can be gently pushed into a graceful powerslide.


Road and Track - Driving Impression: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500


M

Still rigid rear axle! For F*ck's Sake, we are in 2009! It just isn't right, not to have a proper suspension...

Looks mean though..