Car of the Day: Shelby GT500

Submitted by Kirk Pedersen on Tue, 2009-11-10 13:35

Brought back one year after the 'retro' Ford Mustang was introduced in 2005, the Shelby GT500 takes the Mustang GT and turns it on its ear, with only the best parts surviving.

For 2010, the GT500 got a facelift along with the base Mustang, further modernizing Carroll Shelby's legendary personal hot rods.

Developed alongside Ford's SVT (Special Vehicle Team) performance arm, the 2010 GT500 gains 40 ponies, bringing its total horsepower to a potent 540, as well as 20 more lb/ft. of torque, increasing that number to 510.

The supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter V8 emits the strong, familiar growl Shelby enthusiasts have been enthralled with for the past 40 years.

With the addition of a 'gurney flap' spoiler, rear downforce has been increased and drag reduced in the 2010 GT500.

Ford also claims the car is more fuel efficient than the previous generation of GT500, but if you've got the cash to procure one of these beauties, wiping the grin off your face is a bigger concern than keeping the tank full of gas.