2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang New Orleans LA
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2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang
2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
DriverSide Overview
The 500 Club: An elite group of sports cars that meet and exceed the 500 horsepower barrier. These expensive power junkies squeeze everything they can out of their engines, with turbochargers and superchargers pushing air around more effectively than Lance Armstrong's lungs. The Ford Mustang GT500 is the only muscle car to make it into that exclusive society, and it’s been generally known more for its straight-line enthusiasm than cornering abilities, with drivability being stymied by sub-par handling. However, that’s all about to change with the 2010 model. For the next-generation Shelby GT500 Mustang – their top-of-the-line pony – the horses have reared their heads for another 40 hp to bring the official tally to 540. With great power must come great handling, so dramatic modifications to the chassis have ensured that the level of performance matches the Shelby renown, a great relief to those who want to stretch their car’s legs on winding roads. And unlike so many of the 500 Club members, the Mustang’s $46k price tag is within reach of us peons. That’s what American muscle is all about.
What's to Like
The new suspension and steering mean the Mustang’s handling no longer resembles a hog’s trajectory through a mud hole. A new clutch system has lightened the clutch considerably; it’s easier to meet the higher engagement point. Cosmetically, there have been significant improvements to the interior. And did we mention the extra horsepower?
What's Not to Like
Convertible buyers have to make do with 2007’s suspension and steering – the car’s weakest points. Seats are still missing the grip and hold that you really need when power sliding in a 540 hp muscle car and the quality isn’t all that either. Polka-dotted aluminum dash coloring looks like it should be on an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini, not a Mustang.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
When you have Shelby on your side, anything’s possible; especially updating the biggest drag of the ’07 model – the handling – in order to deliver the massive amount of power through a grounded and competent chassis. The 2010 Mustang sees firmer damping and stiffened spring rates, which reduce pitch and roll. No more nose diving at red lights. Dropping the clutch and going full on the throttle will produce the sweet sound of an American V-8 all the way to the 6,250 rpm redline, punctuated only by the entrance of the supercharger’s high-pitched whine. The 5.4-liter engine delivers immediate punch, and revised gear ratios can see you hitting triple digits in third while fifth and sixth have been lengthened for better fuel economy. Three modes, Sport, Traction Control On and Traction Control Off leave driftability in the hands of the driver, though Sport does ...