Autoblog

Choices: Nissan GT-R or Ford Mustang GT500?

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Ford, Nissan

Click above to read the rest of the post and vote in our poll

A few months back we were lucky enough to roll around in a 2010 Nissan GT-R. On our way up to a pre-burnt Angeles Crest Highway for the now infamous flip-flop-gate photoshoot, yours truly began explaining to our intrepid photographer Drew Phillips just exactly how Nissan's latest and greatest is faster than a speeding Gallardo, more powerful than a F430 and able to leap tall canyon roads without breaking a sweat. And on and on and on. When I finally shut up, Drew asked me, "Would you take a GT-R over a GT500?" Whoa...

Read the rest of the post and vote in our poll after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R

Gallery: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

Continue reading Choices: Nissan GT-R or Ford Mustang GT500?

Choices: Nissan GT-R or Ford Mustang GT500? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dyno Tested: 2010 Shelby GT500 lives up to 540 horsepower rating

Drew Phillips — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford

2010 Shelby GT500 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

We already know the 2010 Shelby GT500 is incredibly quick. In our initial performance test of the car, we ripped off a 12.9 second pass despite our lack of drag racing experience, a slippery track and a stiff headwind. With an experienced driver and prime conditions we have no doubt that Shelby's latest muscle car can break into the 11's. At the time, we thought to ourselves that the car's 540 horsepower number was probably underrated, and it turns out we were spot on.

While we haven't had the chance (yet) to strap a new GT500 to a dyno, 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords jumped at the chance as soon as they had one in their possession. The results didn't surprise us: 478.53 horsepower and 470.43 lb-ft torque at the rear wheels on a hot and muggy day in Florida. Much can be argued about exactly how much power is transferred from the flywheel to the back rubber, but the traditional calculation of a 15% loss puts the GT500 at over 560 bhp. Interestingly, it's still quite a bit less than the Shelby GT500KR that 5.0 tested last year despite the same official power rating. Even so, we're happy that Ford is now underrating their pony cars and preventing power-rating debacles like the one the SVT Cobra created back in 1999.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, Part 2

[Source: 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords]

Dyno Tested: 2010 Shelby GT500 lives up to 540 horsepower rating originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Shelby GT500 squeezes out an extra 2 MPG

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ford, Shelby

2010 Shelby GT500 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has managed to eke out an extra 2 miles per gallon on the highway from the heavily revised 2010 Shelby GT500, bringing its EPA estimated figures to 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Sure, it seems rather unlikely that buyers considering a muscle car will be all that concerned with fuel economy, but we'll take what we can get, especially since the fuel economy increase is accompanied by a bump up to 540 horsepower and a stump-pulling 510 lb-ft of torque. Plus, an increase in highway mileage means fewer stops on long trips, and that's always welcome in our book.

Now, all of this is fine and dandy, but we all know the real reason this car exists is to obliterate its tires on every 4.3-second blast to 60 mph. Fortunately for fans of ridiculous straight-line acceleration, the revisions that make the latest Shelby more fuel efficient also also end up contributing to its ability to accelerate. The biggest change that helps on the highway is numerically lower gearing in the transmission for the fifth and sixth cogs, which, combined with a 3.55:1 axle ratio, allows the baddest 'Stang to boast improved acceleration in the first four gears to go along with the lowered RPM highway drone made possible by the last two gears.

Ford also points to a refined air intake and a revised twin-disc clutch as reasons that the 2010 Shelby GT500 is a step above its predecessor, and we also took note of the vastly superior interior that's standard in all new Mustangs when we last looked at the GT500. Click here to read all about it, and click past the break for the mpg-touting press release.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Shelby GT500 Live

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 squeezes out an extra 2 MPG

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 squeezes out an extra 2 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson to auction first 2010 GT500, two concept Mustangs in Palm Beach

Drew Phillips — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Auctions, Ford

2003 Ford Mustang GT Concept - Click above for high-res gallery

Ahh, Barrett-Jackson. What would it be without a charity Mustang going up for auction? In the case of the upcoming event in Palm Beach in April, there will actually be three historic Mustangs going across the block with all proceeds being donated to worthy causes. First up is lot #665, the first retail 2010 Shelby GT500 that was initially supposed to be auctioned at the Scottsdale event back in January. The car comes in Kona Blue with white stripes, a color combination specifically chosen by Carroll Shelby.

2003 Ford Mustang Convertible Concept - Click above for high-res gallery

The real news, however, is the sale of two Mustang concepts that ushered in the current retro design of the S197 platform with their debut at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. As much as we like the styling of the production car, looking at the photos reminds us how much we loved the concepts even more. Each features a supercharged 400-horsepower V8, 5-speed transmission and Brembo brakes, although we doubt either can be registered for road use. The Mustang concepts are being sold as separate lots, but we'd hope that any potential buyers would bid on both to keep the cars together. More details about the cars and the Palm Beach auction in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2003 Ford Mustang GT and Convertible Concept

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson to auction first 2010 GT500, two concept Mustangs in Palm Beach

Barrett-Jackson to auction first 2010 GT500, two concept Mustangs in Palm Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gestation of a GT500: Lead designer shares early sketches

John Neff — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of early 2010 Shelby GT500 sketches

One of Ford's biggest buzz vehicles this auto show season has been the Mustang. From the debut of the redesigned 2010 model at the LA Auto Show last November to the reveal of the 2010 Shelby GT500 at the Detroit Auto Show last month, Ford has managed to steal back much of the muscle car spot light that's been occupied by the Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro for the last couple of years. The 540-hp Shelby GT500 is the new reigning king of production Mustangs, and one person more than any other is responsible for its visual transformation from family friendly Mustang GT to I'll-eat-your-children-without-chewing Shelby GT500. His name is Rob Jensen, and he earns points from this peanut gallery for keeping his own blog at RobJensenDesign.com. Jensen recently sat down with our friends at idsketching.com for an interview and revealed some salient details about the Mustang's design process, as well as offered advice for budding industrial designers. He also handed over a digital stack of early GT500 sketches that shows the design's gestation from a unique perspective. Check out the whole batch in our high-res gallery and let us know if you think that the GT500 unveiled in Detroit was the right one.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 design sketches

[Source: idsketching, robjensendesign]

Gestation of a GT500: Lead designer shares early sketches originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carroll Shelby catches a cold, first 2010 GT500 rescheduled for Palm Beach auction

Drew Phillips — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:14:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 at Barrett-Jackson

If you were watching the Barrett-Jackson auction on SPEED on Saturday evening, you might have noticed that a fairly important car wasn't shown crossing the block - the first retail production 2010 Shelby GT500. Did they auction the car off during a commercial? Nope, in fact the car wasn't auctioned at all. We, among many others, were disappointed not to see the car sell, especially with the first Camaro selling earlier in the evening. We asked around, and the official word from Barrett-Jackson is that Carroll Shelby caught a cold in the last few days and was unable to make it to Scottsdale. Since both Ford and Shelby wanted Carroll to be there when the car was auctioned off, the sale was rescheduled for the Palm Beach event in April. By that time production GT500s should be rolling off the assembly line, so instead of the winning bidder buying the rights to the first car, Carroll Shelby will pick out the options and colors and sell the actual vehicle. Will it be the same Grabber Blue with Red stripes like the car we saw in Detroit? Something tells us it will be something more conventional. Until then, get well Carroll!

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2009: First Retail Production 2010 Shelby GT500

Continue reading Carroll Shelby catches a cold, first 2010 GT500 rescheduled for Palm Beach auction

Carroll Shelby catches a cold, first 2010 GT500 rescheduled for Palm Beach auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: The 2010 Shelby GT500 LIVE! [w/VIDEO]

Alex Nunez — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Shelby

Click above for live, high-res shots of the 2010 Shelby GT500

After an extensive talk about the Ford's efficiency-focused future, in which we'll all be driving battery-powered vehicles with charging points at every parking space, President of the Americas Mark Fields, resplendent in his signature mullet, introduced the very now, very $1.50-gas-friendly 2010 Shelby GT500. The new snakes burbled to life backstage as the EV presentation came to an end -- almost in defiance of the shiny happy green talk. Thoughts of a lithium ion-utopia were vaporized when Fields theatrically announced the arrival of "the best Mustang ever." On cue, a Torch Red GT500 coupe with white stripes and a Grabber Blue GT500 ragtop with red stripes roared into the arena. Carroll Shelby emerged from the red car, the Shelby/Ford Mutual Admiration Society was called to order, and a big hug was exchanged between Fields and the living legend, who just turned 86. With the pleasantries out of the way, the GT500s left trails of rubber as they made way for the star of Ford's show. Check out our new gallery of live shots below, which includes the Grabber Blue and Red Stripe number above, a color combo that Carroll reportedly picked out himself.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Shelby GT500 Live

Gallery: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

Continue reading Detroit 2009: The 2010 Shelby GT500 LIVE! [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: The 2010 Shelby GT500 LIVE! [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 bites back

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Ford

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500

When Ford introduced the new 2010 Mustang at the LA Auto Show in November, marketing boss Jim Farley promised the next chapter in the Mustang story would be revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Well that time has arrived and to anyone who has been following the Mustang pattern over the last several years, it should come as no surprise that it's the Shelby GT500. Just like the last iteration, the new GT500 is the most powerful factory production Mustang ever.

Like the more prosaic Mustangs, the GT500 is mechanically an evolution of the older model. Just as Ford used the current-gen Bullitt model as the starting point for the 2010 Mustang GT, the lessons learned from developing the limited edition GT500 KR fed directly into the latest Shelby-badged variant. Output of the supercharged 5.4L V8 has now been cranked up to 540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, and the handling is claimed to be better than before. Check out everything that's new on the GT500 after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

Continue reading Detroit Preview: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 bites back

Detroit Preview: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 bites back originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First 2010 Shelby GT500 being auctioned at Barrett-Jackson

Drew Phillips — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Auctions, Ford, Shelby

As has become the tradition in recent years, Barrett-Jackson will be auctioning off various "firsts" of upcoming production cars. Last year, the very first Corvette ZR1, Dodge Challenger, and Shelby GT500KR all went across the block, and earlier this month it was announced that the first retail 2010 Camaro would be available to the highest bidder. Not to be outdone, Ford has announced that a trio of their new offerings will be up for auction, the highlights of which will be the very first 2010 Mustang GT and Shelby GT500. This announcement all but confirms that the car will make its debut a few days earlier in Detroit. Also up for grabs will be the first 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Proceeds for the auctions will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, providing more justification for collectors to bid on the vehicles.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang

[Source: Barrett-Jackson via MustangBlog.com]

First 2010 Shelby GT500 being auctioned at Barrett-Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 cometh, order guide leaked online

Drew Phillips — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:05:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Performance, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

At the 2010 Ford Mustang debut in Santa Monica, Mark Fields told us that the Blue Oval would reveal "another chapter in the Mustang story" at the Detroit Auto Show next month. If the camouflaged Shelbys running around Motown were anything to go by, the "next chapter" would come in the form of the new GT500. While Ford has yet to officially announce the car or when it will make its debut, a leaked order guide posted on MustangBlog.com confirms that the car will be produced as a 2010 model and reveals new details about the updated Shelby.

In addition to the new-for-2010 sheetmetal, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 benefits from a set of 19-inch wheels (the convertible gets new 18-inchers) and comes equipped with a new aluminum hood with a power dome and a single functional heat extractor. The supercharged 5.4L V8 remains, and although specific power output is not listed, the new model will offer "increased performance." A 3.55 axle ratio is now standard, and the suspension has been tuned by SVT. Inside, an optional Electronics package provides a voice-activated nav system and dual climate control. The leather seats will feature a stripe that color coordinates with the exterior stripes as well as Alcantera accents. New exterior colors will correspond with the standard 2010 Mustang and include Grabber Blue, Kona Blue, Sterling Grey, and more.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang GT500 Convertible - spy shots

[Source: MustangBlog]

Continue reading 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 cometh, order guide leaked online

2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 cometh, order guide leaked online originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 Shelby GT500 gets Jalop'd

Alex Nunez — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Ford, Shelby

Why wait for the Detroit Auto Show to see the 2010 Shelby GT500 when Ford's driving the thing around Detroit essentially undisguised? Jalopnik's Ben Wojdyla had the convertible version roll right up next to him at a stoplight in Royal Oak, which gave him the opening he needed to grab a bunch of good shots of the forthcoming snake. So, what's new? Well, obviously, the general 2010 Mustang cues all carry over to the range-topper, which also gets a good-looking set of alloys, huge grille openings up front, a heat extractor hood, and all the requisite badging. Ben says the GT500's gutsy exhaust note blended with a hint blower whine sounds as good as it did before. We're digging the black paint with Grabber Blue stripes, too. Ford drives the new GT500 onstage at Cobo in just over a month from now, and we'll be there, as usual. In the meantime, head over to Jalopnik for a full gallery showing the 2010 GT500 from a number of angles.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Spy Shots: 2010 Shelby GT500 gets Jalop'd originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2010 Shelby GT500 snapped again, more revealed

John Neff — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Ford

KGP photographers have caught another 2010 Shelby GT500 prototype just days after shooting the first one, but this time the prototype on display gave up much more info to the spy lens. In the gallery of 10 spy shots below, we can see a much clearer view of the next GT500's front fascia, including copious amounts of mesh for the grilles, as well as a pair of inboard, pie-shaped lights mounted on each side of the main grille. KGP spies also noticed that the wheels worn by this prototype sporting five split-spokes are new, and that the rear rubber appeared noticeably wider than the front. This car also sported a roll cage, which doesn't necessarily tell us anything, but the seats are some serious performance thrones from Sparco. Unfortunately, there's no telling from spy shots whether Ford is planning on using these Sparco EVO2 seats on the production model. Click the gallery below to check all the new shots and compare them to the first set of GT500 spy shots we published earlier this week.

Gallery: 2010 Shelby GT500 - spy shots II

Gallery: 2010 Shelby GT500 - spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Continue reading Spy Shots: 2010 Shelby GT500 snapped again, more revealed

Spy Shots: 2010 Shelby GT500 snapped again, more revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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