Ford unveils 2010 Shelby GT500 - Revamp seen as sign of progress - photos at link

[Bozita]

Ford unveils 2010 Shelby GT500
Revamp seen as sign of progress
BY BRENT SNAVELY • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • JANUARY 1, 2009
Read Comments(51) Recommend(12)Print this pageE-mail this articleShare this article:

Ford Motor Co. is showing the world that it's capable of investing in high-end performance -- at a time when competitors are cutting back -- with the introduction of its redesigned 2010 Shelby GT500.

While Ford released photographs of the new vehicle to the public today, the sports car is to be on display at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which begins Jan. 11.

With an eye-popping 540 horsepower, the new Shelby GT500 is the top-of-the-line model in Ford's Mustang family. It's what industry experts call a halo vehicle, meaning it generates attention that translates into sales of the manufacturers' less-expensive models, as well as overall respect for the brand and company.

In addition to increased horsepower, the new vehicle also features an aggressive new exterior design, as well as a variety of performance improvements.

"The ability to produce a niche vehicle is almost a statement to the rest of the world saying, 'We can do this. We are not chopping models. We are creating models,' " said Karl Brauer, editor in chief at Edmunds.com.

more...

http://www.freep.com/article/20090101/BUSINESS06/901010379

[NYC_SKP]

1. Ford is unbelievably full of FAIL!!!

That's not progress, that's stuck in the past thinking going back to the 50's with their "concept cars" bullshit.

What worked in the 60's and 70's when petroleum was cheap and seen as plentiful will NOT work now, not anymore.

540 Horsepower?

Not many will want it, need it, or have the $80,000 plus to spend on it.

Ford sucks.

[physioex]

3. LOL Yep...

The funny thing is you can buy a Subarun WRX for a fraction of the cost and equivalent performace. OK maybe not exact same but how would the average driver notice or care? Also I am seeing a trend that electric cars are out performing their gasoline counterparts in acceleration and handling.

[MercutioATC]

4. This is one of their decent ideas.

There IS a market for these cars. What makes you think it's going to be $80k+? Probably high $40's to mid $50's.

[physioex]

6. Nope....

Actually the same Detroit mentality. They didn't learn their lessons with the SUVs while their Japanese counterparts were developing Hybrids, and they won't now.

[MercutioATC]

14. "Car club" cars are different. There is a huge Mustang following.

I think it's important to keep domestic cars like the Mustang and the Corvette on the cutting edge. If Ford and GM don't, they'll lose a large base of loyal customers.

[man4allcats]

32. Wow! THAT'S a Machine!

Practicality aside, I could never afford one, but I'd love to take one out for a spin. With a little luck, I might even get it and myself back in one piece. It puts me in mind of the Dodge Viper. I remember when the Viper first came out. I once heard it described as a car for rich guys with a death wish. B-)

[foxer]

57. I heard 19% of Vipers don't make it home from the dealer

[man4allcats]

68. I wouldn't doubt it.

Not that I'm about to rush out and buy one (still haven't managed to win the lottery), but I was reviewing the specs just for fun. They didn't have ABS when they first came out, and if I read the spec sheet correctly, they still don't. It's been said that the thinking is if you're crazy enough to drive one of those things, you're not worried about getting killed.

[madokie]

54. sure it is

but iggets can't see that though.

[krispos42]

27. Ford was making 10 grand per Explorer a decade or so ago

And they were selling 300,000 a year. That's the lesson they learned.

For the northern half the country, the part that gets snowed on, there were a lot of people looking for a family vehicle with 4-wheel-drive and extra ground clearance.


Or did you not notice that the Japanese automakers have jumped onto the large, gas-guzzling SUV bandwagon as well? Take a gander at the Nissan Armada or Toyota Land Cruiser one day.




Lets face the honest truth here; if Explorers ran on tapwater then damn few outside of congested urban areas would own a Prius, or a Yaris, or a Fit, or a Focus.




The SUV explosion is the exact reason that we need government regulation to fix a problem before the market has to. Because if the market has to fix a problem, then it's going to be extremely painful and will depress the economy.

If Congress had kept ramping up the CAFE standards we would already be at 35 mpg and I guarentee you that the Big Three would have lots of 100# electrics running around to counterbalance high-profit SUVs.

[NYC_SKP]

7. $80,510 for the GT500KR, from the article.

From the article linked in the OP, true that the non KR model is under 50K:

"Currently, Ford sells 14 versions of the Mustang, ranging from the Mustang V6, which starts at $20,430, to the Shelby GT500KR for $80,510.
Ford has not released a price for the 2010 Shelby GT500, but the current Shelby GT500 sells for $43,125."

While there is a market for these, it's a bit of a narrow one.

I just don't see the word "progress" as applicable to the article, and I think a line of high efficiency, light, utilitarian comfortable vehicles is what would be progressive and would pull them out of the slump they're in due to pushing SUVs and light trucks, (along with everyone else in Detroit).

[MercutioATC]

12. Right, but this isn't a KR...

...I think the price will be closer to the 2008 GT500.

That said, I believe Ford's most loyal buyers are the "car club" people. They NEED to keep making competitive Mustangs to keep these people coming back.

[flvegan]

18. The 540 hp model is the KR (King of the Road)

The regular GT500 will probably be much like the 08, but the KR is the biggest dog on the farm.

I agree, though. Ford, like Chevy, needs to keep building these outrageous cars.

[Tighelander]

20. Biggest Dog?

Do they still make that monster that sells for $200,000?

[flvegan]

24. The Ford GT? No.

Production ended in 06 or 07.

on edit: Welcome to DU!

[Occulus]

34. I could buy a HOUSE for LESS

WTF.

No, seriously. What. The. FUCK.

[MercutioATC]

59. And you could pay twice as much for a bracelet. So what?

Cars like this aren't simply transportation, they're art.

Some people like diamonds, some like cars, some like big bank accounts. If somebody has the money, there's nothing wrong with spending it on things they enjoy.

[TommyO]

65. Don't forget that Ford just got the EPA numbers for the Fusion Hybrid

and it blows away the Camry hybrid's city mileage, getting 41mpg vs the Camry's 33mpg, and gets 36mpg on the highway vs the Camry's 34mpg.

The Mustang Shelby GT500 is a low volume car, while the Fusion hybrid is aimed right at the mainstream part of the midsize market.

[blendermax]

38. Ford stands for Found On Road Dead

That's what my instructor always referred to the Fords we worked on in a auto repair class I took last semester in Los Angeles.

[MindPilot]

69. Wow. How original.

[L0oniX]

75. Fix Or Repair Daily

[Initech]

45. 540 HP doesn't mean jack shit when you're stuck in 5 MPH traffic.

[DainBramaged]

48. Right, like you cornered the market on "I dictate what people drive"

You simple petty people. You'll never understand that SOME OF US are not lemmings.

[madokie]

55. If I could afford it I would buy one in a heartbeat

and not in a chevy heartbeat either:-). The operative word though is afford which I can't.

[Gregorian]

2. We're not rearranging Titanic deck chairs, we're painting them too.

What the hell is going on here? Do people not recognize that our planet is melting?

Mercedes has a car out that has 670 horsepower.

Even the electric Tesla is insane.

It's like we're burning the candle at both ends.

[physioex]

5. Actually the Tesla is a pretty fair car...

It shows a small company can build an electric performace car that can outperform extoic and more expensive gasoline counterparts.

[Gregorian]

78. I know someone who has driven one.

This person, who is a forum member, says he has a Porsche Carrera GT. You know. A V10.

And he says the Tesla is INSANELY fast.

I'd buy one in an instant, but I don't have a hundred grand to buy one.

I'm dying for an electric car. But it's how we generate the electricity that is the true problem right now. Electric cars have existed in all of their sophistication for years.

Anyways, you knew all of that.

[flvegan]

80. Top Gear had a Tesla roadster on a couple weeks ago. (spoiler alert)

They raced a Lotus Elise both in a straight line and around the track. The Lotus is well known not only for it's power but it's superior handling (Top Gear had one on that out-maneuvered an Apache helicopter).

The Tesla made quick work of the Lotus in both races.

[Gregorian]

81. The reason being- 100% torque at 0 rpm.

And when Americans realize this, electric cars will be all the rage.

But still, it's producing the electricity that is the big hurdle.

Yeah, I missed that Top Gear. Waaaaah. I have a love/hate relationship with the automobile.

[flvegan]

82. They haven't played Season 12 in the States yet

So you'll get to see it sooner (torrent) or later (BBCAmerica). The Tesla test is during Season 12.

For the record, Clarkson really liked the Tesla. He complained that in the corners, the Lotus will overtake you, but once you hit a straight the Tesla was long gone. The torque is phenomenal.

[NYC_SKP]

11. I attended two ACEEE-BECC conferences on climate change

One of the more enlightening presentations dealt with how automotive technology has been squandered on HP instead of fuel economy.

Nobody, and I mean no body, needs more than 150 horsepower or so for a midsized vehicle.

Safety, courtesy, and the environment demand it.

:shrug: OK, all you boat towers and soccer moms can now chime in with your sorry rationalizations.... :eyes:

[spag68]

23. Horse power

I agree, 150HP is about right for any motorcycle I plan to ride.

[ceveritt]

29. 150HP

I agree with you almost completely.

I say almost, because 2008 liter bikes make a little more than 150, depending on the dyno.

You sound like an interesting person. Here's hoping you get a GSX-R1000, R1, CBR1000RR or a Z-10 this year; that is, if you don't already have one. If that's the case, then I hope you get two. Maybe then you could give me one.

And I'm not being sarcastic.

[madokie]

56. Well In that case

Welcome to DU:hi:

[ceveritt]

97. Thank you,

Madokie, for the welcome.

Much obliged.

[EOTE]

71. It's amazing the rush that 150hp gives you...

when it's strapped to 500 lbs of rider and bike :) For my 2800lb coupe, 150 simply wouldn't suffice.

[MineralMan]

58. Boat towers?

Heck, I tow my fishing boat behind a 1991 Volvo 740 wagon. Works great. In fact, I bought a small fishing boat so I could tow it behind anything I might drive. A guy doesn't always need a huge boat with a huge engine to catch fish.

[NYC_SKP]

67. There ya go!

I bought a 16 foot pedal powered catamaran, a SeaCycle, and taken apart moved it from the dealer to my house.

In the back of my old 2001 V40 wagon.

Viva la Volvo wagons!

[lumberjack_jeff]

64. Do tractor-towers count? n/t

[TommyO]

66. Thank you for dictating what everybody needs

safety and courtesy are up to the driver, and today's engines, regardless of whether they produce 90 horsepower or 500 horsepower are significantly cleaner than anything produced just a few decades ago.

[MindPilot]

70. Who died and made you boss of everything?

[SoCalDem]

43. and measuring them for custom upholstery..not even waterproof upholstery..

Our "problem" is that we MUST get 20 years' worth of OLD cars off the road, and get them replaced with fuel-efficient cars....BUT

until the people who are DRIVING those old cars can AFFORD a newer one, they will continue to drive the older more-likely-to-pollute cars..and they will be replacing them with less-old older cars when they do break down..

MOST PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR..no matter how much they WANT one..

If your job is tenuous, and you can barely afford your rent/mortgage..and you have little or no medical coverage for your family..you will NOT be eager to sign up for 6-7 YEARS of car payments..

If car makers could be "required" to make a "people's car" that most could afford, and require an OLD "working" car as a trade-in, they could start to turn it around...but they won;t.. They will continue to make the chi-chi high-end cars for rich folks, and the other cars will remain "just out of reach" for most...and the business model will not sustain the business for long..

[flvegan]

8. It's a halo vehicle, of which they're only building 1,000.

At $80k, no thanks, but to each his/her own.

[blendermax]

40. It might be a halo vehicle

but at the same time I think it sends a terrible message which signals that Ford has little or no intention of changing its ways or its image as a car company.

[flvegan]

44. What image is that, specifically?

[lithiumbomb]

47. seriously?

They're bringing over a whole fleet of the European fords in the next couple of years, including the Fiesta, and have just introduced the well regarded Ford Fusion Hybrid. Do those also show that they have no intention of changing their ways as a car company?

All of the major car companies that sell in the US are in a wide array of segments, from subcompacts to family cars to trucks to SUVs to sports cars. Where is the hate for Nissan and their GT-R? Or the hate for Toyota for their upcoming Lexus LF-A?

A Halo Car gets someone into the showroom so that they can drive out in a new Ford Focus.

[blendermax]

53. Building a true 'halo' car

...is more or less a technological exercise for the company's engineers. Some of the lessons learned and innovations derived from building a 'supercar' are eventually incorporated and passed down to all the other models in the company's line-up. The Nissan GT-R for example, is a true halo car with many advanced technological innovations, so much so that Motor Trend recently dubbed it as their 2009 car of the year.

But I don't see anything new or innovative about this Shelby, its more about raw horsepower and showing off your machismo than anything else.

[EOTE]

72. Exactly.

I'm guessing this new GT500 still lacks an independent rear suspension? Seems fairly archaic to me. If they had integrated some of the technology used in the Ford GT, I'd be far more impressed. As it stands, the GT500 seems little more than a drag car that seats 4. Not the most practical thing when you actually want to make a turn.

[blendermax]

74. The tech in this 2009 model is laughably outdated

sad to say but it is.

iron block engine, solid rear axle, roots-type supercharger? wtf? I mean come on, its like the 70s all over again.

The only thing that's missing is the carburetor. lol!

[Dreamer Tatum]

9. With that tiny volume, it's not a sign of much

The original Mustang reinvented Ford in the 60's. Wake me when they do something similar in the 2010's.

[Blue_Tires]

10. looks good

but sadly it is still an overweight, ill-handling dog good only for stoplight drags and the saturday night cruise-in...

and memo to FoMoCo: it is 2009 -- feel free to lose the iron engine block and solid rear axle...

[KillCapitalism]

41. Very true.

A Shelby Cobra GT 500 with a fully independent advanced suspension that weighs only 3000lbs. would be a blast. Chevy can do this with the Corvette Z-06, so why can't Ford?:shrug:

[Blue_Tires]

42. well there are a number of compromises built into the mustang platform

in the name of affordability...there is simply too much weight in the unibody platform (which was engineered in back when the car was in conception on paper) so a roadworthy 3000 lb Shelby GT500 is a near-impossibility (to say nothing about how much more nose-heavy it would be)

[CRF450]

89. GM's doing just that for the 2010 Camaro.

Still a bit heavy at 3700lbs, but from the track times I saw at the Nurburgring in Germany, it is an awesome handling car! Better than even the last gen base Corvettes. The base v6 in the Camaro has Direct Injection, its a little beast with 300hp, and a decent price tag starting at just under 23 grand.

[NYC_SKP]

13. The overcompensating tiny "package" crowd will love it!

:hide:

2007 Prius Touring, Package Six, leather navigation.

[MercutioATC]

16. There ARE people who just like performance cars.

It doesn't necessarily mean they're "compensating" for anything.

[NYC_SKP]

17. I know, it was wrong and it was a little mean even.

I liked my crazy cars of the past, but never had an American muscle car.

I had a couple Jaguars, 1957, 59, and a 74, all sedans, and I had a big truck, too, an F250 HD Diesel.

These days it just doesn't make sense to put money in that direction, but I have appreciation for good machines.

These new Mustangs will probably be an awesome ride on a closed track or out in the country, I have felt that kind of power under the hood, it's pretty cool!

:toast:

[DainBramaged]

49. A little mean? More like jealous and insipid.

[PBS Poll-435]

37. ROFL

I knew you had to be driving a fun car!

What is your mileage average?

With the A/C off, I had a 70.1 MPG on a trip of 150+ miles!

:woohoo:

[DS1]

63. leather navigation?

So you're leading the Gay Pride parade?

[Canuckistanian]

15. Vroom, vroom, car go fast!

I WANT one, Mommy, I WANT one.

That's about the level of thinking Ford executives have.

[L0oniX]

19. Well now that everyone is conserving gas use there's plenty for the assholes ...

who drive gas guzzlers, including SUV's.

[OwnedByFerrets]

73. Thank you...amazing the asses in this thread that just dont get it...

its not YOUR FUCKING WORLD...we all live in it.

[Tighelander]

21. I Remember When...

I remember when Fjord was crowing about all of the other companies they owned in a TV commercial a few years ago. At the time I thought they were jinxing themselves, and now I think they've had to sell all of those companies off.

[Ichingcarpenter]

22. I like watching Top Gear on BBC

Testing Fantasy cars which the masses will never own or drive.
And it is a funny show.

It will be interesting when they run that car through its paces on the show

[flvegan]

25. Top Gear, by history, is not a fan of the Mustang.

For that matter, most American cars are crap. Clarkson did own a Ford GT, and he DID really like the new ZR1. I wonder if they'll get one of these KRs to test.

[Ichingcarpenter]

26. Top Gear, by history, is not a fan of the Jaguar either

Which cracks me up since its a British show.

I think they do give honest reviews for the most part.

[flvegan]

28. Short of the new XF, there's no reason to be a Jag fan.

They love Lotus, Aston Martin and Range Rover, though. TVR is coming around for them. They're good judges on Brit cars.

Eh, they're pretty good judges on most cars, regardless of where they're built.

[Stinky The Clown]

30. I like it. I'll be crucified for saying that - or even thinking it.

[spin]

36. Not by everybody....

I seriously believe that there will always be a market for performance cars.

Not every person is environmentally conscience. Not every person believes in global warming and many people like powerful sexy cars.

To save our automobile industry, the executives of the motor companies need to build cars that appeal to people. Some people may desire smaller more economic vehicles, some may want to buy electric vehicles, some will want SUVs or big pickup trucks.

So the wise auto maker will set up a line of vehicles that appeal to a very diverse group of customers. But most importantly, these vehicles have to have quality. It takes years and years to get a reputation of a quality manufacturer and only a few years to totally destroy that reputation.

[DainBramaged]

50. Fuck 'em. Too much "If you don't think like us, you are unworthy" around here

Happy New Year. :party:

[merh]

31. Seems a little weird that they would let it keep the same name

as the repub senator that has been fucking them over - I'd say it seems to be just the right name for the model.

[madrchsod]

33. they`ll sell out the production run and make money on each car.

to bad they can`t go around a corner....

[IDemo]

35. If I were inclined to drop $80k on a Mustang, it would be this one -->

electric Mustang Ronaele 300

[tkmorris]

46. If I was gonna drop 80k on a car

I'd try to get as close as I could to this one.

[DainBramaged]

51. You'll pay A LOT more even if it's a Hemi recreation

[tkmorris]

84. Yeah. Sadly, I know

That's what I meant by "as close as I can". Meaning not very unfortunately.

[Swamp Rat]

98. MOPAR!

baby! :D

[Brucie Kibbutz]

39. A Shelby performance car...

... that weighs two tons. pathetic :eyes:

[Shardik]

52. Looks like one of the old Mustang Fastbacks. Not impressed.

This will happen if your car doesn't get enough exercise.

[MineralMan]

60. That's hilarious! I want one...

[MercutioATC]

61. Not just a "Mustang fastback"...THE Mustang fastback...the 1967 Mustang Shelby GT500

[Madison knows]

62. Oh well, at least they will still make the F-150.

[frylock]

76. memo to everybody trashing the car enthusiasts..

reflect about all the shit you're talking on your next long flight to Europe, or NYC, or grammas, etc. How are you any better than the people who elect to WASTE gas in a muscle car? Kirk out.

[frylock]

77. i don't care for roadsters..

but i'd take it for a spin!

[blues90]

79. That's the height of insanity , 540 HP !

Where can anyone use that sort of power when most times you sit in traffic and the speed limit is 65MPH.

I know there are people who have the money and will buy this thing but isn't about time we drop the love of the auto and replace it with something worth doing?

Around late 2002 when I was still working for a large ford dealership as a shop foreman and assistent service manager I had to deal with all the customer corners and this one fellow brough his cobra is saying it pinged at high speeds . We tested what we could on the dyno and I was not about to get a ticket driving at 145 MPH so this fellow comes in and said he'll drive it and show me and I said I am not putting my life in your hands while I sit there as you drive 145 MPH and he said he could get it to happen at 65 yet he proceded to hit 145 on the freeway whipping around traffic and I told him pull over and let me out , I told you no which don't seem to understand the meaning of .

I don't care what anyone says , we don't need cars on the road capable of this speed and I know if people have them they will push the limits at someones expense.

It's time to create transportation not race cars for the public yet here we are in this fucked up 21st century still allowing insanity to continue as if it's a right , well it should not be.

[DainBramaged]

85. For every "you can't do that" ninny here on DU

There are LOTS of us "I'll burn the tires downs to the ground and get another set and burn them down to" on DU. Maybe one of these days the so-called "Progressives" here on DU will stop being "RethuglicanLite" and stop telling the rest of us how to live our lives.




PS there are PLENTY of places to use all 540 of those horses, not that you'd ever have the courage to try.

[blues90]

86. courage?

I have a different word to describe that mentality. Anyone can climb behind the wheel and burn a set of tires into rubber dust and blue smoke even a chimp can pick this up in short order. Huge accomplishment.

I doubt anyone is attempting to tell others what to do,it's all a matter of priorities and expressed opinions and nothing more.

However when people take that sort of mentality to the public roads and highways then they become everybodies problem. Just like the ones who raise their PU truck 5 feet above the normal height and defeat the others drivers shoulder belt and air bag safety function as they drive right over them.

[DainBramaged]

87. Whatever

[Gman2]

83. My utility vehicle gets 55 mpg, cuts thru traffic, and will do the quarter in high 8's, low 9's

It weighs 400 lbs. soaking wet. 160 hp to the wheels. Put a body on it and two more wheels, and it will spank that tank like it stank. Light weight and aerodynamic are the future, as soon as we can ban tanks. You could get 100 mpg and it would be an exciting ride. Likely 11's in the quarter or even better mileage. And the vibrations, and busyness of the ride, is like my Miata. At speeds that other cars find boring, you will find exhilerating. This will save lives by the thousands and tens of thousands. Brakes and suspensions at 800 lbs or so, will stop like a brick wall. Here is my conception with two fewer wheels and no body.

[CRF450]

88. For god sakes will you people stop bitching over this car.

Come on, cant we have varieties here? You can buy a fuel efficient compact car if you want to save gas and just get from point A to point B, while I can buy something that powerful and fun to drive. I dont want to advocate an auto industry that will produce nothing but fuel sipping tin cans and leave everyone who wants something else out in the dust like so many of you here are advocating. Yes I drive a 350hp v8 powered high performance car, is that any of your business? No it isn't! As far as fuel consumption goes, my car averages 22-23mpg and has gotten 31mpg on the interstate. This isn't the 60's anymore when it comes to high powered v8's, they're twice as efficient as the carburetted beasts from back then.

When the power is not being used it wont consume anymore fuel than most regular/older cars with v6's and such.

[DainBramaged]

90. Don't bother, RethuglicanLite has become the norm here

If it isn't a Toyhoniss solar powered meat free atheist mobile, it isn't allowed.

[CRF450]

92. Its like their minds are still stuck in the 60's....

When it comes to cars like these.

Reality check, people. Most high powered v8's are not gas guzzlers like they once were.

[DainBramaged]

93. They read this on Huffington, with biased titles like "Ford hopes is new model of muscle car"

and believe it. And I thought only Rethuglicans believed what was shoveled at them. Ford doesn't need the muscle car to survive, and NONE OF THEM will admit that the new ford mid-sized 41MPG hybrid is a winner. Oh noes, it doesn't have the ToyHonNis God badge on it's fender.

[CRF450]

95. "Ford doesn't need the muscle car to survive"

I wouldn't exactly say that. They still sell ALOT of Mustangs, and the new front end looks pretty sharp. But in terms of performance, the Camaro's gonna kick its ass (base model and GT's) all over the place.

[billyoc]

91. Every one of them will be sold before they hit the showroom floor.

[DainBramaged]

94. And enjoyed, unlike people here who think life should be lived in old potato sacks

and we should eat bark.

[billyoc]

96. I like these hippies, but I don't care what they think about me smoking tires.

They're just going to go through a lot of aspirin worrying about my ruining the planet, because that's the way it's going to be.