2010 Ford Shelby GT500: Inside the beast

One might think a 540 horsepower in a pony car might be enough. One might believe that adding looks that cross a pit bull with a greyhound might more than one needs. One would be wrong. And wrong again. At least that what Ford must have believed when spec’ing out the interior of the 2010 Shelby GT500.

 

Fettling the Shelby’s interior didn’t mean changing the basic shapes of a design that was just introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Says chief designer Doug Gaffka, “The quality is better, the fit and finish is exquisite, the choice of materials is even better. Use of more aluminum, use of more leather and most importantly we have a soft instrument panel.”

 

For the GT500, however, it means going at least a step further. For example, aluminum “finish panels” have been given a dimple texture pattern that Ford says was inspired by racing clutch plates, braided hoses and cross-drilled racing brake rotors, a design exclusive to the GT500. Ford says as a nod to the classic Shelby Mustangs of the Sixties the “GTT500” logo is engraved “discretely” into the aluminum in front of the passenger. A cobra is etched into the center of the aluminum steering wheel badge.

 

All 2010 Mustangs will have full circle trim rings around the tachometer and speedometer, the Shelby GT500 in the “satin liquid chrome” finish also used elsewhere in the interior.

 

The shift knob is a traditional white ball, a classic feature of Shelby Mustangs, and to make the current shift knob Shelby specific it combines racing stripes with the traditional H-pattern.

 

Racing stripes are also on the Alcantera—a suede-like material—patches in the leather seats that provide extra fanny traction while driving in the twisties. Alcantera on the steering wheel will provide extra grip as well.

 

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 is fully equipped with standard equipment including SYNC, the Ford/Microsoft hands-free voice-activated in-car communication and entertainment system; 911 Assist, which with proper set-up can call 911 in case of an airbag deployment; ambient lighting with MyColor, which allows drivers to stir up 125 custom colors for interior lighting; and Vehicle Health Report, which can send diagnostic data to Ford via the driver’s properly set-up cell phone.

 

The only option with the Shelby GT500 is voice-activated navigation with Sirius travel link, which in addition to giving standard directions provides real-time traffic information, weather and fuel prices at more than 120,000 gas stations. It also provides sports scores and movie theater information.

 

 

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms—provided they’re not sold out first—in spring, though you will be able to see it starting with the North America International Auto Show in January. Ford hasn’t announced prices yet but the ’09 GT500 lists for more than $45,220 and one shouldn’t expect the 2010 to be priced lower. Production volume hasn’t been finalized but each Shelby Certified dealer will receive at least one GT500, with more allocated based on sales.  

 

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 will have final assembly at the Auto Alliance International plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, and this may have been said before, but if so, we’ll say it again, the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 will just flat rock.

 

To read the latest news and reviews from Examiner.com's National Auto Review Examiner, subscribe (free!) by clicking on "Subscribe" below. No salesman will call and we won't even tell ourselves your email address.