RSS
Home
2010 Ford Shelby GT500: Inside the beast
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
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.”
.jpg)
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..jpg)
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.Conclusion
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.
You might also enjoy these:
- 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 overview
- 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 engine and suspension details
- 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 exterior design
- 2010 Ford Mustang photos and facts
- 2010 Ford Mustang interior photos and facts
- 2010 Ford Mustang engine and suspension photos and facts
Photos courtesy Ford Motor Company
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
When we saw the Volvo S60 Concept at the Detroit Auto Show last January, we proclaimed it production-ready. And with the release of the first official …
There are three questions people ask about the Nissan Altima Hybrid and for them we have four answers. The questions are, of course, what is it like …
- 2010 Reviews
- 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
- 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS
- 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
- 2010 Ford Taurus Limited AWD
- 2010 Ford Taurus SHO
- 2010 Hyundai Elantra SE
- 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
- 2010 Kia Forte
- 2010 Lexus HS 250h
- 2010 Lexus IS 350 C
- 2010 Lexus RX350
- 2010 Lexus RX 450h
- 2010 Mazda CX-7 i Sport
- 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
- 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
- 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic
- 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
- 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S
- 2010 Toyota Prius
- 2010 Toyota Prius II
- 2009 Reviews
- 2009 Acura TSX
- 2009 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T quattro
- 2009 Audi A6 3.0 TSFI
- 2009 BMW 135i Coupe
- 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive 3.5i
- 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 4WD
- 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT
- 2009 Chevrolet Kodiak pickup truck
- 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
- 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
- 2009 Chevrolet Traverse FWD LTZ
- 2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD
- 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Quad 4x4
- 2009 Ford Fiesta
- 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
- 2009 Ford Fusion SEL I-4
- 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-2
- 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
- 2009 Honda Fit Sport w/Nav
- 2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL
- 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8
- 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible
- 2009 Infiniti M45x
- 2009 Jaguar XF Premium Luxury
- 2009 Jaguar XKR Porfolio Coupe
- 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4
- 2009 Kia Borrego
- 2009 Kia Borrego EX 4x4
- 2009 Land Rover LR3
- 2009 Lincoln MKZ
- 2009 Lotus Exige S 260 Sport
- 2009 Lotus Exige S
- 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S
- 2009 Mazda Mazda6 s Grand Touring
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300
- 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS 4WD
- 2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring
- 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport
- 2009 Nissan Murano SL AWD
- 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z
- 2009 Pontiac G6 4-cyl
- 2009 Pontiac G8
- 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
- 2009 Pontiac Vibe AWD
- 2009 Porsche Boxster RS60
- 2009 Saturn Aura XR 4-cyl
- 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid
- 2009 Scion xB
- 2009 Subaru Legacy 3.0R Limited
- 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD Technology
- 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner
- 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Highlander/Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Matrix XRS
- 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cyl. 4WD
- 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum
- 2009 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD
- 2009 Toyota Venza 4-cyl. AWD
- 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
- 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Matic
- 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI
- 2008 Reviews
- 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell
- 2008 Bentley Continental GT
- 2008 BMW X6 xDrive 5.0i
- 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
- 2008 Kia Amanti
- 2008 Lexus IS-F
- 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT
- 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR
- 2008 Nissan Cube JDM
- 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line
- 2008 Scion xD
- 2008 Volkswagen Passat Turbo
- 2008 Volkswagen Toureg V8
- 2008 Volvo XC70 3.2
- 2008 Volvo XC70 D5
- 1971 Honda N600
