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2010 Ford Shelby GT500: Power to the (Shelby) People
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“Working together on the KR, the Ford (SVT) and Shelby teams developed new systems to continually improve the iconic Mustang,” according to Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles, talking about the awe-inspiring Ford Shelby GT500KR.
“We need to uphold the Mustang badge with honor, the Shelby badge with honor and most importantly the Ford badge with honor,” added Jamal Hameedi, chief nameplate engineer for SVT. “The 2010 GT500 is the car that will do that.”
A major element in that upholding and improving, not to mention inspiring awe, is under the hood of the Shelby GT500, a 5.4-liter double overhead cam supercharged and intercooled V-8 producing a 540 horsepower and 510 lb-ft or torque, matching the output of the Shelby GT500KR that preceded it.
The GT500 enjoys a number of elements to achieve its output, including an open-element air-induction system with a conical air filter instead of the closed flat-panel filter system. Reducing air restriction, the new induction system allows more air to be delivered to the engine for more power and greater efficiency, though no doubt disappointing aftermarket suppliers who’ve made a business of providing that kind of intake system.Also a disappointment to the aftermarket guys is a cold-air intake system that provides ambient temperature air to the air box, assuring the densest air (reasonably) possible to the engine. The cold air intake meant placing the Cobra snake badge to the other side of the grille where it was out of the way of the air intake.
Because sound is an obvious part of the GT500 experience, however, the engine development team placed a patented resonator between the air filter and engine throttle body to control the intake noise and block unwanted noise.
“You still hear the supercharger but no so that it’s intrusive,” Kerry Badori, chief functional engineer for SVT (we assume that means dealing with “functions,” not that the engineer is functional, though that’s probably true also). The same is true with exhaust. “You want people to know you’re driving something special, but you don’t want an exhaust note that overpowers the whole interior.”
The kick of the 540 horsepower—that’s 100 horsepower per liter—V-8 is funneled through an improved twin-disc clutch. Not only are the clutch discs larger, 250mm in diameter replacing 215mm, they are stronger, made of copper and fiberglass. Improved drivability as well as control of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) is achieved by a unique feature of the twin-disc clutch. Rather than floating, the intermediate disc has six straps that control clutch engagement.Gear selection and the changed final drive ratio give the Shelby GT500 improved acceleration and better highway fuel mileage. Gears one-through-four of the six speed transmission weren’t changed, but fifth gear is slightly taller, now .80 instead of .74 and sixth gear goes from .63 to .50 for extremely long legs and just-above-idle engine speed at highway speeds. The new final drive ratio, however—3.55:1 instead of 3.31—gives quicker acceleration at lower speeds without compromising fuel economy.
Hameedi said, “We wanted to make sure we had a nice, crisp short-throw shifter that was easy to go from gear to gear.” Shifter, clutch pedal, brake pedal efforts and overall steering were made easier.”
One should expect more than raw acceleration from anything named after road racer Carroll Shelby, so the SVT team worked to bring GT500KR attributes to the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500, emphasizing primary body control.
“All our changes were about making the car to respond as fast and as predictable as possible,” said Hameedi, describing suspension changes. Springs and shocks were recalibrated to improve roll control for more precision during braking, accelerating or cornering. The steering shaft was stiffened to tighten up the feel as well. The basic live axle rear suspension continues, however.
SVT team members also worked with Goodyear engineers with a “recipe” for what they wanted in a tire and Goodyear made it happen with a tire designed explicitly for the Shelby GT500. The Goodyear F1 Supercar tires supplied with the GT500 have improved grip, better handling and reduced NVH, Ford says.
The 19-inch wheels on the 2010 Shelby GT500 are unique to the model, forged aluminum milled on both sides. “Blade” spokes have very thin but strong cross-sections, in part from a specific curve from rim to hub that also accentuates the offset and width of the tires.Keeping the shiny side up and making the driving experience better overall is Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability system with three levels of control. The default “on” mode is there for everyday driving, while a Sport mode has broader tolerances designed for track performance. The more macho driver can turn the system completely off, but even thenanti-lock braking and other safety features remain in place.
Mechanically, the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 is the ultimate Mustang from Ford for anything this side of a race track. Performance doesn’t come from power and underpinnings alone, however. Be sure to return for info on the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500’s styling and aerodynamics, and later we’ll take you spelunking into the interior. Or subscribe (it’s free) below for email notification when the next article by Examiner.com’s National Auto Review Examiner is published.
You might also enjoy these:
- 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 overview
- 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 exterior details
- 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 interior details
- 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.
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