Images and official details of the new Shelby GT500

The updated and improved Shelby GT500 was the last car presented at the 2008 show, as all the information and photographs were published just a few hours before the 2009 show began. This new Shelby has earned the title of the most powerful model the North American tuner has built, together with the SVT division of Ford, in its history.

In the words of Carroll Shelby, the founder, “we are proud of the improvements developed between Ford and Shelby last year, which have been fitted to this new Shelby GT500. Drawing on what we learned when we built the GT500KR, we have created a car that offers a great combination of handling, braking and power, which makes it a very special and fun car to drive.”

The engine that powers this new Shelby GT500 is a 5.4 DOHC V8 producing 540 hp, 690 Nm of peak torque and a maximum of 6,250 rpm. These figures have been achieved thanks to several advances fitted to this engine, such as a conical air filter and an intake that cools the system to increase power.

All that power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox that incorporates a twin-plate clutch, larger than that of the previous GT500. The transmission has also been improved to achieve smoother shifts and less noise and vibration. Fifth and sixth gears have been lengthened to improve consumption, while the first gears are now quicker.

These improvements mean that the 0 to 100 acceleration time will be lower, although the manufacturer has not released an official figure. However, it is expected to be very similar, if not identical, to the 4.1 seconds of the GT500KR.

On the outside, the changes made to the new Mustang presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show recently can be seen, affecting the front (headlights, grille and bonnet), the side and the rear (new taillights and boot shape). The modifications made by Shelby can be seen in the two front grilles, the bonnet air intake, the badges, the rear spoiler, the widened bodywork and certain interior details.

The design helps ensure that the air coming in at the front does not pass under the car, thereby increasing grip and improving aerodynamics, which also affects the car’s fuel consumption.

The suspension also receives modifications by the SVT team of Ford that improve its behaviour, and which were already used on the GT500KR. The handling also benefits from Goodyear F1 Supercar tyres mounted on exclusive 19-inch aluminium wheels.

The work done by SVT and Shelby has produced a Shelby GT500 that is more precise, manageable and quicker than before. The new GT500 will go on sale in the first months of this newly launched 2009, although the first unit will be auctioned along with the first new Camaro at the Barrett-Jackson auction, which will be held from 13 to 18 January in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Via | Motor Authority