The latest version of the Shelby GT500 Mustang from Ford just hit the press, and it looks like a winner right out of the box. For starters, Ford has finally seen fit to make an engine that’s all alloy for the Shelby GT500. And what an engine it is.

The 2011 Shelby GT500 is motivated by an all-new 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine with an aluminum-block. Said mill cranks out 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, which is a 10 horsepower increase over the 2010 model. Even better, the new mill is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, producing a much better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.

“The SVT team continues to push the performance standards of the Shelby to even higher levels and better refinement. All the changes we made reflect a desire for even better handling and outstanding driving dynamics – from weight savings to improved balance,” said Jost Capito, director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development.

“Cutting weight to improve performance is a tradition among hot rodders, It might not be as sexy as adding more horsepower or bigger brakes, but shaving pounds off of a car is the single smartest move you can make,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American.

One of the interesting tech tidbits on the new engine is uses a state-of-the-art Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) liner coating, the first Ford application of the technology. PTWA applies a 150-micron composite coating containing nanoparticles on the internal surfaces of engine cylinder bores, and replaces cast-iron liners that typically have to used in aluminum engine blocks.

The PTWA process uses air and electricity to create a plasma jet operating at 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The PTWA jet melts a steel wire and feeds into a rotating spray gun. The melted steel wire is blown into a specially machined surface of the aluminum-block engine cylinder bore using atomized air. During this process the melted steel wire oxidizes, creating a composite coating consisting of both iron and iron oxide.

The 2011 Shelby GT500 gets pretty damn good fuel economy, given how big it is and how much power it puts out. The 2011 Shelby GT500 is the first modern Shelby not saddled by the gas guzzler tax, thanks to the EPA-projected 23 mpg highway and 15 mpg city it delivers. This is up from 22 mpg highway and 14 mpg city for the 2010 model.

Sorry, no word on when or how much.

Photos: Ford

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OK, scoops out on the 2010 Shelby Mustang (officially dubbed the Ford Shelby GT500), and it looks even better than the ’09s. There’s more power, and, get this, better mileage. Sure, we all want better gas mileage, but what Ford is touting is kind of comical. Still looks like a pretty damn good ride.

The 2010 Shelby is pretty much like the 09, but there are differences, both the ones you can see, and the ones you can feel when you mash the right-hand peddle.

The 2010, like the previous versions, was developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (otherwise known by the letters SVT). The uber-Mustang delivers a more horsepower with an increase to a whomping 540HP. Similarly, the torque has increased to 510 ft.-lb., while SVT has increased downforce and reduced drag. There’s also new gearbox enhancements (always welcome with these guys, their trannys always being a sticking point for some drivers). There’s also a standard 3.55:1 rear axle ratio, so the 2010 Shelby GT500 should accelerate like nobody’s business.

Here’s my favorite part though: The new for 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 provides better highway fuel efficiency – up 2 mpg compared with the outgoing model. Ford even mentions this in the headline of their press release. Guess that goes to show you that there must be some sort of PR directive to make everything they can look more Earth friendly.

It’s funny, because really, if you’re going to plunk down the change to buy a Ford Shelby GT500, (no pricing as of yet, but you know it won’t be cheap), saving a few dollars on gas isn’t going to be much of a concern for you. But it’s still nice that Ford thought of doing this.

And they dragged those improved MPG figures from a pretty impressive mill. The 2010 Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine cranking out 540 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 510 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,500 rpm. The engine redlines at 6,250 rpm. The car’s power dome hood is made from aluminum and not only adds to the Shelby’s appearance, it helps cool the engine through a bitchin’ hood extractor.

And speaking of looks, there are new exterior bit & bobs. In addition to the hood extractor to remove heat from the engine, there’s a “Gurney Flap” spoiler that produces more rear downforce.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms this spring.

Photos from Flickr users Chad Horwedel, Portnoy668, stephg67

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Ford released new information and images of the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 to be debuted at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Whether you like the new design of the 2010 Mustang or not, there’s no denying that it’s been seriously upgraded. The new Shelby GT500 takes this to the extreme.

The 2010 version of this snake’s 5.4-liter supercharged V8 gets a 40 horsepower increase from its predecessor, now up to 540 HP. Torque is also increased to 510 lb-ft, and it gets a new gearbox to handle the extra power, provide faster acceleration, and better fuel economy. Exterior changes are functional – a new hood extractor removes heat from the engine, and a Gurney Flap spoiler tunes rear downforce.

Helping the engine produce that extra power is an open-element cold-air induction system with a new conical air filter. A new, larger twin-disc clutch helps to increase drivability. Chassis tuning and a tighter suspension help with improved handling.

For 2010, Ford seriously upgraded the interior in the base Mustang, and you’ll notice an even bigger difference for the GT500. In addition to the use of genuine materials inside (real leather, real aluminum,) the GT500 gets a touch of class by using Alcantara seat inserts and a redesigned steering wheel. Other details include various Cobra and “GT500″ emblems, different textures used, a white shift knob (as a tribute to Shelbys from the past,) and unique engravings will remind you that you’re driving a Shelby.

Expect to see the new GT500 at the Detroit Auto Show this year, and in dealer showrooms this Spring. Check out the photo gallery below:

More 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Photos

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Here’s a neat little bit of auto and racing history, Carroll Shelby’s old MG TC race car that he privately campaigned. The car, Carroll’s first ever race car actually, was loaned to him by good friend Ed Wilkins at a road race in Norman, Oklahoma. Shelby won the race (natch), supposedly handling the Jaguar XK120s with ease (must have been a tight course).

This particular TC won the prestigious Collier Cup in 2005 at the all-MG vintage race in The Glen, and includes the SCCA Log Book. The race prepped 1250cc 4-cylinder engine cranks out 100+hp and is ready to race.

I had the opportunity to race against one of these once, a BRG with red leather interior, driven by an older Canadian guy from White Rock. No, it wasn’t all-winning, but he did embarrass some kids with hopped up civics and whatnot. The improvements in chassis design and tuning was visibly noticeable from 150 yards away … the TC would dive into a corner, turn in, lean-Lean-LEAN WAAAAAAAAY to the outside, then amazingly (and to great reliefe of the corner workers) take a set and glide through the corner like it was on rails.

Anyway, if you have the yenom and the garage space, you might want to swing by Vegas.

Source: Classical Drives

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Happy Fourth of July to all you car buffs out there!

Since the Fourth of July is a celebration of America and all things American (except maybe gas prices), I’ve put together this little Fourth of July Special, an article dedicated to all American cars. I actually got the idea from Car and Driver, and you can see their article here. Anyway, this is compromised of what I believe are the current finest examples of the American automobile. Not all are in production, but those that aren’t will be. I chose these cars because they herald the new “era” of the Big Three, , who are just beginning to make cars that you actually want. So if you’re a car buff and you love your country, this might just make you proud to be an American again, and just in time for the Fourth of July. And if you aren’t American, these cars might just make you wish you were.

You might not agree with all the choices, and if there is a car you disagree with or if there is one you think should be on the list, any and all comments are welcome. Keep in mind that this is just my opinion of cars that have that good ol’ American feel— and make me proud to be an American.

Dodge Challenger

Dodge’s new all muscle car is sure a thing to be proud about. Retro styled in the classic Dodge way, the Challenger is big, heavy, and powerful. The long hood short deck formula, the humps over the wheels, and its square front and end make it instantly recognizable as an American muscle car. And yeah, it’s got that classic Hemi V-8.

Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 KR

Ford’s fifth generation Mustang is a great retro styled car, and the Shelby GT500 is better, but I like the GT500 KR the most. Not only is the best looking and the most vicious Cobra Mustang to ever come from Ford and Shelby, but it is also the most powerful and the most expensive stock Mustang made. It’s beastly 540 horsepower engine and 80 grand price is a classic example of sheer, undiluted excess— and it is everything a true, high-performance American Mustang should be.

Chevrolet Camaro

Due to hit showrooms in 2010 is the Mustang’s most feared rival, the Chevy Camaro. Its production will complete the return of the Big Three muscle car set. When the Camaro was first released in 1967, the press asked Chevy what a Camaro was. To which Chevy officials responded, “It’s a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs”. With a 400 horsepower V-8, I can’t wait till it comes out.

Update: 2010 Chevy Camaro 1LT Review

Chevrolet Malibu

I don’t much like the Malibu’s looks, but I can’t help but admire what it has accomplished. Far removed from the ugly predecessor, the new Malibu is a great family sedan that offers sharp looks, quality fit and finish, and an overall good package that has got the best of Toyota, Nissan, and Honda worried.

Cadillac CTS and CTS-V (and Coupe Versions)

The new CTS is just one example of the good things that are going on in GM. Completely redesigned, it easily competes with and bests the competitors from BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, and other luxury sedan brands. The CTS-V (pictured) is even better, offering more aggressive looks and a lot more power. It just may be the fastest sedan in history, and has got even such icons as BMW’s M3 and Mercedes’ C63 AMG running scared. The Coupe version is basically the same, only with a sportier profile.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The Corvette is already the epitome of the American muscle car, and it offers the best bang for the buck of any car in the world. It’s one of the most revered sports cars in the world, and can compete with the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini at a mere fraction of their price. Apparently, that wasn’t good enough, so GM charged Chevy with making the most insane Corvette ever. The upcoming Corvette ZR1 is an absolute beast, with 638 raging horses powering it to 205 mph, making it the fastest car GM has ever built.

Saturn Sky Red Line

It’s not often that you see an exciting Saturn, indeed, this is the first one. The Saturn Sky Red Line a is head-turning roadster that is one of GM’s best looking cars in many years. It not only outperforms most of the competition, but it also gets relatively good mileage as well, with 22/31 mpg.

Chevrolet Volt

GM used to be the largest car company in the world, with the most net profit, until Toyota came and knocked them off their perch. The main reason was because GM was dumb and made SUVs and elected not to make hybrids, while Toyota saw the long term investment and decided to make fuel efficient cars. GM is now finally making a serious effort to combat the Japanese manufacturers in the hybrid realm, and the Volt may be just the tool to do that. The basic idea is that it is a hybrid, and can travel for 40 miles without using a single drop of gas. Now, that’s great, but I pray GM doesn’t go ahead and make it $40,000, which Bob Lutz said might happen.

Pontiac Solstice GXP (and Coupe Version)

Pontiac has been sort of like Buick and Saab these past years— you know they exist, but you don’t really see them and you think about them even less. There’s never any news on Pontiac ’cause no one cares about Pontiacs anymore, right? Well, Pontiac, for one, disagrees, and they do it in the form of the Solstice. Yeah, I know, the Solstice has been around for awhile, but it recently got a lot of attention in the form of the Solstice Coupe. Now, people are talking about Pontiac again, and with good reason— the Solstice and the Coupe are sexy and powerful, so what’s not to like?

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OK, Detroit Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show … let’s see, what do we got this year … something called an A-Bat, a whole bunch of hybrid this & that, SUVs renamed something-or-other-Vs, a whole bunch of Chinese cars with safety “standards” that will give Nader fits, the roll out of the 2008 Shelby GT500KR, huh, wonder what that’s all about?

Let’s take a look at the stats … SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8, limited to 1,000 copies, 50% stiffer chassis, revised suspension, better aero, Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, 540-hp and torque to 510 ft.-lbs …

Fiver hundred and forty?!

Son-of-a- … this thing must go like all get out!

And hey look, they’re even putting it out on ‘Ol Shel’d birthday … pretty cool, huh?

Only thing that could be cooler is if they put this drive train into the Bullitt package, but why get ahead of ourselves?

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OK, so there’s been a lot of buzz over the past while concerning the new upcoming version of Knight Rider. Thankfully, they are only re-doing it as a TV series, and not trying to make it into a mediocre movie, and, as with everything widespread and hyped these days, there’s good news, and there’s bad news.

The good news is that the series will be largely Hasselhoff free.

The bad news, if you’re a Pontiac fan and/or a traditionalist, is that K.I.T.T. (that would be The Knight Rider’s car, for those of you who don’t know) is going to be a new Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang.

Now look, I’ve got nothing against this move, per se. I actually like the latest iteration of the Mustang, and I’m sure the latest Shelby treatment is just as potent as all the other ones (except for that hideous Mustang II Cobra, the less said about that, the better), but for the series to, essentially, “change brands” is always a tricky move to pull off.

It sort of reminds me of when the producers of the James Bond films decided it was a good idea for 007 to drop the British iron in favor of tooling around in a BMW.

Because, you know, nothing says suave and sophisticated international assassin like driving around in a pale blue Z3.

Anyway, I’ll let you Knight Rider fans take it up in the comments section and we can sort out whether this is a good move, or a bad move or just a move for movements sake.

And for those of you wanting to catch up or relive those golden memories of halcyon days past, they’re putting out the first season of the original Knight Rider on DVD.

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Classic Design Concepts has teamed up with StangNet.com to create yet another choice for you if you’re wanting to pick up a new Mustang. This one sports a pretty unique glassback roof, which you can see out from the inside, but not in from the outside, a custom, hand-painted finish, a Ford GT Push-Button start system, and 2008 GT500 HID headlights. But that’s not all…

The Glassback GT500 Project has distinct but tasteful body accessories, and 19″ CCW wheels. Performance enhancements are significant: An MRT Catted H-pipe coupled to a stainless steel MagnaFlow catback system (subject to change) makes the GT500 really growl, and while complemented by the C&L GT500 Mass Air System, the Steeda Coil-Over Suspension keeps the car planted.

I would prefer a different color/stripe combo, but the car looks great, and the body modifications are functional. They actually replaced the factory fog-lamps with brake cooling ducts. Very cool.

StangNet GT500 Photo Gallery:

source: StangNet.com

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Ridiculous price aside, the choice might actually be worth it, since this will be the rarest color combination available for the GT500. You can get the stripes on either a black or white car, and I must say, the red stripes on black looks really good.

In all fairness, the package does also include a red/black interior combo, premium carpeting and floor mats with a red/silver Cobra logo, and a car cover. Still not worth $1650, in my opinion.

More Pictures:

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Out of the 500 total Shelby GT-H’s made, 499 of them were sent to be rented out by Hertz. The one that wasn’t, was sold for an astonishing $250,000 at the “Gathering of Eagles” fundraiser in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Was it worth the price? Absolutely. Think about it, this guy owns the only Shelby GT-H Mustang that will stay in good condition in the world. After these other GT-H ‘Stangs are rented out by lead-foots (how would you treat it?) over a few years they will go on sale. I guarantee every one of these Mustangs will be badly beaten by the time they are offered to the public for sale, if not destroyed. This guy will sell this collector car for more than he bought it, guaranteed.

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