The new 2010 Shelby GT500 delivers the most power and refinement ever for a Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang – and a few surprises, too.

"We’re proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we’ve now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling, and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive."

Ford’s Special Vehicle Team used the gains made on the 40th anniversary edition Shelby GT500KR "King of the Road" as the performance starting point and built from there. The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobras from the 1960s, takes those design cues even further with nuanced improvements in both the coupe and convertible, each of which boasts a more-refined interior.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 expected to produce 540 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque. The car’s aluminum power dome hood not only adds to the appearance, it helps cool the engine through a hood extractor. A cold-air intake feeds the coolest air possible directly into the air box, helping further increase horsepower. The intake necessitated moving the Cobra snake badge to the other side of the grille to enable maximum airflow.

Driving dynamics also are improved, thanks to SVT’s chassis tuning as well as new 19-inch Goodyear F1 Supercar tires and forged aluminum wheels on the 2010 Shelby GT500 coupe and 18s on the convertible. Springs and dampers have been optimized for better roll control, giving drivers more confidence when braking, accelerating, or turning. The new chassis tuning takes its philosophy from the KR program, with a greater emphasis placed on primary body control. 

Numerous aerodynamic upgrades, including a redesigned splitter, were made to the front end of the 2010 Shelby GT500. George Saridakis, Exterior Design manager of the Mustang and Shelby GT500, said his team took a cue from the Shelby AC Cobra 427 with respect to the front grilles, which are gaping and appear ready to swallow the road. 

Another obvious difference is the addition of racing stripes, which also will now be available on the convertible.

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