2011 Ford Shelby GT500 will be faster and lighter, execs say

Scott Burgess / The Detroit News

Allen Park -- The 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 will be faster, more powerful and lighter than ever before, Ford Motor Co. executives said this afternoon.

It only makes sense that the most powerful Mustang in Ford's stable would get a power train update after Ford unveiled the 300-plus horsepower V-6 Mustang three months ago and the new Mustang GT 5.0 with 400-plus horsepower the week before the Detroit auto show.

Now, the GT500 will gain 10 ponies under its hood for a supercharged total of 550 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque from its all new aluminum engine that sheds 102 pounds.

"Cutting weight to improve performance is a tradition among hot rodders," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American, in a news release. "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."

Ford's partnership with Shelby has helped create the GT500, which are built in Flat Rock, as GT models and then shipped to Las Vegas where the vehicles are upgraded by Shelby's team.

Cutting weight can enable performance both on the track and on the highway. While final figures are not available, Ford thinks the GT500 will get good enough gas mileage to avoid a gas guzzler tax.

The GT500 will also feature a Special Vehicle Team performance package, which includes Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G:2 tires. The car's wheels include forged aluminum 19-inch front rims and 20-inch rears.

"These tires are as close as you can get to a race car tire," said Eric Zinkosky, SVT technical specialist. "We have a tire that's way more capable, with better grip, is firmer and more race-oriented. From there, we tuned the chassis around it. The tires told us what we had to do."

The performance package includes stiffer springs, a lower ride height and improved dampening. All will help the car's handling at high speed. The new GT500 should be able to handle up to 1G of lateral force and a 7 percent improvement in stopping distance over the 2010 GT500.

Ford also added a new rear deck spoiler to increase down force through tighter turners.

All of these additions mean the 2011 GT500 can go straight from the showroom floor to the race track.

sburgess@detnews.com (313) 223-3217