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Shelby, SVT TEAM
UP ON A MODERN GT500
THE POWERFUL MUSTANG COBRA EVER
The most powerful factory-built Ford Mustang in history
takes to the street next year, following a unique
collaboration between performance car legend Carroll Shelby
and the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT).
Ford took the wraps off the 450-plus-horsepower Ford Shelby
Cobra GT500 show car at the New York International Auto Show
March 23. Designed in the unmistakable image of Shelby
Mustangs of the 1960s, the Shelby Cobra GT500 combines SVT's
modern engineering with the big-block performance that made
the original GT500 a legend.
“The all-new 2005 Ford Mustang is one of the hottest cars in
many years,” says Phil Martens, Ford group vice president,
Product Creation. “It was engineered from the beginning to
be the basis of a high-performance, world-class sports car
from SVT, and the Shelby Cobra GT500 is it.”
Carroll Shelby lends his support to SVT, adapting his
earlier role as a senior advisor on the “Dream Team” that
was assembled to develop and build the 2005 Ford GT supercar.
“I've worked with the SVT guys for several years now, and I
know they have the guts, the talent and the passion to
deliver the best performance Mustangs ever,” says Shelby.
A production version of the GT500 will go on sale in 2006,
continuing the high-performance lineage of the SVT Mustang
Cobra model line. It will be followed by a steady stream of
performance products developed by SVT, including the Ford
Sport Trac Adrenalin, the industry's first high-performance
sport-utility truck, in 2007.
“SVT led the modern-day factory performance trend with the
Mustang Cobra and the industry's first high-performance
truck, the F-150 Lightning,” says Hau Thai-Tang, director,
Ford Advanced Product Creation and SVT. “Today, we're
building on that pioneering vision with vehicles like the
Ford GT, Shelby Cobra GT500 and Sport Trac Adrenalin – great
performance machines that connect with enthusiasts in a way
no other companies or vehicles can match.”
The production GT500 will be the first in a string of
specialty Mustangs that SVT will help deliver. SVT will now
develop non-SVT branded Ford Division performance vehicles –
including heritage-based performance Mustangs in the spirit
of the 2001 Bullitt GT and 2003 Mach 1 – as it becomes more
directly integrated into Ford's mainstream product
development process.
Shelby Cobra GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter DOHC V-8
produces over 450-hp
Just as the original Shelby GT500 was the “step up” to
big-block power from the GT350, the new Ford Shelby Cobra
GT500 steps up from Mustang's 4.6-liter V-8 to Ford's
5.4-liter V-8. Its supercharged 5.4-liter, 32-valve V-8
evolves from SVT's experience with supercharging the “MOD”
engine to deliver more than 450 horsepower and 450 foot
pounds of torque – making the GT500 the most powerful
factory Mustang ever.
The cast-iron-block, four-valve engine is force-fed an
air/fuel mixture via a screw-type supercharger at 8.5 pounds
per square inch of boost.Aluminum cylinder heads, plus
piston rings and bearings, are sourced from the Ford GT
program and bring a high level of proven durability to the
drivetrain, while upgraded cooling components promise
longevity. “Powered by SVT” valve covers add the finishing
touch to the engine.
“This version of the 5.4-liter V-8 has a higher horsepower
rating than any other factory Mustang in history,” says Jay
O'Connell, SVT chief vehicle engineer. “It really delivers
on the essence of two great names in Ford performance – a
mix of SVT's modern-day experience with supercharging and
the Shelby GT500's heritage of big-block power.”
The engine has been further tuned from its first application
in a Mustang,the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R, a limited-edition
model of 300 units.
Helping to put the power of the GT500's supercharged V-8 to
the pavement is a T-56 six-speed manual gearbox. The evenly
spaced gears mean less stirring is needed to find the “sweet
spot” in keeping the revs “on cam” for power to pass, while
at the same time making the most of the engine's broad
torque curve. The heavy-duty transmission has proven itself
a willing companion to V-8 power in Mustangs in both road
and track environments, including the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra
R, 2004 SVT Mustang Cobra and the new race-winning Ford
Racing Mustang FR500C.
Great power requires great control
The great Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s were anything but
one-trick ponies. They earned their stripes on twisty roads
and race tracks across America and Europe. The Shelby Cobra
GT500 show car continues that legacy of all-around
performance.
The GT500 starts with the solid 2005 Mustang underpinnings.
The all-new Mustang's platform was designed from the
beginning with performance derivatives in mind, providing an
exceptionally rigid, well-engineered starting point for SVT
chassis engineers.
Using real-world experience gained during more than 12 years
of building great-handling SVT Mustang Cobras, SVT engineers
retune and upgrade key chassis components. Improvements such
as revised shocks, spring rates and upgraded stabilizer bars
help the GT500 stop and turn with the same authority as it
goes.
The GT500 features a MacPherson strut independent front
suspension with “Reverse L” lower control arms, and a
solid-axle, three-link rear suspension with coil springs and
a Panhard rod for precise control of the rear axle.
This rear suspension design has been validated on the track
by Ford Racing. The race-prepared Ford Racing Mustang FR500C
was purpose-built from the base 2005 Mustang body structure
and suspension geometry to run in the Grand-Am Cup series, a
class of road racing for production-based cars. Competing
against the best from Germany and Japan, a Mustang FR500C
competed in and won its first ever race in the season-opener
at Daytona International Speedway in February 2005.
“SVT and Ford Racing will be working closer than ever as we
go forward on future projects, especially Mustangs,” says
Thai-Tang, a Ford Racing alumnus who served as the race
engineer for the Newman-Haas Racing team in 1993. “The
Mustang FR500C racing program is a demonstration of the kind
of capability we engineered into the mainstream Mustang.
Now, we have both a Daytona victory and the return of the
Shelby Cobra GT500 to showcase Mustang performance
possibilities.”
To match this power and handling ability, SVT fitted some of
the biggest brakes in the business to the GT500.
Fourteen-inch cross-drilled Brembo rotors up front and
13-inch discs in the rear continue SVT's legacy of
great-braking Mustangs. Secure footing is provided by
19-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance tires.
The snake is back – Legendary looks with SVT function
The Shelby Cobra GT500 combines the dramatic design genes of
the all-new Mustang with Carroll Shelby's legendary
performance image to create an SVT Mustang that broadens the
brand's design approach and appeal.
“The restrained, performance-oriented SVT design theme has
become instantly recognizable to enthusiasts without brash
styling cues,” says Doug Gaffka, design director, Ford SVT
vehicles. “The GT500 takes a huge leap forward by combining
the modern Mustang muscle car with the classic Shelby
performance look to expand SVT's reach to a much bigger
audience.”
The 2005 Mustang design team drew inspiration from classic
1968 Mustangs, the models that transformed the mild-mannered
pony car into a muscle car with attitude. Envisioning an SVT
model, the team tested GT500 design cues on the Mustang GT
coupe concept that was unveiled at the 2003 North American
International Auto Show. In 2004, designers further
developed the GT500 look on the Mustang GT-R, a race-bred
concept with the dual purpose of foreshadowing SVT's Mustang
design direction and Ford Racing's plans to return Mustang
to road racing.
The GT500 now comes into full light, punctuated by the
classic Le Mans-style white stripes that race along the top
of the show car's “SVT Red” paint from nose to tail. The
stripes recall the Shelby Mustangs that marked another
important 1960s Mustang transition when Ford put it on track
to becoming a racing legend. The GT500 nomenclature is
prominent in the lower bodyside racing stripe, another cue
from the original Shelby Mustangs.
“The new Mustang has classic design cues from some of the
best-looking Mustangs of all-time, including the Shelbys,”
says Keith Rogman, Ford senior designer. “The design of the
GT500 has been at the forefront of our minds since the
outset of the entire Mustang program.”
The Shelby design elements alone are enough to tell the
GT500 story, but they're not the only visual cues that set
this Mustang apart. The reworked front fascia features a
functional air splitter and the unique hood has
heat-extraction ducts, combining to provide improved airflow
and aerodynamics. Revised headlamp insets offer a more
aggressive look and result in symmetrical upper and lower
grilles with large air openings, creating a visual
connection to vintage Shelby Mustangs.
The unique rear fascia features strakes inspired by the Ford
GT's integrated rear airflow diffuser, and a rear spoiler
reminiscent of a classic GT500. To mark the collaboration of
two Mustang performance icons, the GT500 features Shelby and
SVT badging.
Continuing the snake logo tradition of past-generation
Shelby Mustangs, as well as late-model SVT Cobras, the
fenders each feature an updated design of the Cobra. For the
first time on any SVT Mustang, the front grille features an
off-center snake in place of the standard running horse.
“GT500” is emblazoned inside the side rocker stripes, and
the name “SHELBY” is prominently featured across the rear
deck. The SVT logo can be seen on the wheel center caps, a
signature SVT location, as well as on the doorsill plates.
To top if off, the “gas cap” type medallion between the
taillights reads “Shelby GT500” centered on the Cobra image.
The interior is completely wrapped in ebony black leather,
including the top of the dash, door panels and center arm
rest. Also wrapped in ebony leather are the shift lever,
shift boot and parking-brake handle. SVT Red leather seating
surfaces and door panel inserts provide a marked contrast to
the rest of the leather-trimmed cabin, surrounding the
performance enthusiast with luxury and comfort. Snake logos
embroidered into the seatbacks finish the package.
“We've taken leather design trends to a new level by using
it on almost every exposed surface in the GT500,” says
Rogman. “Leather has long been a performance fashion
accessory for enthusiasts, from jackets to racing gloves, so
it perfectly matches all the other driving oriented cues.”
The Shelby GT500 script and Cobra image are repeated on the
steering wheel cap. Behind the wheel are titanium-faced
gauges swapped in location so that the tachometer is
dominant visually for the driver. The chrome accessories
inside the cabin have been replaced with a satin aluminum
finish, including the aluminum shift lever knob that is
nicely positioned for quick, positive shifts of the
six-speed transmission.
SVT and Shelby: The Legends Grow
With the look and legend one would expect from Carroll
Shelby and the kind of power and performance that
enthusiasts have come to expect from SVT, the GT500 show car
points to a brand new era in Ford Motor Company's
performance future.
“Carroll Shelby is truly a living automotive legend, a Ford
performance legend,” says Martens. “It's a dream come true
to be able to put the Shelby name on a Mustang again.”
Carroll Shelby first put his name on a Mustang back in 1964
when he was asked to inject some high performance into the
brand-new pony car. The result was the GT350-R, a
lightweight, handling-focused race car that earned the
Mustang its first performance credentials. Subsequent Shelby
Mustangs included a street version of the race car, the
GT350, and what was known as the “rent-a-racer” Mustang, the
GT350-H, a joint project with the Hertz rental car
corporation.
The ultimate Shelby Mustang of the era was the GT500-KR, or
“King of the Road.” Powered by a big block 428-cubic inch
“Cobra Jet” V-8, the GT500 was one of the most powerful, and
memorable, muscle cars of that period. Shelby Mustang
production ceased in 1970 with a total volume of 14,559
units.
The Ford Special Vehicle Team brought exclusive high
performance back to Mustang in 1993. After 12 years and with
nearly 80,000 high-performance Mustangs on the streets, and
a total SVT vehicle production nearing 145,000 vehicles, SVT
is primed for growth with the GT500 serving as the
foundation for other performance Mustang projects.
By bringing together Carroll Shelby and Ford SVT, the
company's commitment to performance becomes as powerful as
at any time in its history – including the famed “Total
Performance” days of the 1960s. From the Ford GT supercar,
the GT500, to a rejuvenated Ford Racing Performance Parts
program – performance and racing adds luster to its proud
brand heritage.
“SVT has been and will remain the leader in performance
vehicle engineering and marketing,” says Martens. “SVT
remains unique in offering the total performance experience.
The return of Carroll Shelby to our performance family only
strengthens our firepower.”
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