2010 Shelby GT500
Discussion
Now THAT'S the way to start the year 
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/01/detroit-preview...
Like the more prosaic Mustangs, the GT500 is mechanically an evolution of the older model. Just as Ford used the current-gen Bullitt model as the starting point for the 2010 Mustang GT, the lessons learned from developing the limited edition GT500 KR fed directly into the latest Shelby-badged variant. Output of the supercharged 5.4L V8 has now been cranked up to 540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, and the handling is claimed to be better than before.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/01/detroit-preview...
Like the more prosaic Mustangs, the GT500 is mechanically an evolution of the older model. Just as Ford used the current-gen Bullitt model as the starting point for the 2010 Mustang GT, the lessons learned from developing the limited edition GT500 KR fed directly into the latest Shelby-badged variant. Output of the supercharged 5.4L V8 has now been cranked up to 540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, and the handling is claimed to be better than before.
Oh my god it's a Dodge Ram!!! Or a Shelby GT500 with its character removed.
Good old Ford USA, just like Ford Europe, they design something that looks great and "have" to update the new model year with something, anything, as long as it looks different to the previous one (oh sorry that isn't like Ford Europe already they just design wedges...)
What were they thinking, really? Say it again "What were they thinking?" One of the coolest things that visually distinguishes the Shelby GT500 from the GT is the aggressive angular front grille which just happens to be the thing they've softened on this one...
Come on guys & girls, don't just say it looks good just 'cos it's the latest Shelby, say "it'd look better with the old grille!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
P.S. Notice how I didn't look at the rest of it or even read anything about it because I was so offended by that grille!
Er, an update here: I just looked, what in God's name is going on with that slot in the hood that replaces the brilliant twin slots in the current car and HEAVENS ABOVE, what are they doing with those rear lights?? Bl**dy hell, this is sabotage, why not change the distinctive Mustang three-per-side rear lights with that over-complicated design.
This is a Ford that was designed by Chevrolet (Daewoo) to alienate existing buyers. Don't worry about the financial climate killing the Shelby, the makers will do that for you!
Yeah, we all know it'll look better in the metal but the current model will look better. Funny I think the same about the King Corvettes: the C6 Z06 was perfect and because they had to try and top the look for the ZR1, which they clearly couldn't do, they just stuck extra bits on it from Halfords and put a clear bit in the hood to show the engine which is exactly what it doesn't do.
Sorry I can't stop myself, what's with the "Made in China, extra chrome" front indicators (some pics showing them on the outside in a weak attempt to echo a 1970 Mach 1 while another pic shows the indicators on the inside which, hard to believe though it is, looks even worse) and the tea tray rear spoiler nicked off a 70's Porsche 911???!!!
I DO like the seats though.
Malc
Good old Ford USA, just like Ford Europe, they design something that looks great and "have" to update the new model year with something, anything, as long as it looks different to the previous one (oh sorry that isn't like Ford Europe already they just design wedges...)
What were they thinking, really? Say it again "What were they thinking?" One of the coolest things that visually distinguishes the Shelby GT500 from the GT is the aggressive angular front grille which just happens to be the thing they've softened on this one...
Come on guys & girls, don't just say it looks good just 'cos it's the latest Shelby, say "it'd look better with the old grille!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
P.S. Notice how I didn't look at the rest of it or even read anything about it because I was so offended by that grille!
Er, an update here: I just looked, what in God's name is going on with that slot in the hood that replaces the brilliant twin slots in the current car and HEAVENS ABOVE, what are they doing with those rear lights?? Bl**dy hell, this is sabotage, why not change the distinctive Mustang three-per-side rear lights with that over-complicated design.
This is a Ford that was designed by Chevrolet (Daewoo) to alienate existing buyers. Don't worry about the financial climate killing the Shelby, the makers will do that for you!
Yeah, we all know it'll look better in the metal but the current model will look better. Funny I think the same about the King Corvettes: the C6 Z06 was perfect and because they had to try and top the look for the ZR1, which they clearly couldn't do, they just stuck extra bits on it from Halfords and put a clear bit in the hood to show the engine which is exactly what it doesn't do.
Sorry I can't stop myself, what's with the "Made in China, extra chrome" front indicators (some pics showing them on the outside in a weak attempt to echo a 1970 Mach 1 while another pic shows the indicators on the inside which, hard to believe though it is, looks even worse) and the tea tray rear spoiler nicked off a 70's Porsche 911???!!!
I DO like the seats though.
Malc
Edited by malc350 on Monday 5th January 23:25
Edited by malc350 on Monday 5th January 23:27
If it helps the verall critique, the mouth looks like Lesley Ash and the seats look like they have skidmarks on them. The fact is the car is a total and utter bloater and will need every one of it's 540bhp to try to keep up with the supercharged GTs of this world.
There ae many German cues in this new design - the BMW swage line, the RS4 grille and the "I've just farted in my tights" rear end is vile. I'm not particularly against German design cues but not to such poor effect. After all, the 1969 Chevy Camaro took it's inspiration from the Merc 300SL which is a rather more successful and lofty goal than a BMW 3 series.
There ae many German cues in this new design - the BMW swage line, the RS4 grille and the "I've just farted in my tights" rear end is vile. I'm not particularly against German design cues but not to such poor effect. After all, the 1969 Chevy Camaro took it's inspiration from the Merc 300SL which is a rather more successful and lofty goal than a BMW 3 series.
LuS1fer said:
If it helps the verall critique, the mouth looks like Lesley Ash and the seats look like they have skidmarks on them. The fact is the car is a total and utter bloater and will need every one of it's 540bhp to try to keep up with the supercharged GTs of this world.
There ae many German cues in this new design - the BMW swage line, the RS4 grille and the "I've just farted in my tights" rear end is vile. I'm not particularly against German design cues but not to such poor effect. After all, the 1969 Chevy Camaro took it's inspiration from the Merc 300SL which is a rather more successful and lofty goal than a BMW 3 series.
Top man Wayne, I knew I could count on you to rebel against this "me too" look of the new chelby compared to the old Shelby.There ae many German cues in this new design - the BMW swage line, the RS4 grille and the "I've just farted in my tights" rear end is vile. I'm not particularly against German design cues but not to such poor effect. After all, the 1969 Chevy Camaro took it's inspiration from the Merc 300SL which is a rather more successful and lofty goal than a BMW 3 series.
Actually this does make life easier because when I finally recover from my current state of advanced poverty and have to decide between a GT500 and a C6 Z06 at least I won't have to consider the '08 GT500 thereby realising a ceiling to how much I could spend. Lovely.
Malc
malc350 said:
LuS1fer said:
If it helps the overall critique, the mouth looks like Lesley Ash and the seats look like they have skidmarks on them. The fact is the car is a total and utter bloater and will need every one of it's 540bhp to try to keep up with the supercharged GTs of this world.
There are many German cues in this new design - the BMW swage line, the RS4 grille and the "I've just farted in my tights" rear end is vile. I'm not particularly against German design cues but not to such poor effect. After all, the 1969 Chevy Camaro took it's inspiration from the Merc 300SL which is a rather more successful and lofty goal than a BMW 3 series.
Top man Wayne, I knew I could count on you to rebel against this "me too" look of the new chelby compared to the old Shelby.There are many German cues in this new design - the BMW swage line, the RS4 grille and the "I've just farted in my tights" rear end is vile. I'm not particularly against German design cues but not to such poor effect. After all, the 1969 Chevy Camaro took it's inspiration from the Merc 300SL which is a rather more successful and lofty goal than a BMW 3 series.
Actually this does make life easier because when I finally recover from my current state of advanced poverty and have to decide between a GT500 and a C6 Z06 at least I won't have to consider the '08 GT500 thereby realising a ceiling to how much I could spend. Lovely.
Malc
malc350 said:
Come on guys & girls, don't just say it looks good just 'cos it's the latest Shelby, say "it'd look better with the old grille!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Fair enough, you don't like it, but I do. Not just because it's new, but because........well....... I like it. 
Oh, and this'll be the inspiration for the grille.
Sort of.
Ford are abandoning their Global Rear Wheel Drive project. The idea was to join forces with Ford Australia (where the Falcon is RWD) to develop a new RWD platform (along similar lines to Chevrolet and Pontiac using the Australian developed Holden "Zeta" platform that became the Camaro and G8) That would have underpinned the 2014 Mustang, Aussie Falcon as well as replacements for the ancient Crown Victoria (think generic cop car) and produce production versions of the Interceptor concept and Mercury cousins.
In a shortsighted, kneejerk reaction to the current economic climate, they've canned this. The fear was that RWD cars can't be made economical. I say balls. If BMW/Merc and even blimmin' Hyundai can create economic RWD cars (they don't HAVE to be large displacement V6 and V8s, Ford, they can be diesels too )then so can Ford.
So, I'm sure this won't be the last Mustang, but the next generation car is likely to have to rely on an updated version of the current platform which is, don't forget, unique to the Mustang (it was supposed to be the same platform as the old S-Type Jag/Lincoln LS, the there where so many changes it was deemed a unique platform.)
As 2014 (the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang) isn't that far away, development is going to have to start pretty darn soon.
Ford are abandoning their Global Rear Wheel Drive project. The idea was to join forces with Ford Australia (where the Falcon is RWD) to develop a new RWD platform (along similar lines to Chevrolet and Pontiac using the Australian developed Holden "Zeta" platform that became the Camaro and G8) That would have underpinned the 2014 Mustang, Aussie Falcon as well as replacements for the ancient Crown Victoria (think generic cop car) and produce production versions of the Interceptor concept and Mercury cousins.
In a shortsighted, kneejerk reaction to the current economic climate, they've canned this. The fear was that RWD cars can't be made economical. I say balls. If BMW/Merc and even blimmin' Hyundai can create economic RWD cars (they don't HAVE to be large displacement V6 and V8s, Ford, they can be diesels too
)then so can Ford.So, I'm sure this won't be the last Mustang, but the next generation car is likely to have to rely on an updated version of the current platform which is, don't forget, unique to the Mustang (it was supposed to be the same platform as the old S-Type Jag/Lincoln LS, the there where so many changes it was deemed a unique platform.)
As 2014 (the 50th Anniversary of the Mustang) isn't that far away, development is going to have to start pretty darn soon.
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