2007 Ford Shelby GT-500

The collaboration between Shelby and Ford cars Special Vehicle Team (SVT) is yielding an instant collector's Ford Shelby GT 500 that builds 475 horsepower in its 5.4-liter supercharged V-8. True to the original GT-500, it will be available both as a coupe and as a convertible when it goes on sale.

475 horsepower in an exotic supercar, much power in something as affordable as a Mustang. As expected of any of Shelby cars, the heart of the car is what's under the hood. The Ford Shelby GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter, 32-valve V-8 evolves from Ford's experience with tuning its modular, or MOD engines. Output is a brawny 475 horsepower.

The engine is force-fed an air-and-fuel mixture via a "Roots-type" supercharger providing 8.5 pounds per square inch of boost. The Ford Shelby GT500 uses a cast-iron engine block. Helping put the power to the pavement is a 6-speed manual gearbox. For the performance driver, its evenly spaced gears mean less "stirring" is needed to find the "sweet spot." The heavy-duty transmission has proven itself a willing companion to Mustangs in both road and track environments, including recent road-going Mustang Cobra and the new race-winning Mustang FR500C.

The Ford Shelby GT500 continues a legacy of all-around performance that made the original a world-class racer on tracks and road courses around the world. One glance shows this is not the typical Mustang Cobra. A sinister-looking front-end design includes wide upper and lower fascia openings with a functional air splitter. The upper intake sports the famous Cobra logo floating off-center in place of a centered galloping pony found on other Mustangs. On either side, slanting headlamp openings add to the dramatic front appearance. The bulging hood has heat extractors protruding near the leading edge, combining to provide improved airflow, As air passes over the hood, hot air from the engine compartment is drawn out through ducts attached to the hood extractors.

Inside, too, upgraded levels of flair and function abound. The locations of the speedometer and the tachometer are swapped to provide performance-oriented drivers with a better view of shift points while changing gears. Front seats have received additional lateral support to help keep the driver optimally positioned during cornering. The interior is offered in a choice of two colors, Charcoal Black or Charcoal Black and Crimson Red. Seating surfaces are leather with both interior treatments. Snake logos embossed in the seat backs finish the package. The GT500 will be built at the Ford-Mazda joint venture, AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock, Michigan.