| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Ford |
| Model | Shelby GT500 |
| Style | 2dr Coupe (5.4L 8cyl S/C 6M) |
| Base MSRP | $49,495 |
| Options on test vehicle | SVT Performance Package ($3,495 -- includes 19-by-9.5-inch front and 20-by-9.5-inch rear forged-aluminum wheels; P265/40ZR19 front and P285/35ZR20 Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G:2 tires; upgraded springs and shocks; 3.73 axle ratio; Shelby top and side stripes, rear spoiler with Gurney flap and gear shift knob), Electronics Package ($2,340 -- includes voice-activated navigation system with an in-dash screen and single-DVD/CD/MP3 player with DVD audio and video capability; HD radio; an internal hard disk drive for map, and point of interest (POI) storage and 10 gigabyte Music Jukebox; dual-zone automatic temperature control; integrated Sirius Travel Link that provides such information as real-time traffic and current local gas prices. (6-month Sirius Travel Link service included, service not available in Alaska or Hawaii).), Rapid Spec 820A ($0 -- vehicle with standard equipment), 50-State Emissions ($0 --standard on all units). |
| As-tested MSRP | $55,330 |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Supercharged, port-injected gasoline V8 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 5,409cc (330 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 8.4 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,250 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 550 @ 6,500 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 510 @ 5,400 |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission type | Six-speed manual |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I=2.97, II=1.78, II=1.30, IV=1.00, V=0.74, VI=0.50, Final: 3.73 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Solid-axle, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, trailing links, panhard rod, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric-assist, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 15.7 |
| Tire brand | Goodyear |
| Tire model | Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 |
| Tire type | Asymmetrical+Directional summer, high-performance |
| Tire size, front | P265/40ZR19 98Y |
| Tire size, rear | P285/35ZR20 92Y |
| Wheel size | 19-by-9.5 inches front and 20-by-9.5 inches rear |
| Wheel material | Forged aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 14.0-inch one-piece ventilated with 4-piston fixed calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 11.8-inch one-piece ventilated with 2-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 2.0 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 3.2 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 4.4 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 6.0 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 12.4 @ 116.0 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 4.1 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 26 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 104 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 68.2 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.97 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 50 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 83 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 74.0 |
| Acceleration comments | Slight bog at launch with traction control on. With traction control off, the GT500 is amazingly repeatable at launch. Best runs haze the tires from 3,000 rpm, then grip and go. Tired 2nd-gear synchro prolonged 1-2 shift, yet car still managed to lay rubber. Short shifter never balked or missed a shift, though it requires a deliberate shove. Clutch effort is remarkably low (in a good way). |
| Braking comments | Excellent first-stop numbers only improved until best numbers appeared on run 7. Pedal is not firm but is progressive and easy to modulate. Zero fade. No stink or smoke. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Lots of grip but these springs didn't care for the slightest pavement irregularity -- skittish. Steering effort is moderate but responsive and precise. ESP on is very lenient with its corrections. Slalom (ESP off): Snappy, precise turn-in, quick yaw response, but this car is begging for more progressive springs. As it is, it's rock hard and skittish to the point that it was difficult to keep focused on the cones. I came close (hit one cone), but I don't think there's a 70-mph run at this facility. Rewarding, enthusiastic, but fun? Maybe not. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 78.8 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 39.75 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2.9, headwind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 15 city/23 highway/17 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 14.6 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 16.0 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,820 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,800 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 57/43 |
| Length (in.) | 188.2 |
| Width (in.) | 73.9 |
| Height (in.) | 54.5 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 107.1 |
| Track, front (in.) | 61.9 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 62.5 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 37.0 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 42.4 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 29.8 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 38.5 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 34.7 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 55.3 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 51.6 |
| Seating capacity | 4 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 13.4 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front with head protection chambers |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
| IIHS offset | Not tested |
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