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A meaner, reskinned snake ready
to take to the streets
The 2010 Shelby GT500 is the most-robust design and most-distinctive
model of the new 2010 Mustang lineup. “The design we chose
was a ‘flush’ hood where the fascia defines the entire
front of the vehicle,” Hameedi said. “That’s very
hard to execute from an engineering standpoint, but it really sets
the Shelby off as very, very different from the base Mustang.”
“This epitomizes the
ultimate Mustang,” added George Saridakis, Exterior Design
manager of the Mustang and Shelby GT500. “It’s all about
power and expressing power.”
Saridakis said his team took a cue
from the Shelby AC Cobra 427 with respect to the front grilles,
which are gaping and appear ready to swallow the road.
Another obvious difference for the
Shelby is the addition of racing stripes, which also will now be
available on the convertible. “Racing stripes made their mark
on 1960s-era Ford performance vehicles,” Hameedi notes. “That’s
something we feel is a key part of the Shelby performance DNA –
maybe more so than some of our competition.”
Rounding out the Shelby’s exterior
modifications are the unique signature coiled Cobra badges on the
front grille and front fenders, a more aggressive front splitter
and lower-drag rear spoiler, which added to improved aerodynamic
features, round out the exterior modifications. “We wanted
the spoiler raked back aggressively to minimize drag, but we also
have an integrated Gurney Flap that provides the downforce,”
Saridakis said. |
