Shnack.com Mustang News

2011 Shelby GT350 auction raises $200,000 for charity

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:20:56 -0500

A 2011 Shelby GT350 built by Shelby American fetched $200,000 at a live auction to benefit the Carroll Shelby Foundation and Garth Brooks’ Teammates For Kids Foundation at the Wynn Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, July 16. Bill Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation, won the bidding for the 45^th Anniversary Shelby GT350 Mustang prior to Brooks’ special musical performance put on for Foundation guests that evening.

Proceeds from the sale of the high profile muscle car benefitted deserving children through Brooks’ Teammates For Kids Foundation in association with The Carroll Shelby Foundation. Shelby and Brooks were on-hand to congratulate the fellow charity founder and award him with a new set of keys.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the new Shelby GT350 and we were able help a great organization like Teammates For Kids. It’s amazing to have two legends like Carroll Shelby and Garth Brooks teaming up and putting their heart-power into helping so many kids,” said Jenni Shreeves, executive director of The Carroll Shelby Foundation. “The funds we raised will be put to work helping our youth in the race for life.”

2011 Shelby GT500 in High Demand, Approaching Production Limit

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:11:43 -0500

Customer demand for Ford’s new 2011 Shelby GT500 is growing nearly as fast as the world’s fastest production pony car. More than 3,300 orders have been placed for the new Shelby GT500. To ensure exclusivity, U.S. sales of the 2011 Shelby GT500 will be limited to 5,500 units.

“We are pleased with the pace of retail orders for the 2011 Shelby GT500,” said Fritz Wilke, Mustang brand manager. “The car continues to be popular with sports car enthusiasts and collectors who are blown away by the increase in horsepower and performance. The limited production of the 2011 should make this year even more desirable.”

The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by a new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase over the 2010 model. The engine is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.

Mustang V6 Averages 48.5MPG, Runs 1457 Laps On A Single Tank of Gas

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:20:02 -0500

BRISTOL, Tenn., June 24, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang, which made history when it became the first car ever to deliver more than 30 mpg and 305 horsepower, has set a new record by running 1,457 laps at Bristol Motor Speedway while averaging 48.5 mpg.

The Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge was designed to demonstrate that a stock production Mustang V-6 could run 1,000 laps and 533 miles on a single of tank of fuel. With the aid of fuel efficient driving techniques by Ford engineers, the Mustang far surpassed its goal of 1,000 laps.

“To see a Mustang post average fuel economy of 48.5 mpg while running at Bristol is impressive,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The new V-6 engine along with the advanced six-speed transmission in the car is a key element in delivering both fuel economy and performance for Mustang.”

New Vaughn Gittin Jr.-Inspired Mustang RTR Package

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:17:36 -0500

The 2011 Ford Mustang is known for its incredible performance and impressive looks, and now there’s a new package that takes those qualities one step further – Mustang RTR. The dealer-installed package from Vaughn Gittin Jr., driver of the Monster Energy/Falken Tire 2011 Mustang GT in Formula Drift, and Ford Racing Performance Parts, is aimed toward a new generation of Mustang owners.

The performance upgrade comes with Ford Racing calibration with a high-flow filter and high-performance Falken FK-452 tires, which offer precise handling from five linear ribs and three-dimensional rounded blocks. Stiffer, wide steel belts offer greater tread rigidity, superior grip and high-speed stability, and high-tension carcass and high turn-up construction increase handling response and high-speed stability.

Motor Trend Puts 2011 GT at the Top

Thu, 13 May 2010 14:08:00 -0500

Motor Trend has pitted the 2011 Mustang GT against 6 other sport cars and the verdict is in: 2011 Mustang GT is the overwhelming winner. You can check out the video of the showdown and read individual comments on why each judge decided the way they did over at MotorTrend.

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2011 Ford Mustang GT a Class Leader with 26 MPG & 412 Horsepower

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:21:13 -0500

DEARBORN, Mich., March 16, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang GT, powered by a new 412-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine, adds yet another notch to its belt: an EPA rating of 26 mpg highway when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, giving it the best fuel economy in its class.

“The 2011 Mustang continues to exceed expectations in every category, and these fuel economy numbers are another chapter in an incredible story,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development. “To offer this kind of horsepower and class-leading fuel economy in a comfortable, beautiful, tech-savvy and affordable package – it’s really unprecedented.”

With the six-speed manual transmission, Mustang GT coupe is rated at 17 mpg city and 26 highway, while models with the available six-speed automatic achieve 18 mpg city and 25 highway.

2011 Mustang V6 Officially Certified at 31MPG - First Car With 300+ HP and 30+ MPG

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:12:46 -0600

DEARBORN, Mich., March 4, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang today breaks new ground, cracking the record books as not only the most fuel-efficient Mustang ever, but also the first production car in history to produce more than 300 horsepower and more than 30 mpg highway.

The Mustang’s official EPA ratings – completed this week – certify that coupe models equipped with the 305-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and available six-speed automatic transmission achieve 31 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. The standard six-speed manual transmission is rated at 29 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.

“The Mustang engineering team aimed high and, through hard work, achieved fuel economy numbers that elevate Mustang into a class by itself,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

“At no other time in Mustang’s history – for that matter, in automotive history – have we been able to talk about 305 horsepower and 31 miles per gallon. The Mustang truly is a no-compromises sports car,” said Kuzak.

Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valvetrain in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine’s overall efficiency.

Official 2011 Shelby GT500 Details and Photos

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:53:54 -0600

Ford Press Release:

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 8, 2010 – Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineers are taking high performance to a new level with the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, resulting in a car that has an all-new aluminum-block engine, even better driving dynamics and handling, improved fuel economy and more horsepower than ever.

“The SVT team continues to push the performance standards of the Shelby to even higher levels and better refinement,” said Jost Capito, director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development. “All the changes we made reflect a desire for even better handling and outstanding driving dynamics – from weight savings to improved balance.”

Weight savings, new technology headline all-new aluminum engine
The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by an all-new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 ft.-lb. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase versus the 2010 model. The engine also is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.

2011 Shelby GT500 Order Guide and Prices Surface

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:30:17 -0600

The 2011 Mustang GT and V6 order guide came out about a week ago and now the 2011 Shelby GT500 order guide has surfaced along with pricing. The 2011 Shelby GT500 coupe will have an MSRP of $49,495 and the convertible will have an MSRP of $54,495 with prices including destination & delivery.

The GT500 order guide reveals what we pretty much already knew, the 5.4-liter V-8 will now have an aluminum engine block.

Other equipment changes for the GT500 include standard HID headlamps, MyKey, Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), 19-inch forged aluminum wheel for convertible, integrated spotter mirror for side-view mirrors and Shaker 500 & Shaker 1000 audio system ($1,295) now come with single CD.

New options for the 2011 GT500 include the Glass Roof ($1,995) for the coupe and the addition of HD Radio for the Electronics Package ($2,340).

For those performance minded enthusiasts who want even more out of their 540 plus horsepower GT500 a special SVT Performance package is now available. The package includes 3.73 limited slip, unique 19-inch front and 20-inch rear painted forged aluminum wheels with Pirelli tires, Unique front and rear springs, rear shocks, gear shift knob, Shelby stripes, side stripes and spoiler with unique Gurney Flap. The package will set you back a cool $3,495.

For more check out the 2011 Shelby GT500 Order Guide in .pdf form.

Look What's New at Daytona

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:36:51 -0600

For the first time in 40 years, a Ford Motor Company car will be pacing the field for the NASCAR season-opening Daytona 500 when the 2011 Mustang GT, powered by the all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine, officially starts the race on Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway.

This latest version of Ford’s legendary muscle car will be a Race Red glass roof coupe with an all-new 5.0-liter V-8 engine capable of producing 412 horsepower, while delivering a class-leading 25 mpg on the highway.

The one-of-a-kind model will feature a special Daytona 500 paint scheme, Ford Racing suspension, strut tower brace and mufflers, unique painted wheels, and special interior treatment, including specially branded lit sill plates.

The 2011 Mustang GT Daytona 500 Pace Car model is one of only 50 special editions that will be built and sold to the public.