Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (2009) CAR review

It might have a Shelby name but the old man isn't really building Mustangs these days. The real engineering heroes behind the facelifted GT500 are the blokes at Ford’s SVT (Special Vehicle Team).

The original 2007 car, you might recall, was powered by a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 delivering 500bhp to the rear wheels. It was quick, but hardly sophisticated, overweight and the interior was bad enough to make a Neighbours set designer blush.

So what’s new about the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500?

Using 2008’s GT500KR (King of the Road) special edition as a base, Ford has given the standard car the same 540bhp and boosted torque from 480lb ft to 510lb ft. The sprint to 60mph falls slightly to around 4.5sec, the V8 rumble is even better thanks to a cone air filter the size of a jumbo popcorn bucket and the slow gearshift is satisfyingly precise. The final drive is shorter but sixth longer than before to help with fuel economy.

So it feels mighty quick unless you’re in top and you have to think carefully about deploying all 540bhp in the wet. Fortunately there’s a multi-stage traction control system and a lot of throttle pedal travel to help you unleash the right amount of power.

What about those inconvenient bits between the straights?

This time the bits between those straights aren’t quite so inconvenient. There are revised spring and damper rates, tweaks to the steering system and a bespoke Goodyear tyre which help improve grip and steering feel. We’re not talking reference quality feel here, but to anyone who’s ever driven an original ‘60s Mustang, it would be a revelation. You’re not left totally in the dark about what’s going on, it's well weighted and usefully responsive around the straight ahead.

Sadly the 2010 revisions don’t extend to getting rid of that Bronze Age-tech live rear axle which still causes the GT500 to hop about on bumpy B roads and generally ruin the ride. If you’re trading up from a 2.8 Capri though, you’ll love it.