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Check out this cool little review (and listen to the awesome sounds) of the new 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 as it tears up some curves.

I just had the chance to see the 2011 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 up close and personal at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show and let me tell you, it is quite an impressive update!  The 2010 GT500 was a substantial body and interior upgrade and the 2011 provides a reworked powertrain.  For more photos from the show, head on over to our gallery!

The 2011 GT500 packs a 550 horsepower aluminum block V8 and new 2.75 inch exhaust that give it the sweet sound you hear in the videos above.  Now all I need to do is find a doctor who will help me sell that spare kidney I have been carrying around all these years…

News about the 2011 Mustang GT500 has begun to leak out from all corners of the internet and the news is sounding more and more sweet.  First came news that the ’11 GT500 would feature an aluminum block.  Then came word that a glass roof would be an option.  Now we have rumors spreading that the car will feature 10 more horsepower than the 2010 model, bringing the total up to 550.  There is also an SVT Performance Package available that offers up a 3.73 rear gear ratio, 19″ and 20″ front and rear wheels respectively, and special stripes.  For more details, as well as a teaser video, head on over to Autoblog.

If the documents over at ModularFords.com are to be believed, then the 2011 GT500 is up for some pretty serious upgrades.  For starters, the 5.4L supercharged V8 will be swapping its iron block for a lighter aluminum one.  This should help out with the issue that many an automotive writer has written about: too much weight over the front wheels.  HID headlamps will be standard, EPAS has been added to supposedly improve the fuel economy, and MyKey is standard for those of you who will be letting your kids drive your new Shelby…sick.  There are also some upgrades that will help out those who intend to take their Shelby to the track.  A package will be offered called the SVT Performance Package, which comes with upgraded wheels, tires, shocks, springs, shift knob, stripe package and spoiler with Gurney flap.  Can’t wait to get my hands on one!

(Image source: Ford)

Car and Driver gets to have all the fun!  In the video above they take the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport out on the track to see which is the superior sports car.  The results?  You’ll just have to watch and see!  Or you can head on over to Car and Driver if you feel like reading about the comparison instead.

The video above is a pretty funny piece of work.  I have always loved the old Godzilla movies and this video does them well, including the terrible voice-dubbing.  It’s an instant classic, even if the GT500 does lose to the GT-R.  I mean, how can you compete with a computer controlled car?

(Video source: Motor Trend)

Jalopnik has had the opportunity to test the 2010 Shelby GT500 and their overall impression is a pretty good one.  I do have one gripe, and that is how they bashed the cars’ interior.  They said it had cheap plastics, a cheesy cue ball shifter and the aluminum on the instrument panel was tacky.  Really?  When the new Mustang was revealed for 2010 everyone loved how much the interior had improved, but apparently it’s not good enough anymore.  I happen to find the GT500 interior to be very sharp and it’s good to see Ford putting higher quality materials in their cars and not being afraid to try new things.

(Image source: Ford)

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 (Ford)

Having been a member of the 2010 S197 launch team here at Ford I can tell you myself that this car is incredible.  Everything from the exterior styling, to the interior refinement, to the increased power, is designed to let passersby know that this is one mean automobile.  Well now people don’t have to listen to my rants about the car, they can read about it themselves in Autoblog‘s latest review.

Even if you’re not really in the market, you should head to dealers this spring to check out this car.  When they describe the sounds the car makes when starting up, they are not kidding.  Even if you were across the plant floor, you knew when a Shelby started up.  The sound is unmistakable.  Truly proud to be a part of such an incredible vehicle.

Stop by AmericanMuscle.com and check out their large selection of Mustang Superchargers.

2010 Shelby GT500 (Ford Motor Company)

This April, at the spring Barrett-Jackson show in Palm Beach, the first retail 2010 Shelby GT500 will be auctioned offwith all proceeds being donated to worthy causes.  The car will be painted/striped in a color combination supposedly chosen by Carrol Shelby himself, Kona Blue with white stripes (see picture.)  A fairly common event, the car is expected to easily reach into 6 figures.  Two other Mustangs will also be there, the GT convertible and coupe concepts from the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.  These cars foretold the modern retro styling that was to come in the form of the 2005 Mustang.  The cars look sharp, yet somehow dated…possibly because their styling has been around for over 6 years now.  For the full story, head on over to Autoblog.