2011 Ford Shelby GT500 nearly sold out
It’s no secret once the 2011 Ford Mustang was promised to return with the legendary 5.0-liter V8 that the car and its many Ford variants would sell like ice cream in the Mojave desert. So what happens when we have a Mustang coupe with a V6 pumping out over 300hp and a Mustang GT producing over 400hp? You wonder just how awesome the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 had to be.
Well, the 550 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque (10 horsepower increase vs model year 2010) equipped 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 is just that–awesome. It’s so popular (and much better in all ways) that Ford is going to limit the 5,500 production set of the Shelby GT500 to maintain exclusivity of the car. This is great for would-be 2011 GT500 owners, but not so great if you happen to be the 5,501st person to place your order. What’s more daunting is that over 3,300 orders have already been filed to date, leaving under half of the production run up for grabs.
So what do you think about this, guys? Good move (production limitations) by Ford? Not so good? Let us hear it in the comments–in the meantime, check out the Press Release from Ford to get the rest of the scoop.
Press Release
2011 FORD SHELBY GT500 IN HIGH DEMAND, RAPIDLY APPROACHING PRODUCTION LIMIT
DEARBORN, Mich., July 12, 2010 – 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.
The new engine uses a state-of-the-art Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) liner coating, a process that applies a 150-micron composite coating that contains nanoparticles on the internal surfaces of engine cylinder bores, replacing cast-iron liners typically used in aluminum engine blocks. The Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation honored the inventors of the Ford-patented PTWA technology with the 2009 National Inventor of the Year Award.
Customers are showing an appreciation for the GT500’s performance on and off the track, as well as its many features.
Standard 2011 performance features include the 550-horsepower aluminum 5.4-liter V8 engine, a new 2.75-inch exhaust system, revised brake cooling and pedal box construction for more consistent brake pedal efforts and feel, and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). SVT worked hard to make EPAS better than the outgoing hydraulic steering system, with improved torque build-up and road feel.
New for 2011 is an optional glass roof providing customers with yet another open-air option that does not compromise the coupe’s versatility, headroom or climate-controlled environment. Three times more 2011 GT500s have been ordered with the glass roof compared to the base Mustang showing the popularity of this new feature.
Interior options have proven immensely popular, with almost 70 percent of the GT500s ordered with the Electronics Package, which includes voice-activated navigation, SIRIUS Travel Link™, HD Radio and dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control.
The new SVT Performance Package is also proving to be a popular option with just over 68 percent of coupe orders selecting the enhanced performance delivered through this all-new option. The package was developed to provide track performance. SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop all-new Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires that give this already great handling car supercar grip and control levels. The optional package also offers unique styling, staggered lighter wheels with 19-inch fronts and 20-inch rears, a numerically higher rear axle ratio, stiffer springs and dampers, and a lowered ride height. The SVT Performance Package is available on both the coupe and convertible.
Other standard items new for 2011 include high-intensity discharge headlamps, MyKey™ programmable vehicle key, integrated spotter mirror and fold-down rear headrests. andMercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
Tags: 2011, 2011 Mustang, Ford, gt500, Shelby Mustang, special editions, svt
Since this is a built to order car. I think they should just leave the numbers produced up to the buying customers. There won't be millions of these cars on the road. these are $55-60,000.00 cars and most mustang enthusiast are attached to the cars they have, have attained better performance with the help of the aftermarket, or just simply cant afford it. Its price is what makes it exclusive. I say build them as long as the money is there.
I don't think limiting production is a good idea. The cost alone will automatically limit the number of cars sold. Also, Ford should consider those of us not fortunate enough to buy a new GT500, limiting production will reduce the chance of us to find a used one. Those of us in this situation are just as loyal ford fans as thoughs that have deeper pocket books. In fact we make up a much larger group. They should consider just how many Fox Mustangs are still on the road because of us.
Abolutely agree with Mark Holmes. If I love mustangs and have the money, why should a company try to prevent me from buying one? The company is trying to manufacture collectibility. I thought mustangs were supposed to be a close group of enthusiasts, not car snobs trying to maintain an air of rarity to brag about their car being only 1 of "x" number made. It's really embarrassing for Ford and Shelby, as limiting the numbers doesn't by default make the car more desirable. If they only made 20 civic si's, I wouldn't rush to order one; the merits of the car sell itself. Another point is that Shelby has singlehandedly diluted his own name/image by whoring his name out ot so many versions of Shelbies. The gt500, gt-h, gt350, super snake, shelby gt, gt500 special edition, shelby f150, etc. What's next? Shelby fusion? Bottomline, this is a bad PR move for the classic pony car.
Please understand that the way the vehicle is manufactured “pride” and the allowable options are what make this vehicle unique not elitism. You want to make this vehicle more desirable offer more factory installed options like an R option to the street vehicle I E weight savings, carbon bits, suspension goodies, brake options, and still make it a street vehicle. Just think of the hype and love this vehicle will bring if it was in as many hands as possible. I never understood limited productions as it limits the possibility of another good referral. Limited productions are for Lambo loven pasta pin heads. I want to hear it for us blue collar guys! Give us every opportunity to get our hands on ones please!
I'll bet there are just as many GT500s on the lots than the Corvette ZR1s…which now have a rebate and cost twice as much.