05-20-2010, 08:36 AM
When Ford’s engineers reworked the 2011 Ford Shelby GT500, their goal was to make the 2011 car 3 seconds per lap quicker than the outgoing 2010 GT500. With improved brakes, improved suspension and a more powerful motor (that actually weighs 120 pounds less), they were confident in their ability to beat last year’s car. And beat it they did, to the tune of nine seconds per lap at Virginia International Raceway. No, that’s not a typo: the 2011 Ford Shelby GT 500 is nine seconds per lap faster than the outgoing 2010 Shelby GT500.
On the down side, the new GT500 is more expensive than the one it replaces, by $1,920. Still, that may just make it the world’s biggest bargain in a track day hoonmobile: where else can you get a nine second improvement per lap for less than $2,000?
The engineers at Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) recently did some track testing of the new 2011 Shelby GT500 at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). This was to test the cars ultimate limits at one of the worlds most technical and grueling road courses. Vehicle Dynamics engineer Gene Martindale pilots the 2011 Shelby GT500 coupe equipped with the new aluminum 550hp, 5.4-liter engine and the optional SVT Performance Package. With a lap time of 2:58.48, the 2011 Shelby GT500 with the SVT Performance Package is over eight seconds a lap faster around VIR than the 2010 model. That's a lap time comparable to six-figure supercars!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR7PIZhFU...r_embedded
On the down side, the new GT500 is more expensive than the one it replaces, by $1,920. Still, that may just make it the world’s biggest bargain in a track day hoonmobile: where else can you get a nine second improvement per lap for less than $2,000?
The engineers at Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) recently did some track testing of the new 2011 Shelby GT500 at Virginia International Raceway (VIR). This was to test the cars ultimate limits at one of the worlds most technical and grueling road courses. Vehicle Dynamics engineer Gene Martindale pilots the 2011 Shelby GT500 coupe equipped with the new aluminum 550hp, 5.4-liter engine and the optional SVT Performance Package. With a lap time of 2:58.48, the 2011 Shelby GT500 with the SVT Performance Package is over eight seconds a lap faster around VIR than the 2010 model. That's a lap time comparable to six-figure supercars!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR7PIZhFU...r_embedded
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