"And the BMW M6 tested in this issue [see page 68], which is also rated at 500 horsepower and weighs 12 more pounds than the GT500, ran the quarter in 12.4 seconds at 121 mph. "

Steve Saleen, founder of Ford tuner Saleen Inc., has shared some insider details on next next-generation 2009 Ford Mustang. Mr. Saleen spoke with John Breaux of CarCrazy at the 2006 Cruisin the Coast Auto Show in Biloxi, Mississippi, where he disclosed preliminary specs of the new car.

Saleen said he recently spoke with Ford CEO Alan Mulally, who said the 2009 GT Mustang will get a bump from 300 hp up to 350 horsepower. Mulally also said the GT500 would get get a modest 15 horsepower increase over its already impressive 500 horsepower.

The 2009 Mustang will not be a complete redesign, but rather a facelift of the existing model. The overall body shape is expected to stay the same, but the front and rear should see extensive reworking to keep things fresh.

Shelby Automobiles, Inc.(SAI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI.PK), will celebrate the 40th anniversary (1967-2007) of the Shelby GT500 Mustang with a limited edition upgrade component package. The new package will kick-off a new Shelby Modification Center at SAI's Las Vegas headquarters. Through the leadership of legendary racecar driver and Cobra creator Carroll Shelby, the limited Shelby GT500 40th Anniversary packages will include distinct visual elements and performance upgrades. The Shelby GT500 40th Anniversary package will make its debut at the Ford Motor Company Booth at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas.



"The Shelby GT500 has always had a mean street presence with power to back it up," said Carroll Shelby, Chairman of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. "We've added more performance and more in your face looks to the most powerful factory Mustang ever built."



The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition packages will be installed at SAI's new modification center. Customers will deliver their GT500's to SAI' World Headquarters where each vehicle will be customized with the anniversary package.



"Our Mustang business has expanded rapidly through the development and production of the Shelby GT-H and the upcoming Shelby GT," said Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. "The mod center will allow us to do special exclusive cars for a limited group of customers and allow for continued research and development for mainstream production programs."



If looks could kill:

The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition package includes a host of components to let others know that something special is prowling the streets. On the menacing outside components include carbon fiber lower front fascia splitter and mirror covers; aluminum hood grille inserts; deck lid SHELBY letter kit; sequential tail lamps; front and rear brake duct kits; Anniversary stripe package (convertible models); special optional 20" American Racing Shelby Razor wheels and various 40th Anniversary badging including side, grille and trunk badges.



Inside there is a consecutively numbered dash plaque, special 40th Anniversary Shelby door sill plates with consecutive number; floor mats; Shelby snake door handles; center dash mounted gauge cluster with three Carroll Shelby/Autometer carbon fiber gauges (boost, oil and fuel pressure); 40th Anniversary arm rest cover and for convertibles a light bar with solenoid activated light system.



The engine bay receives a consecutive number plate authenticating the package and installation from SAI and special billet aluminum caps and covers for power steering, radiator, brake master cylinder, windshield washer fluid bottle and oil dip stick.



Backing it up:

With 500 horsepower out of the gate, the Shelby GT500 can run like no other pony that ever grazed a field. The 40th Anniversary Package ups the ante with additional power by utilizing the Shelby Signature Borla exhaust system. The cat-back system is designed to maximize power and give a nice robust "big-block" sound.



Getting the power to the ground is one thing. Being able to utilize what you want when going into the corners is another. One key element to the 40th Anniversary package is the new Shelby/Eibach suspension upgrade for GT500. This new coil over systems allows for adjustability for both straight line and road course tracks. The new spring/shock combination lowers the front a maximum of 0.8-inch and the rear 1.6-inches for a very aggressive appearance and lower center of gravity. In addition bigger anti-way bars are included for reduced body roll. The result is flat precise cornering without a harsh ride.





"We have designed the 40th Anniversary to honor the special legacy of the GT500 and provide a limited few a very special car," said Boylan. "This limited edition package is only the first for the mod shop and the first upgrades from SAI for the GT500. There is much more to come."



Available in the first quarter of 2007, the 40th Anniversary Limited Edition will be sold exclusively through Shelby Automobiles Las Vegas headquarters and a national dealer network. Interested buyers can contact Shelby Automobiles at (702) 942-7325 or visit the company's web site at www.shelbyautos.com for more info.

SPOTTED THIS FORD MUSTANG GIUGARO CONCEPT TODAY IN ITALY...I WASN"T ABLE TO GET ANY OTHER PICTURES, because the *sshole standing behind the car in this picture started chasing me down...the interior is pretty sweet and the front looks like the new camaro.?.?!? The only really cool feature was that the entire roof was an integral part of the windshield, therefore an entire piece of glass like the porsche targa, but without the Targa "T"
She sounded pretty good too.
Alex

Little is known about the Giugiaro Mustang Concept, except that it's set to debut at the L.A. Auto Show later this month. A member of MustangForums.com, however, hit the jackpot when he snagged the Italian Stallion at a refueling station in Italy. Some are saying the Giugiaro Mustang will be a thinly veiled preview of the 2010 Mustang. The photographer who snapped this pic says the front actually looks a lot like the new Camaro, which we interpret to mean that the headlights are likely tucked under the hood and partially obscured. He also says that the concept's roof is all glass that flows right into the windshield. We'll have to wait until L.A. to find out more, since that sober looking fellow standing in between the lens and its subject prevented our guy from getting any more shots. That's a dead sexy rump, though, and those rear fenders look inspired by the Shelby GR-1 Concept. The only other info we could find on the Giugiaro Mustang Concept is from Ward's Auto, which claims the car will come with the most powerful Mustang engine developed so far.

Thanks for the tip, Jim!

[Source: MustangForums.com]