2011 Shelby GT500 SVT Performance Package Details

New for the 2011 Shelby GT500 is the SVT Performance Package geared toward true performance enthusiasts wanting more out of their already potent 550 horsepower muscle car. The SVT Performance Package includes 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged aluminum wheels which are lighter, all-new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G tires, 3.73 rear axle gear, stiffer springs, performance shocks that are painted red, lowered ride height (11 millimeters in front and 8 millimeters in rear), rear spoiler with Gurney Flap, narrower over-the-top stripes and removal of stripe from shift ball.

The addition of the SVT Performance Package for the 2011 model has shown to improve lap time by 3.0 seconds per lap over the stock 2010 Shelby GT500 on a 2.3-mile test track.  Also 2011 Shelby GT500's with the optional package are able to pull 1.0 lateral g along with improved stopping distances of 7 percent over the base 2011 Shelby GT500.

“This car is track-ready. We really took the Shelby GT500 to the next level and went through every detail,” said Kerry Baldori, SVT global performance vehicle chief functional engineer.

The SVT Performance Package can be added to the coupe or convertible model for an additional price of $3,495 above the MSRP of the vehicle.

Check out the press release below for all the specifics.

Press Release:

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 8, 2010 – The new 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 has a surprise in store for true performance enthusiasts – an optional SVT Performance Package. One lap around the racetrack, and drivers will feel the difference.

Data show the 2011 coupe with the SVT Performance Package is 3.0 seconds faster per lap than the 2010 Shelby GT500 on a 2.3-mile test track. Cars with the optional package will be able to pull 1.0 lateral g, with stopping distances improved by 7 percent versus the base 2011 Shelby.

“More and more enthusiasts are putting their cars on the track to have some fun,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “It’s a great way to enjoy the performance of your car in a safe environment. No one likes to run at the back of the field, so a track-oriented package is a smart option for the serious Shelby GT500 owner.”

Tires make the difference
The SVT Performance Package features the first application of the all-new Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar G: 2, a tire that offers superb dry traction and precise handling, complete with a high-performance tread compound with more grip. SVT engineers worked directly with Goodyear to develop the new compound, and it’s only available on the 2011 Shelby GT500. The tire is unidirectional, corner-specific – meaning the directional tread must match its specific location.

“We wanted to couple the improved weight distribution and the improved handling of the vehicle with the new tire, and with that offer the customer one of the most advanced summer tires from a manufacturer,” said Jamal Hameedi, SVT chief nameplate engineer. “That led us down a road to the new tire. It’s instantly recognizable with an all-new tread pattern and construction.”

The new ultra-high-performance compound is made of a proprietary blend of race-derived  carbon black and high-stiffness polymers and resins that help deliver enhanced wet and dry handling performance on both the road and track. Asymmetrical, directional tread designs with massive tread blocks on the outboard side of the tire help enhance dry cornering grip. Sweeping Aquachannel™ grooves on the inboard side of the tread help move water. An innovative multi-radius mold shape offers precise handling and smooth, even wear.