And a word to those who may poo-poo the 10-speed autobox; actually, just don’t. Because it’s that good. Ford’s 10R80 Transmission is a serious, technologically advanced bit of kit; it combines some technologies from “autoclutch manuals” or “sequential manual gearboxes” in that it contains 10 forward ratios and employs internal clutches; a CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission, known as a highly efficient design; and a conventional automatic transmission in that it employs a torque converter. The 10R80 offers a standard Drive mode, where the transmission shifts up and down completely automatically, and smoothly, dependent on vehicle speeds and power demands employing all 10 ratios, plus a Sport mode which locks out the top overdrive ratios, offering the engine only lower and mid-range gear selections to maximize performance; plus manual control via steering wheel mounted shifter paddles, by which the driver can summon near instantaneous up-and down-shifts with the flick of the paddle (the right hand paddle controls upshift, while the left hand paddle commands race quality downshitfts). In standard Drive mode, the transmission shifts seamlessly up and down through the gears, always responsive to throttle commands by the driver; in Sport mode, the shifts are a bit firmer and more crisp, yet still fully automatic; when driven “on the paddles” in Manual Sport mode, shifting is of course up to the driver, again with firm, crisp, quick responding shifts. Hard core stick and clutch drivers will be highly impressed with this transmission, and as calibrated in this Shelby GT-S specification, it’s likely more efficient, faster on track, and easier to drive than a 6-speed manual. Unless your last name is Andretti, you can’t shift faster than this box. Period. Just to further test its ability to read the driver’s mind (and right foot) we summoned up a full throttle passing situation while on the cruising up to speed on the freeway yet still at about 50 MPH. The transmission shifted down from 7th or 8th gear into 3rd, and actually broke the rear tires loose once all 600 horsepower connected to the rear end; it was completely controllable, borderline violent, and silly fun – now, honestly, when was the last time you burned rubber on the freeway? Besides your chance to rent and drive a fabulous car in an iconic vacation spot, another benefit of the SIXT program is that it can offer you an extended test drive should you be considering the purchase of a new Shelby GT-S. La Violette summarized it, saying “of course our dealer will facilitate a test drive in any new Shelby product, but imagine being able to spend a day, a weekend or a week in one – it may be the ultimate expression of ‘try before you buy’ a new Shelby.” Like all Shelby products, each SIXT GT-S will wear its own Shelby American serial number, and be included in the official Shelby Registry. For those of you who purchase and collect Shelby rental models, you’ll be interested to know that Shelby American and SIXT have publicly announced that these cars will be sold off into private hands once this first phase of the Shelby/SIXT program has come to a close. That date has yet to be determined or announced, and will not likely come prior to summer 2020. Shelby American has earned a reputation for building the most exciting rental cars for over fifty years,” said Gary Patterson. “Our team is honored to make history with SIXT by offering the first supercharged V8 Ford Mustang available at multiple rental car locations across the US. The hot new SIXT edition 2019 Ford Shelby GT-S Mustang will make any trip an amazing and memorable adventure.”
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