Just when car enthusiasts were weeping in their beer over the probable demise, thanks to a bunch of useless bankers, of muscle cars, comes Ford with the Shelby Mustang GT500.The latest Shelby pays closer attention to quality and interior detail, Ford said during a preview of the car ahead of its launch at the Detroit auto show next week.

This will be the fourth Shelby Mustang since its introduction in 2007. The car was first produced by Ford in collaboration with former racing driver turned designer Carroll Shelby, who fashioned the first Shelby Mustang in the 1960'sThe Shelby might be a "high-end special" but Ford's hoping its pumped-up design, including race stripes on the seats, and performance will help show off the company's commitment to performance and quality.

Ford spokesman Alan Hall said the Shelby "polishes the Ford oval" because the car gives off good vibes about the company, particularly as its image may have been tarnished in recent months as its US counterparts prepare to receive billions of dollars in loans from the US Treasury.

Ford has said it doesn't plan to dip into loans that may be available from the US Treasury."Products such as the Shelby speak to diehard enthusiasts and help fire their passion about the brand," Hall said. "It shows that Ford still loves making hot cars - we're not just producing appliances."

The cooking 2009 Mustang, with a choice of V6 or V8 engine, was introduced in November at the Los Angeles auto show and Ford sold 3667 that month, down 50 percent from November 2007.Features on the Shelby include rear cameras to help with parking, a feature generally reserved for luxury cars. - Sapa-