Ford Shelby GT-H

• Competes with: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise
• Looks like: A lot nicer than the Cavalier we rented in Palm Springs
• Drivetrain: 325-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 with five-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: The auction lot might have one by 2009
• MSRP: More than $100 ... per day

Pack enough upgrade coupons, and you just might get to drive a Ford Shelby GT-H. Ford recently teamed with Hertz and automotive celebrity Carroll Shelby to produce the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H, a gussied-up Mustang GT available to a few lucky renters later this year. The GT-H picks up where Hertz's 1966 Rent-A-Racer program left off. Rent-A-Racer offered select customers a Shelby GT350 for $17 a day, but the program folded after too many renters took their cars to the drag strip. Hertz spokeswoman Paula Rivera said the company plans to discourage GT-H joyriders with stiffer insurance requirements, detailed inspections before and after the rental and a minimum age of 25 years old for renters (as opposed to 21 for most other Hertz cars). The Shelby GT-H will be available as part of Hertz's Fun Collection, which includes models such as the Mazda MX-5 roadster and Hummer H3 sport utility vehicle. Ford expects to produce 500 models. They will be available later this year at select Hertz locations, including Denver, Honolulu, Miami and San Diego. Hertz estimates GT-H rentals will cost more than $100 per day. Exterior Like the original Shelby GT350H, the hardtop Shelby GT-H sports a jet-black paint job with gold racing stripes down the center. Ford trades the Mustang GT's driving lights for a slatted grille insert, with the pony logo moved to the driver's side. Side scoops sit forward of the rear fenders, and a deck spoiler completes the package. Suspension improvements include unique dampers, springs and stabilizer bars, as well as a strut tower brace. The rear axle is tweaked to achieve a 3:55:1 ratio for faster acceleration than the Mustang GT's stock 3.31:1 ratio (with the automatic transmission). Seventeen-inch wheels are wrapped in P235/55ZR17 performance tires. Interior Standard Mustang GT fare includes a twin-cowl dashboard and a thin, three-spoke steering wheel. The GT-H adds custom sill plates and a dash panel with Carroll Shelby's signature. Under the Hood Shelby tuners begin with the Mustang GT's 4.6-liter V-8 and add cold air intake, a low-restriction muffler and high-performance exhaust. The resulting engine makes 325 horsepower and 330 pounds-feet of torque, an increase of 25 hp and 10 pounds-feet over the Mustang GT. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard. Safety Four-wheel disc antilock brakes are standard, as is a traction control system. source : car