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The Shelby GT500KR coupe comes with a custom carbon composite hood with scoops and stainless steel twist-down hood pins, a lower front air dam with chrome-trimmed functional brake ducts and large 14-inch Brembo front brakes. The suspension has been modified with an emphasis on race-inspired handling.
Drawing inspiration from the classic 1968 KR model, the Shelby GT500KR also features 40th Anniversary exterior badging, unique striping and a distinctive interior with Carroll Shelby-signature embroidered seats and a 40th Anniversary numbered dash plaque. The new Mustang is a collaboration between racing legend Carroll Shelby and Ford's Special Vehicle Team. The new head of SVT, Hermann Salenbauch, will be on hand for the unveiling. He replaces the father of the modern Mustang, Hau Thai-Tang, who was recently tapped to lead the automaker's product development efforts in South America.
Each KR model is identified by special 40th Anniversary KR badges on the fenders and grille, distinctive body colored mirror caps and Shelby lettering stretching across the front of the hood and along the rear portion of the deck lid. A special Shelby VIN tag is affixed to each vehicle, mounted in the engine compartment. The all-leather interior features Carroll Shelby signature embroidered headrests and an official Shelby CSM 40th Anniversary GT500KR dash plate mounted at the top of the center stack. Just like its namesake, the 2008 King of the Road packs a walloping dose of Ford performance power under its massive composite hood scoop. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is treated to a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540 and torque to 510 ft.-lbs., thanks to revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, upgraded from the standard GT500s 3.31:1. Gear selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter making its debut on the KR. Topped with a white ball, the new shifter is 25 percent shorter than the unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, sharper shifts. Ford SVT, Ford Racing and Team Shelby worked together to develop the KRs suspension tuning. Based on initial work by Ford Racing and the team at Shelby, often at Shelbys own facility on the grounds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ford SVT chassis engineers will apply fine tuning techniques to prepare it for the streets.
Chassis engineers worked closely with the engine department in a holistic approach to the development of the KR, tuning the suspension to best optimize the engine enhancements. We arent fixing our attention on one or two attributes, but working on the vehicle as a whole, concluded Gary Patterson of Shelby Automobiles. The throttle response, power delivery, exhaust note, and handling should all gel together to deliver a total driving experience. The KR will feature unique spring rates, dampers, stabilizer bars, and strut tower brace, all designed specifically for the KR, to deliver the precision handling package.
Unwilling to wait for the impending pony car war to heat up, Ford is extending Mustangs leadership position by feeding the enthusiast demand for more models, features, performance parts, and special editions. Ford has committed to at least one new Mustang feature vehicle per year. For 2007, it is the Shelby GT, and for 2008, there will be at least two including the Shelby GT500KR and the previously announced Mustang Bullitt. Fords Steed for Every Need strategy currently offers four horsepower options for Mustang, with pricing from $19,995 for a 240-hp V-6 Mustang coupe to $46,500 for a 500-hp Shelby GT500 convertible. Ford has also introduced several special packages on Mustang further increasing its unique offerings, including the Pony Package and the California Special. In addition, Ford Racing offers a complete catalog of performance parts for Mustang fans, from custom wheels and exhausts to the complete, turn-key Ford Racing Mustang FR500C race car. As a result, Ford offers Mustang enthusiasts the ability to buy, modify and drive the steed that perfectly fits their need. 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR Specifications and Design Highlights 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 producing estimated 540-horsepower and 510 ft.-lbs. of torque Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack featuring revised calibration and cold air intake system 6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio Ford Racing performance exhaust system Unique performance suspension tuning: springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars Shelby-designed GT500KR 20-inch wheels (18-inch version for production) Ford Racing short-throw shifter and front strut tower brace Unique carbon composite hood featuring classic Shelby KR design Front brake cooling ducts Shelby lettering across the front edge of hood and rear decklid 40th Anniversary badges on the front quarter panels Carroll Shelby signature embroidered headrests and floor mats Official Shelby CSM 40th Anniversary GT500KR dash plate |
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