I heard through the grape vine that my earlier HP predictions were approx 50-60 too high.
GT500KR at New York
- Thread starter Emich_XR
- Start date
dgussin1 said:
:shrug:
Heard that too. I guess they are going for a Viper ACR type deal. You wont even have to question which car to buy. It had better at least look more agressive if they expect to sell them.
I hope it's not more than 5-7k more than the current msrp.bluestreak89 said:
Randy Fontenot
Banned
I think thats wishingful thinking. I'm thinking more too 8/10,grand more,then MSRP. That would be insane if we could get this 500KR,for around $50,000.00,with all options if there are any for this unit. But we will see soon. I'm calling my dealer tomorrow too see if i can put a deposit on one. I'm not waitting for it to be advertised now we're taking orders from the dealers. I'll attemp too lock one in ASP!!!!!!!!!!
oke:
I wonder if it has that Lightning concept trucks intake cooling system? Temperature control using that 30-45 secong cooloing blast using the A/C system.
Less than 550 horsepower??:dw:
Shelby GT???:bored:
Shelby GT???:bored:
The GT500KR's wheels contain the words "Shelby" and in another location "GT500KR"
• Celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra GT500KR, Ford and Shelby collaborate on a new “King of the Road” Mustang with the 2008 Shelby GT500KR.
• Shelby GT500KR features an estimated 540-hp 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack, 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, short-throw shifter, and unique suspension tuning.
• Exterior design draws inspiration from the classic Shelby KR Mustangs and features unique carbon composite hood, wheels, and special 40th Anniversary badging and unique striping.
• Built at the Dearborn, with final assembly at Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas, the Shelby GT500KR arrives in spring 2008 as an exclusive run of only 1000 units.
<IMPORTANT NOTE TO OUR READERS: MORE INFORMATION IS COMING>
(Dearborn, MI) TheGT500Source.com - Ford and Shelby Automobiles are at it again, this time in celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR. To be unveiled at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR—the most powerful version to date—will once again mark Mustang as “King of the Road.”
“I’m proud to once again be a part of an historical moment, bringing back the ‘King of the Road’ Mustang, and collaborating with Ford SVT and Ford Racing” said Carroll Shelby. “I’m committed to continuously upping the ante when it comes to performance, and it’s great to be doing it with Ford.”
“The return of the Shelby GT500KR further establishes Mustang as the true king of the pony car segment,” said Robert Parker, manager of Ford Car Brand. “With the unveiling of the new KR we are staying true to the promise we made our loyal Mustang fans to continue Mustang’s prowess by bringing new, exciting and more powerful Mustangs to market.”
Forty years ago, at the 1967 New York Auto Show, Ford introduced the most powerful Shelby Mustang ever. Like every Mustang that bore the name ‘Shelby,’ the GT500KR carries with it its own unique story.
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1968 Shelby GT500KR.
The 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR was a mid-year introduction, based on the 1968 Shelby GT500. Ford added ‘Cobra’ to the Shelby’s moniker to help usher in the beginning of a new performance era at the company. The Cobra name referred to the new 428 Cobra Jet V-8 that was planted under the KR’s custom fiberglass hood. It was the engine that would once again vault the Mustang to the head of the pack.
Ford conservatively rated the 428 CJ at 335-horsepower, but in reality it made more than 400-horsepower and 440 pounds-feet of torque. The KR model was also equipped with a modified suspension and was offered both in fastback and convertible models. Ford dealers sold 1,570 GT500KR models in 1968, 1053 fastbacks and 517 convertibles.
While the name “King of the Road” may have been the perfect fit for the world’s most powerful Mustang, it also provided Shelby the chance to steal the thunder from cross-town rival General Motors. As the legend goes, Shelby learned that was planning to introduce a high-performance model and call it “King of the Road.”
Since he had always wanted to use the name, and as one to never miss an opportunity, Shelby set his organization in gear, registering the name and designing new badging for
the Cobra Jet-powered Mustang, christening it the GT500KR, and bringing Ford’s “King of the Road” to market before GM ever got a chance to apply the name to their product.
Thoroughbred Pedigree
Just like its 1968 namesake, the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR builds on the strong foundation of the current Shelby GT500, packing 40 more horses under its custom-designed carbon fiber hood and crowning it the most powerful production Ford Mustang ever produced.
The modern Shelby Mustang line-up started with the 2007 Shelby GT500 coupe and convertible. With the recent launch of the 2007 Shelby GT, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR becomes the third production high-performance Mustang brought to market through the relationship of Shelby Automobiles and Ford. Ford and Shelby Automobiles also partnered up with Hertz to produce a special limited run of 500 Shelby GT-H “rent-a-racer” Mustangs available only for rent.
The 2007 Shelby GT500 has been the most successful vehicle program in the 14-year history of Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and that success has opened the door for more performance collaborations with Shelby Automobiles and Ford Racing. Working together, these three performance powerhouses are driving Mustang momentum on the street and on the racetrack. Dealers cannot keep the cars on their lots, customers are clamoring for more, and racers are bringing home championships.
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Shelby Mustangs have already achieved some impressive highlights showcasing an enthusiast demand that is unmatched in the business:
• The first 2007 Shelby GT500 available to the public sold for $600,000 dollars at the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ benefiting the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation.
• 2007 Shelby GT VIN#1 also went for $600,000 at charity auction, this time at the 2007 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction (and the winning bidder also took the opportunity to purchase VIN#2 at MSRP).
• Shelby GT-H coupes auctioned off to Ford dealers after completion of Hertz rental duty consistently average $50,000, with high auction bids of $90,000.
The 2008 Shelby GT500KR will be produced in an exclusive run of 1000 units. It will be built alongside all Mustang models at the Auto Alliance International assembly plant in Flatrock, MI, and then shipped to Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas, NV. There, the Shelby team will transform each car into a certified Shelby GT500KR. The 2008 model will begin arriving in Ford dealers in the spring of 2008.
Crowning the New “King of the Road”
Doug Gaffka, Ford SVT chief designer, and his team worked closely with Carroll Shelby and the Shelby team to make certain the new KR was crafted in the spirit of the original Shelby muscle car.
“This was a great effort between Ford and Shelby Automobiles,” said Gaffka, “The Shelby team and I were in constant contact melding Carroll’s classic design cues with some modern concepts and ideas and finessing them into the design of the new KR.”
Gary Davis Vice President of Production for Shelby Automobiles was key to defining the look of the custom designed carbon composite hood for the GT500KR. His knowledge of the original GT500KR helped sculpt a modern interpretation of the original’s bulging hood scoop, a visual indication of the extra horsepower packed beneath it. The hood is secured by a pair of stainless steel, twist-down hood pins. The composite front valance houses a pair of chrome-trimmed, functional brake ducts to cool the large 14-inch, vented Brembo front brakes.
Side stripes are true to the original KR right down to the font used for the ‘GT500KR’ lettering, while the classic LeMans-style striping that races down the center of the car have been deleted between the leading forward edge of the hood scoops and the front of the hood, accenting the scoops and giving the KR its distinctive face.
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“That was Shelby’s idea,” said Gaffka. “It’s a special touch that adds some down-the-road differentiation. There will be no doubt that it’s a ‘King of the Road’ Mustang that’s filling up your rearview mirrors.”
The show car wears exclusive, Shelby-designed 20-inch, forged, polished aluminum wheels with special custom center caps, mounted on Pirelli rubber. Production models will receive with an 18-inch version of the design.
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.
The KR’s 5.4-liter V-8 Gets the Royal Treatment
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.
Calibration modifications include advancing the ignition timing as well as re-mapping of the electronic throttle settings to provide quicker throttle response for better off-line and mid-range acceleration. Increased throttle response will be met with a sharper roar from the Ford Racing-inspired exhaust system.
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 GT500’s 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 KR’s suspension tuning. Based on initial work by Ford Racing and the team at Shelby, often at Shelby’s 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.
“The production Shelby GT500 was maximized to deliver the perfect balance between ride and handling,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief nameplate engineer, Ford SVT. “In that same ride versus handling continuum, the KR will lean heavier towards all-out handling while still making it drivable on the street.”
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 aren’t 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.
Mustang Momentum Cannot be Stopped
Unwilling to wait for the impending pony car war to heat up, Ford is extending Mustang’s 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.
Ford’s ‘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
Here are all the pics!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.stangnet.com/Ford-Mustang-News/2008-Shelby-GT500KR-070330.html
Wow sweeet hood and wheels ehhh
http://www.stangnet.com/Ford-Mustang-News/2008-Shelby-GT500KR-070330.html
Wow sweeet hood and wheels ehhh
asperformance
Banned
Can you say $100K plus. If the G.T 500 is still in the 20K over, I am sure the KR will be much more, with only 1000 units.
FourCam I dont think people will be rushing to trade in the GT500 on one either.
I just exitced that ford is exitced about the mustang, its good to see cars that will be legends in the future being built today.
The Termi agrument was saying that it was same type just that when you visit a lot of internet boards a lot of Termi owners do make that type of comparission.
Some people just have a hard time addmitting that the car they got is not the top dog.
Before Termi owners get mad I do want one very badly.
I just exitced that ford is exitced about the mustang, its good to see cars that will be legends in the future being built today.
The Termi agrument was saying that it was same type just that when you visit a lot of internet boards a lot of Termi owners do make that type of comparission.
Some people just have a hard time addmitting that the car they got is not the top dog.
Before Termi owners get mad I do want one very badly.
Randy Fontenot
Banned
Matt called me from Ford Performance inreference to the KR. It will have 540HP,same blower,upgraded supension,brakes that are air-cooled,composite-Hood,with shelby lettering going across it like the 68-model,also on the rear,unique badging,inside and out side on the body panels,Carol Shelby Signature also and a unique -palque with his signature,and #,also a unique shifter. There will be only 1000KRs,built,and by Shelby America. Looks like they will convert the Gt500,into a KR,from Carol Shelbys plant in vegas. It will have 20,inch wheels at the New-York-Show,but will be built with a unique-18,inch wheel. Well thats basicly the info.,that Matt told,and will be released in earlt spring of 2008. Does not have the MSRP yet ,but will call me when it's released. Well you know what that means better get your order in.I allready called my dealer to put my name down,waitting for the amount of deposit,too send.Hopefully there luck enough to get one. I sure will try. Good luck to everybody that attempt to order one as i did. The ADM,i hope is not to rediclous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It will be the 40th anniversary shelby.
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nothing about using the GT's alluminum 5.4. I'm also assuming the 540hp is derated to not take away from the GT, not that the power difference could do it.
And Im sure you will pay whatever the ADM is right:shrug:asperformance said:
Im happy that this KR is nothing special
540hp-Is that a joke? The suspension, exhuast, and composite hood are all things that can be easily changed out on your existing GT500 as well as the 373s. I say buy a GT500 and use your own parts to build your own KR, because it will cost less than msrp on the new KR (probably) and definitely will cost less when you factor in the ridiculous ADMs that we all know will follow.
540hp-Is that a joke? The suspension, exhuast, and composite hood are all things that can be easily changed out on your existing GT500 as well as the 373s. I say buy a GT500 and use your own parts to build your own KR, because it will cost less than msrp on the new KR (probably) and definitely will cost less when you factor in the ridiculous ADMs that we all know will follow.
chuckstang said:
Do you consider the GT500's horsepower a joke? If not, then no.
chuckstang said:
do you run a business chuck? if you do not, you have no clue what precautions ford and any other business needs to account for when they release a new product just to save thier ass! this does not even take into account all the federal regulation ford has to jump through to get this car ready for production!
if you ask me all you deflamitory comments are the real joke!:bash: your the ipitomy of the lazy bums who life handed to them on a silver platter!
You guys are pathetic. This car is nothing more than a GT500 with a power pack number whatever it is.
I have not read anywhere that it has something unique like an AL block, IRS, lightweight body parts (except for the hood and possibly the wheels but doubt it)
Anotherwords the only benefit of purchasing one of the 1000 KRs Ford/Shelby will build is the exclusiveity and perhaps the warranty. I say that because you can go buy a standard GT500 and mod it the same way and save yourself tons of money and have a faster car as well and it is unique to exactly how you want it.
If you look back to all previous Cobra R's, they were unique in such a way that one could not go out and buy a regular Cobra and mod it to be a Cobra R. For instance the 2000 Cobra R had a unique motor and tranny that was no where to be found in the 99-01 Cobra. The 95 R had a uniqe motor as well that one could not find and you also had to a have a dam racing license to buy one!
The 93 R is perhaps the closest to this new KR because the 93 R was not too different from a standard Cobra in 93.
Sorry that took so long for me to explain but I think it made very good sense and even the slower members will understand my thinking.
I am not bashing, I love this new KR but I guess I am hoping/waiting to see if they build a "true" GT500 "R"
I have not read anywhere that it has something unique like an AL block, IRS, lightweight body parts (except for the hood and possibly the wheels but doubt it)
Anotherwords the only benefit of purchasing one of the 1000 KRs Ford/Shelby will build is the exclusiveity and perhaps the warranty. I say that because you can go buy a standard GT500 and mod it the same way and save yourself tons of money and have a faster car as well and it is unique to exactly how you want it.
If you look back to all previous Cobra R's, they were unique in such a way that one could not go out and buy a regular Cobra and mod it to be a Cobra R. For instance the 2000 Cobra R had a unique motor and tranny that was no where to be found in the 99-01 Cobra. The 95 R had a uniqe motor as well that one could not find and you also had to a have a dam racing license to buy one!
The 93 R is perhaps the closest to this new KR because the 93 R was not too different from a standard Cobra in 93.
Sorry that took so long for me to explain but I think it made very good sense and even the slower members will understand my thinking.
I am not bashing, I love this new KR but I guess I am hoping/waiting to see if they build a "true" GT500 "R"
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