Ford and Shelby Automobiles are at it again, this time in birthday party of the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR. Unveiled on the 2007 New York International Auto Show, the 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR - the maximum effective Mustang to date - will another time mark Mustang as 'King of the Road.'
"I'm proud to another time be part of an ancient moment, bringing returned the 'King of the Road' Mustang, and taking part with Ford SVT and Ford Racing" stated Carroll Shelby. "I'm dedicated to constantly upping the ante with regards to overall performance, and it is excellent to be doing it with Ford." "The go back of the Shelby GT500KR in addition establishes Mustang because the proper king of the horse automobile segment," stated Robert Parker, supervisor of Ford Car Brand. "With the revealing of the brand new KR we're staying proper to the promise we made our dependable Mustang enthusiasts to retain Mustang's prowess through bringing new, interesting and greater effective Mustangs to marketplace."
The 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR turned into a mid-yr introduction, primarily based totally at the 1968 Shelby GT500. Ford added 'Cobra' to the Shelby's moniker to assist usher withinside the starting of a brand new overall performance technology on the company. The Cobra call noted the brand new 428 Cobra Jet V-eight that turned into planted beneathneath the KR's custom fiberglass hood. It turned into the engine that might another time vault the Mustang to the pinnacle of the pack.
Ford conservatively rated the 428 CJ at 335-horsepower, however in truth it made greater than 400-horsepower and 440 pounds-ft of torque. The KR version turned into additionally ready with a changed suspension and turned into provided each in fastback and convertible fashions. Ford sellers offered 1,570 GT500KR fashions in 1968, 1053 fastbacks and 517 convertibles.
While the call 'King of the Road' may also were the correct suit for the world's maximum effective Mustang, it additionally supplied Shelby the danger to thieve the thunder from cross-city rival General Motors. As the legend goes, Shelby discovered that GM turned into making plans to introduce a excessive-overall performance version and get in touch with it 'King of the Road.'
Since he had usually desired to apply the call, and as one to by no means leave out an possibility, Shelby set his enterprise in gear, registering the call and designing new badging for the Cobra Jet-powered Mustang, christening it the GT500KR, and bringing Ford's 'King of the Road' to marketplace earlier than GM ever were given a danger to use the call to their product.
Thoroughbred Pedigree
Just like its 1968 namesake, the 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR builds at the robust basis of the Shelby GT500. Packing forty greater horses beneathneath its custom-designed carbon composite hood, the GT500KR is the maximum effective manufacturing Ford Mustang ever produced.
The present day Shelby Mustang line-up began out with the 2007 Shelby GT500 coupe and convertible. With the release of the 2007 Shelby GT, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR turns into the 0.33 manufacturing excessive-overall performance Mustang added to marketplace thru the connection of Shelby Automobiles and Ford. Ford and Shelby Automobiles additionally partnered up with Hertz to provide a unique restricted run of 500 Shelby GT-H "rent-a-racer" Mustangs to be had simplest for rent.The 2007 Shelby GT500 has been one of the maximum a success automobile packages withinside the 14-yr records of Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and that fulfillment has opened the door for greater overall performance collaborations with Shelby Automobiles and Ford Racing. Working collectively, those 3 overall performance powerhouses are using Mustang momentum on the road and at the racetrack. Dealers can not hold the automobiles on their lots, clients are clamoring for greater, and racers are bringing domestic championships.
Shelby Mustangs have already carried out a few astounding highlights showcasing an fanatic call for this is unrivaled withinside the business:
- The first 2007 Shelby GT500 to be had to the general public offered for $600,000 greenbacks on the 2006 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ reaping rewards the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation.
- 2007 Shelby GT VINno 1 additionally went for $600,000 at charity public sale, this time on the 2007 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction (and the prevailing bidder additionally took the possibility to buy VIN#2 at MSRP).
- Shelby GT-H coupes auctioned off to Ford sellers after final touch of Hertz condo responsibility continually average $50,000, with excessive public sale bids of $90,000.
The Shelby GT500KR could be produced in an distinct run of a thousand devices and could start arriving in Ford sellers withinside the spring of 2008.
Crowning the New "King of the Road"
"This turned into a excellent attempt among Ford and Shelby Automobiles," stated Gaffka. "The Shelby group and I have been in consistent touch melding Carroll's conventional layout cues with a few present day principles and thoughts and finessing them into the layout of the brand new KR."
Gary Davis, vice chairman of manufacturing and product improvement for Shelby Automobiles, performed a key position in defining the appearance of the customized carbon composite hood for the GT500KR. His information of the authentic GT500KR helped sculpt a present day interpretation of the authentic's bulging hood scoop, a visible indication of the more horsepower packed below it. The hood is secured through a couple of stainless steel, twist-down hood pins. The composite the front valance homes a couple of chrome-trimmed, practical brake ducts to chill the huge 14-inch, vented Brembo the front brakes.
Side stripes are proper to the authentic KR proper right all the way down to the font used for the 'GT500KR' lettering, even as the conventional LeMans-fashion striping that races down the middle of the auto has been deleted among the main ahead fringe of the hood scoops and the the front of the hood, accenting the scoops and giving the KR its distinct face. "That turned into Shelby's idea," stated Gaffka. "It's a unique contact that provides a few down-the-street differentiation. There could be absolute confidence that it is a 'King of the Road' Mustang it really is filling up your rearview mirrors."
The display automobile wears distinct, Shelby-designed 20-inch, forged, polished aluminum wheels with unique custom middle caps, installed on Pirelli rubber. Production fashions will arrive with an 18-inch model of the layout.
Each KR version is diagnosed through unique fortieth Anniversary KR badges at the fenders and grille, distinct frame coloured replicate caps and Shelby lettering stretching throughout the the front of the hood and alongside the rear part of the deck lid. A unique Shelby VIN tag is affixed to every automobile, installed withinside the engine compartment.
The all-leather-based indoors capabilities Carroll Shelby signature embroidered headrests and an professional Shelby CSM fortieth Anniversary GT500KR sprint plate installed on the pinnacle of the middle stack.
The KR's 5.4-liter V-eight Gets the Royal Treatment
Just like its namesake, the 2008 'King of the Road' packs a walloping dose of Ford overall performance electricity beneathneath its large composite hood scoops. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-eight is handled to a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that reinforces horsepower to an predicted 540 and torque to 510 ft.-lbs., way to revised ignition and throttle calibration and a chilly air consumption machine that replaces the inventory unit.
Calibration changes consist of advancing the ignition timing in addition to re-mapping of the digital throttle settings to offer faster throttle reaction for higher off-line and mid-variety acceleration. Increased throttle reaction could be met with a sharper roar from the Ford Racing-stimulated exhaust machine.
Power is brought to the rear wheels thru a Tremec TR6060 six-velocity guide transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, upgraded from the usual GT500's 3.31:1. Gear choice is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter making its debut at the KR. Topped with a white ball, the brand new shifter is 25 percentage shorter than the unit at the GT500 offering for crisper, sharper shifts.
Ford SVT, Ford Racing and Team Shelby labored collectively to expand the KR's suspension tuning. Based on preliminary paintings through Ford Racing and the group at Shelby, frequently at Shelby's personal facility at the grounds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ford SVT chassis engineers will practice exceptional tuning strategies to put together it for the streets.
"The manufacturing Shelby GT500 turned into maximized to supply the correct stability among trip and coping with," stated Jamal Hameedi, leader nameplate engineer, Ford SVT. "In that equal trip as opposed to coping with continuum, the KR will lean heavier in the direction of all-out coping with even as nonetheless making it drivable on the road."
Chassis engineers labored intently with the engine branch in a holistic method to the improvement of the KR, tuning the suspension to first-rate optimize the engine enhancements.
"We are not solving our interest on one or attributes, however operating at the automobile as a whole," said Gary Patterson, vice chairman of operations for Shelby Automobiles. "The throttle reaction, electricity delivery, exhaust note, and coping with need to all gel collectively to supply a complete using experience."
The GT500KR will function specific spring rates, dampers, stabilizer bars, and strut tower brace, all designed mainly for the KR, to supply the precision coping with package.
Mustang Momentum Cannot be Stopped
Unwilling to look ahead to the upcoming pony automobile conflict to warmth up, Ford is extending Mustang's management role through feeding the fanatic call for for greater fashions, capabilities, overall performance elements, and unique editions. Ford has dedicated to at the least one new Mustang 'function' automobile in step with yr. For 2007, it's miles the Shelby GT, and for 2008, there could be at the least which include the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR and the formerly introduced Mustang Bullitt. Ford's 'Steed for Every Need' method presently gives 4 horsepower alternatives for Mustang, with pricing from $19,995 for a 240-hp V6 Mustang coupe to $46,500 for a 500-hp Shelby GT500 convertible.
Ford has additionally added numerous unique programs on Mustang in addition growing its specific offerings, which include the Pony Package and the California Special. In addition, Ford Racing gives a whole catalog of overall performance elements for Mustang enthusiasts, from custom wheels and exhausts to the whole, turn-key Ford Racing Mustang FR500C race automobile.
As a result, Ford gives Mustang lovers the capacity to buy, alter and force the steed that completely suits their need.
2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR - Specifications and Design Highlights
- 5.4-liter supercharged V-eight generating an predicted 540-horsepower and 510 ft.-lbs. of torque
- Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack proposing revised calibration and bloodless air consumption machine
- 6-velocity guide transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio
- Ford Racing overall performance exhaust machine
- Unique overall performance suspension tuning: springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars
- Shelby-designed 'GT500KR' 20-inch wheels (18-inch model for manufacturing)
- Ford Racing short-throw shifter and the front strut tower brace
- Unique carbon composite hood proposing conventional Shelby 'KR' layout
- Front brake cooling ducts
- 'Shelby' lettering throughout the the front fringe of hood and rear decklid
- fortieth Anniversary badges at the the front sector panels
- Carroll Shelby signature embroidered headrests and ground mats
- Official Shelby CSM fortieth Anniversary GT500KR sprint plate
