Ford and Shelby build the ultimate for 2008 - GT500KR!

[JohnnyGMachine]

It's good to be a Mustang guy these days. The Mustang GT is a great performance value and the GT500 is making all Ford fanatics drool with envy. As if the GT500 isn't enough, another legendary Shelby Mustang is making a comeback - The Shelby Mustang GT500KR!

Here's some details from stangnet.com....

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.

Shelby GT500KR arrives in spring 2008 in an exclusive run of only 1000 units.

[XcYZ]

Looks bad ass, love the hood.

[T Bell]

it does look bad ass. I have one gripe with Ford, though. Why can't they build a NA motor for their cars? I'm glad they have a blower in their lineup but everytime something "new and grand" comes out, it has a supercharged 4.6L or a 5.4L. Is the mod motor pooped out for horses already? What gives.

[pdq67]

I'm happy they make it, but I can't afford one so I will just have to stick w/ my smelly old about 550hp 496, '67 Camaro 350SS/RS car that I've restified mechanically and made darn near modern underneath..

At least it's paid for..

pdq67

[G-Body]

Very sweet car But something that ford has always done is supercharge every car they consider there FAST cars Hell anyone can bolt on a super charger and be fast, Lightning, cobra etc. and i know all you ford guys will disagree but i have always found it pretty interesting how chevy has always built and designed real Horsepower and still smoked most of these mustangs,
With that said, Wow you would swear this mustang was right out of the 60's really cool big thumbs up

[T Bell]

Just like I said. Is there any Ford guys out there that has the inside scoop who can shed some light on this for me?

[JohnnyGMachine]

I have spoken to the Ford guy at Ford who is the Modular Motor/Team Mustang engine Engineering Manager a couple of times. He's a great guy, very enthusiastic about making the Mustang all it can be and more. I have asked the same question about why they cannot make an N/A V8 that makes big power like the LS motors in the vettes for the Cobras. There's a lot factors, you know with anything and car manufacturers that it's not just a simple answer. We talked about it for awhile but I think what it comes down to mostly is the bean counters. I could sense a little frustration with some things from him but overall you could tell that he and his engineers were really excited about what they could do and want to do with the new Mustangs.
Honestly, I think at this point the supercharged mod motor is becoming very legendary to the Mustang crowd. It all started with the 03-04 Cobras or what we affectionately refer them as "Terminators". That blower whine is just music and it's intimidating sounding. Heck, throw a Kenne Bell 2.5 blower on there, upgrade the fuel system a little and throw a tune at it and you're putting out over 600 hp to the wheels no problem. Like the 5.0, the supercharged cammer motor has a kind of following to it I think. Every Mustang guy I know including me would like to own an 03-04 Cobra "Terminator". As a matter of fact the top 5 "Mustangs I would like to own" goes usually like this....

1 - 03-04 Cobra
2 - 1993 Mustang Cobra
3 - 87-93 LX Notchback
4 - ....
5 - ....

Something like that.

J

[fsstnotch]

Unfortunately, the ford dealerships will mark the price on these up so high that most won't be able to afford them and those that can afford them will have other, better, options for the price(2008 Z06 ). I have to admit that I am a diehard ford guy but I would buy a new z06 before I bought a gt500 for the price factor alone. The MSRP on the gt500 is just under $45k. Bet you can't even find one from a dealership under $67k. For 67k I buy the z06 hands down, since it's the same price and out performs the gt500 in every aspect, unless I already own an original gt500 and want the newer model to compliment the old.

I can tell you this, if I had 70k just laying around to buy/build a car. it wouldn't be a new gt500. Price gouging is rediculous! Sure does look good though! I wonder if the Chevy dealerships will gouge the Camaro prices like Ford does.

Josh

[TonyG]

I am still not fond of Shelby's name taking the place of the Cobra... But hopefully SVT will be kicking it out again when this 3 yr contract runs out. I have told people before that if I were to get a Shelby, I would remove all Shelby badging and add an SVT badge on the trunk and move the snake in the grill to the center... No stripes.. solid black.

Right now, my favorite new mustang is the Parnelli Jones/Saleen.


and here is my current Cobra.

[hectore3]

I've also thought about Ford not producing N/A motors with big power. In the end this particular 'mod motor" is a truck motor thats been pressed into service. Down the road if this "Hurricane V-8" ever gets off the ground the LS guys will have something to think about.