Ford begins production of 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR

30 April 2008

Las Vegas: Ford Motors have started production of the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR, unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. The 1,000 units limited edition GT500KR Mustangs will be available soon at select Ford dealerships and would be customised by hand and delivered to each customer in an enclosed transporter, just like the legendary Ford GT, the company stated.

The GT500KR or the 2008 ''King of the Road'' is the fourth limited-edition Mustang introduced in the market by Shelby Automobiles and Ford since resuming their collaboration in 2001. Interestingly, the production date of the GT500KR also happens to be the 85th birthday of  Carroll Shelby, owner of Shelby Automobiles.

Shelby, who was actively involved in the GT500KR's development, said, ''My energy and passion for performance products has always been strongest when I am working with Ford. I'm always looking to up the ante when it comes to performance, and bringing back the 'King of the Road' Mustang is just what we need.''

Thee 2008 ''King of the Road'' is powered by a Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which is enhanced with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack to boost horsepower to an estimated 540-hp and torque to 510 ft-lbs.

The additional power is generated through the revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit. The Shelby GT500KR cold air intake seal was designed in unison with the new carbon fiber hood to prevent hot engine compartment air from reaching the air intake.

According to Ford, to fine-tune the GT500KR's chassis - stiffened 50 per cent to deliver increased body control, the SVT engineers and Shelby put the GT500KR through a rigorous testing program developed specially for SVT products, including a 12-hour racetrack durability test. The result is a powerful car with a combination of increased performance capability and comfortable driving experience on road.