2008-2009 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR
The Ford Shelby GT500KR, revealed at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, was released in the spring of 2008. The car is powered by a 540 horsepower 5.4-liter (330 CID) supercharged V-8 version of the base GT500 engine with functional Cold Air Intake and unique calibration. SVT and Shelby announced that 1,000 40th Anniversary Editions will be built for the U.S. in 2008, with another 571 units in 2009. This 1,571 production run matches that of the original 1968 GT500KR. In total, 1,712 units were produced, with the remaining units going to Canada, export markets and military sales.
All KRs were built by Auto Alliance International on the normal Mustang production line and then shipped to Shelby Automobiles Incorporated (SAI) where final assembly was completed. SAI was the manufacturer of record.
The Shelby GT500KR features a carbon fiber composite hood with functional scoops and vents, twist-lock hood pins modeled on the original 1968 KR, a unique carbon fiber splitter, carbon fiber mirror caps, and functional brake cooling ducts. The suspension was tuned by SVT with unique spring rates, dampers, stabilizer bars, and strut tower brace and was sourced from Ford Racing. Unique Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires were developed for the KR with a unique compound. With the same tread pattern as the Eagle F1 Supercar tire on the 2007-2009 GT500 they can only be identified by a unique Goodyear “Wingedfoot” emblem on the sidewall.
The 2008-09 GT500KR draws on styling cues from the classic 1968 “King of the Road” GT500KR model, and the 2008 model includes “40th Anniversary” badging; both years will have availability of standard GT500 colors with “LeMans” stripes, and Carroll Shelby signature embroidered seats. The GT500KR’s starting price was $120,000.95
The GT500KR was featured prominently in the new Knight Rider television series on NBC. One of the main characters of the show was KITT, an advanced Artificial Intelligence housed in a GT500KR. Also, in the return of the show, KARR was also a GT500KR.
Specifications
- Front engine, RWD, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
- Supercharged DOHC 32 valve V8 engine
- 330 CID (5408 cc) displacement
- Power: 540 hp (410 kW) (547 PS)
- Torque: 510 ft·lbf (690 N·m).
- 6-speed manual transmission
- 3.73 differential ratio
- 18 x 9.5″ Alcoa wheels with unique Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires (front: P255/45ZR18 rear: 285/40/ZR18)
- 3,800 lb (1,700 kg) curb weight
- 107.1 in (2,720 mm) wheelbase
- 188×73.9×54.5 in (4.78×1.88×1.38 m)
- Weight: 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
- Top Speed: 155 miles per hour (249 km/h) – 2010 MY governor limited
Performance
- 0-60 mph (0–97 km/h):4.4, 1/4 mile: 12.6s @ 119 mph (11.58 @ 122 mph (196 km/h) on drag radials)
Super Snake
Starting in 2008, previous 2007 Shelby GT500 Mustangs could be sent to Carroll Shelby’s Special Performance Plant in Las Vegas Nevada to be rebuilt into a Super Snake, for an additional cost of $27,995. The Super Snake will offer a 605 hp (451 kW) (at the engine) 5.4 L Kenne Bell twin-screw supercharged version with “over 725 hp” will also be available, without warranty and offer a 0-60 mph runs in 3.5 to 3.7 seconds. The Super Snake is inspired by the 1967 GT500 Super Snake, a car made by Carroll Shelby for Goodyear Tires.
The Super Snake also comes with a variety of other performance, handling and cosmetic changes including badging, gauge pod, 20″ Alcoa wheels, fibreglass ram-air Super Snake hood, stripes, carbon fiber front splitter and skirts, larger 6-piston Baer brakes, front and rear brake cooling ducts, complete track setup suspension, aluminum driveshaft, 3.73 differential gears and cat-back exhaust system.
Prudhomme Edition Super Snake (2009-)
It is a limited (100 units) drag racing package for 2007-2010 Ford Shelby GT500 cars, named after Don Prudhomme. The engine is rated 800 hp on race fuel or 750 hp on 93 octane pump gas. It includes a Kenne Bell supercharger and modified air intake sticking out of the hood in the tilt front end, a five-point Impact safety harness and a Borla side exhaust system, front and rear adjustable BMR racing suspension and drag tires with optional street tires, side lower rockers are incorporated.
The package has MSRP of $100,000 (not including car).
The Prudhomme concept car went on sale in 2009 Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction. The vehicle was sold with winning bid price of $275,000US (before buyer premium).
