The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR is the most powerful Mustang of all,
says Ford. It'll be on display at the New York auto show next week and will go on sale next spring. (Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)
The Shelby GT500KR will have a limited run of 1,000 units and hit showrooms next spring, Ford said. It uses the same supercharged 5.4-liter V8 that powers the 2007 Shelby GT500 Cobra Coupe, but squeezes out roughly another 40 horses thanks to a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack. (Ford has not set a official output number yet). The Shelby GT500KR is equipped with a custom carbon composite hood with scoops, air-extractor vents and stainless steel twist-down hood pins, a lower front air dam with chrome-trimmed functional brake ducts, and 14-inch Brembo front brakes. The suspension has been modified to improve handling. The polished 20-inch wheels seen here are for show only. The production vehicle will come with 18-inch wheels of a similar design.
The Shelby GT500 Cobra Coupe has a base price of $41,675, including a $745 destination charge. Although prices have not yet been announced on the three new products, Ford insiders tell IL that the Shelby GT500KR is expected to have an MSRP of around $50,000. However, plan on spending closer to $60,000 by the time it hits showrooms. Ford dealers are able to command $10,000 over sticker for the GT500 Cobra Coupe - a vehicle with an annual production run of 10,000 units. In addition, the Ford Shelby GT-H, the so-called Hertz Mustang, typically sells for over $50,000, even when it has 9,000 miles on the odometer. "Baby boomers have no ceiling when it comes to Mustang pricing," said one Ford executive. "They have an insatiable appetite for Mustang."
All of the mechanical upgrades seen on the GT500KR model will be available piecemeal from Ford Racing and Shelby when the KR goes on sale in the spring. The only exception is the carbon-composite hood, which will not be available through a catalog, at least not initially. Of course, more than a 1,000 will be made to provide replacement parts for the genuine GT500KRs and we anticipate some crafty upfitters will get their hands on a few of those. The signed commemorative plaque on the inside of each genuine GT500KR will, of course, not be available.
Ford says it doesn't yet know how many 2008 Ford F-150 Foose Editions it will build. But the truck, which was designed by customizer and television personality Chip Foose, will make its debut this fall. It features a lowered ride height, 22-inch wheels, racing stripes and a new grille with horizontal bars. It is powered by a 450-hp supercharged Triton V8 that delivers a whopping 500 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Ford says it's the most powerful F-150 since the 2004 Ford SVT Lightning. Ford expects this custom F-150 to start at around $50,000.
The 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition with a 5.4-liter V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission will hit showrooms in the fall. It is the brainchild of hip-hop DJ Funkmaster Flex and will also be produced in unspecified limited numbers. Because this Expedition is largely an appearance package with no engine work, Ford insiders predict it will be priced at around $40,000.
This custom Expedition gets a two-tone Colorado-red-and-black paint job with orange pinstriping and chrome badging. Other touches include a custom front fascia with integrated foglamps, side skirts, rear fascia, and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. Additional details include a 340-watt Audiophile sound system, heated and cooled front seats and an optional nav system, power liftgate, and rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
What this means to you: The Mustang inches ever closer to the magic 600-hp number while the Dearborn automaker tries to recapture its cachet with limited-edition models.
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