Shelby GT500KR

Building on the high performance foundation of GT500, engineers from Ford SVT and Shelby Automobiles sought to build an even more powerful car: the Shelby GT500KR. Debuting as a 2008 model, the GT500KR, "KR" being an abbreviation for "King of the Road", pays homage to the original 1968 Shelby Mustang of the same name. To back up its name, the GT500KR features a host of new components and performance enhancements over a standard GT500. Under the hood, the GT500KR uses the same supercharged 5.4 L DOHC V8 as the standard GT500, but the KR's engine has been tuned to make 540 hp (403 kW) @ 6250 rpm and 510 lb·ft (691 N·m) of torque @ 4500 rpm, gains of 40 hp and 30 lb·ft of torque, respectively. While the Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual transmission remains the same, the GT500KR also benefits from a more aggressive 3.73:1 final drive ratio. To improve handling and help offset the car's front-heavy weight distribution, the GT500KR features a Ford Racing strut tower brace and uniquely tuned struts, shocks, and springs. Finally, to maximize the GT500KR's performance gains, measures were taken to keep the car's weight in check. Through the use of things like a carbon fiber hood and a revised exhaust system, the overall weight of the GT500KR is actually 22lbs lighter than a standard GT500.^[18] For all of its performance enhancements and exclusivity as a limited production car, the GT500KR launched with a significant MSRP of $79,995.