Shelby GT500KR is 900 horsepower of American muscle
Shelby celebrates 60th anniversary with new GT500KR
The most powerful Mustang you can order directly from Ford is the Shelby GT500. It currently stands at the top of the Mustang range featuring an aggressive aero body kit, improved handling, and 760 horsepower from a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. Best of all, you can get one from Ford Philippines for PHP 7,760,000.
Shelby isn't done with the GT500, though. The company has released an even more powerful and better handling version of the Mustang with the GT500KR. The KR stands for “King of the Road”, aptly named so to speak.
Starting with the stats, the KR uses the same supercharged 5.2-liter V8 as the standard GT500. However, Shelby fitted a new twin-screw Whipple supercharger that displaces 3.8-liters on its own. Together with the other upgrades that include a larger throttle body, a cold air intake, a new intercooler, and an upgraded exhaust, the GT500KR now produces at least 900 horsepower. Shelby didn't disclose the exact power output apart from saying “900 plus”.
To match the added power, Shelby also improved the GT500KR's handling by fitting height-adjustable front and rear springs, upgraded sway bars, and a retuned Magneride suspension. Lightweight 20-inch forged aluminum Shelby wheels are also standard wrapped in grippy Michelin Pilot Sport tires.
Since some customers will be taking their cars to the race track, the GT500KR also benefits from aerodynamic upgrades. The most obvious is the new vented carbon fiber hood, which helps reduce weight, as well as aid in engine cooling. A front splitter, rear diffuser, and Gurney flaps, all in carbon fiber, were also fitted for improved downforce. All GT500KRs also come with lower rocker stripes.
Other aesthetic upgrades include billet engine caps and hood pins. Inside, there are special edition floor mats, Shelby seats, and 60th anniversary badging to commemorate Shelby's anniversary.
Shelby didn't say what the performance figures are of the new GT500KR. However, we're certain it will be faster than the standard GT50, both on the drag strip and the race track. Only 225 units of the GT500KR will be built.
Already bought a standard GT500? You can still bring your car to Shelby, and they'll upgrade it to KR specs. Don't expect it to be cheap, though. The upgrade will cost USD 54,995 or roughly PHP 2,746,000. That said, we wonder if any Shelby GT500 owner in the Philippines would be making the upgrade.
