Ford ups ponies in new Shelby Mustang

Gerry Malloy

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The first of a limited production run of 1,000 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR drove off the production line at Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas on Jan. 11, Carroll Shelby's 85th birthday.

The "King of the Road" Mustang is the fourth limited-edition Mustang that Shelby Automobiles and Ford have brought to market since resuming their collaboration in 2001. It builds on the performance and success of the 500-horsepower Shelby GT500 – until now, the most powerful production Mustang ever.

"My energy and passion for performance products have always been strongest when I am working with Ford," said Shelby. "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."

Each Shelby GT500KR begins life as a GT500, built at AutoAlliance International Inc., in Flat Rock, Mich. From there, the cars are shipped to Shelby Automobile's facility in Las Vegas, where a Ford Racing performance pack, exhaust system and short-throw shifter are installed.

The GT500KR is also fitted with specific body, chassis and interior components, hand customized, and delivered to each customer in an enclosed transporter, just like the legendary Ford GT.

The car incorporates a modern interpretation of the original's bulging hood scoop, a visual indication of the extra horsepower packed beneath it. To save weight, the hood borrows design elements from the ducted aluminum/carbon fibre clamshell on the Ford GT, and it is secured by a pair of stainless steel, twist-down hood pins.

According to Gary Davis, vice-president production for Shelby Automobiles, "We aren't fixing our attention on one or two attributes, but working on the vehicle as a whole. The throttle response, power delivery, exhaust note and handling all work together to deliver a great total driving experience."

To fine-tune the GT500KR's chassis, which was stiffened 50 per cent, Ford 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 car's aerodynamics were fine-tuned with a new front splitter and hood. It also has a revised rear spoiler to add more than 20 kg of downforce over the front axle and to move the centre of aero pressure forward in order to improve high-speed balance and downforce under high-speed braking.

The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4 L supercharged V8 is enhanced with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540 hp and torque to 510 lb.-ft. The added power comes thanks to revised ignition and throttle calibration, and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, compared with the GT500's 3.31:1.

The GT500KR rides on all-new Goodyear tires, which make their North American debut exclusively on this new Mustang. The Supercar F1 tire, made of a new compound, resulted from a special collaboration between SVT and Goodyear.

Bottom line: the GT500KR sets new performance standards for Mustang handling and straight-line performance on the racetrack, slalom course and skidpad, says Ford.

Each GT500KR model is identified by a special 40th Anniversary badge on the fenders and grille, distinctive body coloured mirror caps and Shelby lettering stretching across the front of the hood and along the rear portion of the deck lid. A special Shelby VIN tag is affixed to each vehicle, mounted in the engine compartment.

Delivery will begin in the spring through selected dealers.

VOLVO ROLLS OUT R-DESIGN

Volvo will introduce an optional R-Design package for the C30, S40, V50 and XC90 models for the 2009 model year. R-Design includes model-specific design cues developed specifically for buyers who want a refined and sporty look for their cars, the company says.

"The possibility of tailoring one's car to suit personal tastes is becoming increasingly important to car buyers today," noted Gerry Keaney, senior vice-president, marketing, sales, and customer service at Volvo Car Corp.

Customers will have a choice of exterior colours, and all cars will include an R-Design badge in the grille accompanied by a range of specially designed exterior and interior details.

Exterior features include a satin matte-finish grille and mirror caps, colour-co-ordinated bumpers and lower side mouldings, rear or roof spoiler and five-spoke aluminum wheels.

Inside, the C30, S40 and V50 will feature off-black seats with the cushion and backrest in contrasting cream-coloured leather and an R-Design logo embossed on the backrest.

Other interior details include a leather-trimmed steering wheel with R-Design logo, a unique instrument cluster, aluminum sport pedals, a specially designed aluminum centre-stack and door inlays, gear selector with aluminum inlay and unique floor mats.

Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date, later in 2008.

GM DUMPS MEDIUM-DUTY TRUCKS

Having sold its heavy-duty truck unit to Volvo in 1987, General Motors has now agreed to sell its medium-duty truck unit to Navistar.

The deal will give Navistar the right to build and distribute Chevrolet and GMC brand vehicles in the Class 4 to 8 range – specifically the TopKick and Kodiak models, typically used for dump trucks.

Navistar is expected to transfer production to one of its own plants.

GM will focus on its high-volume light-duty pickup truck and SUV vehicle range, the company says.

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