(DEARBORN, MI) StangsUnleashed.com - Will the Shelby GT500 have what it takes to whip up on the onslaught of muscle that Chevy and Dodge are cooking up? That's the hot topic around Dearborn today with the launch of the production 2007 Shelby GT500 just months away. And even though they are only concepts, Ford is taking the threat of the Camaro and Challenger seriously.
There has been a lot of discussion and hype about the supposed death of Ford's SVT group. To the contrary though, Ford recently pledged to keep their 10+ year history of building affordable and exciting performance vehicles alive (ARTICLE); although, in a two vehicle only format.
In sharp contrast to Ford, on the other side of Detroit, Chrysler's SRT group has been able to rapidly transform typical Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products into asphalt burning speed demons. Take the Dodge Caliber for example. The standard Dodge Caliber was introduced at the 2006 NAIAS (Detroit Auto Show) on 10 January (ARTICLE). Less than one month later, on 08 February, Dodge unleashed their 300 horsepower, four cylinder Caliber SRT in Chicago (ARTICLE). A simple trip to Chrysler's media site shows their SRT lineup as follows: 300C SRT, Crossfire SRT, Caliber SRT, Charger SRT, 300C Touring SRT, Magnum SRT, Ram SRT, Viper SRT and finally - the Cherokee SRT. The Chrysler Group just didn't come along and invent this market though; they took the playbook right from Ford and expanded upon it. Today, the SRT brand is the only serious full line player in the performance segment.
But one thing Chrysler's SRT group doesn't have is the Ford Mustang + Carroll Shelby + SVT, which equals a 475 horsepower GT500. The Shelby GT500 is so close to production ready that Ford has started assigning VINS (LINK), while GM and Chrysler are still dreaming of their future pony cars.
Undoubtedly, Dodge will up the ante on the GT500 by unleashing their Challenger with a 5.7L SRT Hemi or with an optional 6.1L SRT Hemi. Chevy's Camaro concept already has a 400 horsepower 6.0L Corvette engine, but you can expect that number to rise when it hits production form. Moreover, when the Camaro and the Challenger do eventually arrive on dealer's lots, they will both be new offerings. In order for Ford to keep pace with the competition and keep the GT500 fresh, SVT will have to be innovative with the Mustang and dig deep into the Mustang's rich history. Here's where it gets exciting.
Shelby History 101
Back in 1968, the Shelby GT500 used a modified 428 Police Interceptor engine. By mid-year though, Ford was offering a 428 Cobra Jet engine in their Mustang. Not to be outdone, Shelby dropped the Cobra Jet into the GT500 and called it the GT500KR. The KR is for "King of the Road." The GT50KR was only made in 1968-1/2. Shelby reverted back to the GT500 moniker for 1969 and 1970 models.
GT500KR prototype or a road racing Shelby "R"?
Ford is keenly aware that the GT500KR is legendary and has always exemplified the height of the muscle car era. Should Ford decide to bring the KR back, count on 2008 as the target date because it would not only celebrate the vehicle's 40th anniversary, it would also be a marketing bonanza for both Ford and Shelby American. But will a GT500KR really happen? Word around Dearborn is that a GT500KR just might return to welcome the Camaro and Challenger from their comas.
The hood vents, upper and lower grilles are metal - perfect for a factory road-racing factory Shelby.
StangsUnleashed was tipped off about the existance of a GT500KR: The above photos were captured in Dearborn, show what is believed to be a GT500KR in prototype garb. The first changes you'll notice are the different upper and lower grilles. While the 2007 Shelby GT500 uses a black, plastic grille, this model uses a metal wire mesh grille in both positions. The hood inserts are also made of the same material. If you look into the hood vents, you'll get an un-obstructed glimpse right into the engine bay. . .talk about serious airflow! Aside from the increased airflow, the metal grilles also make a statement that this Shelby is meant for some serious action on the track. By the way, did you notice that this GT500 has a roll bar?
There are essentially two forms that a GT500KR could take. The first would be a race-ready Shelby GT500KR, which would be a successor to the venerable Cobra "R" model. A GT500KR race version could include lightening the GT500, adding factory Ford racing components and tweaking the engine for even more horsepower. As an alternative to offering a GT500KR racer, Ford could simply discontinue the GT500 after
2007 and christen it the GT500KR for the 2008 model year only. In reality, either or both scenarios are possible.Despite the drum beating by major media outlets about SVT's death, Ford is secretly constructing the next hot Mustang. . .we're betting that it will have the "KR" designation on it.