(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.

http://www.blueovalnews.com/index.php?categoryid=12&p2_articleid=240

Patrick