GT500KR Production Begins

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 11, 2008 - Automotive legend Carroll Shelby shares his 85th birthday with a new performance standout - the 540-horsepower 2008 GT500KR, which begins production today.

The GT500KR or "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 - the most powerful production Mustang ever.

The new GT500KR will be available at select Ford dealerships this spring. Production is limited at 1,000 units.

"It is simply magic when Shelby and Ford team up and deliver products like the GT500KR," said Mark Fields, Ford's president, The Americas. "Collaborations like this have helped Mustang remain at the top of the sports car segment for 22 straight years - and running - and help inspire people who truly want and value performance."

Shelby GT500KR Lands Starring Role on Knight Rider

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 13, 2007 -- When the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR launches this spring don't be surprised if there's some confusion over what the letters "KR" stand for.

While the super car has been known to racing fans as "King of the Road" since 1968, it's about to star in a remake of the hit TV series Knight Rider making mix-ups inevitable.

"It's purely a coincidence and a nice one at that,"" said Al Uzielli a senior advisor, to Ford Global Brand Entertainment the Ford office in Beverly Hills which works to place Ford branded vehicles in movies, TV and other media. "Auto enthusiasts will know what KR stands for. But most viewers will probably think it means Knight Rider; at least at first."

Ford Mustang Glass Roof Now Available

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 11, 2007 - Hot on the heels of the new Ford Bullitt Mustang and the new Shelby GT500KR, America's favorite muscle car drives into its 45th anniversary year sporting a new factory-installed glass roof.

The 2009 Ford Glass Roof Mustang provides a third roof option for customers and responds to their growing desire for more natural light. Production of large sunroofs has increased nearly 200 percent in North America since 2003, according to Just-auto. The growth is driven, in part, by consumers' daily commute time. The number of consumers with commutes lasting more than 60 minutes grew by almost 50 percent between 1990 and 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

2008 Patriot American Flag Edition Saleen Mustang

Saleen is paying tribute to our military servicemen and women who defend our country at home and abroad by offering a limited-edition 2008 Patriot American Flag Saleen Mustang. Saleen will build 24 of these limited edition S281 supercharged Mustangs with 8 in each color of Red, White and Blue.

"At Saleen we value our military servicemen and women as they defend our country at home and abroad. They represent the true pride and strength of America and as America's premiere niche vehicle manufacturer, Saleen wants to salute them. So, as a way to say welcome home to our troops Saleen will build 24 special edition S281 Supercharged cars in Red, White and Blue (8 vehicles per color)"

Ford Mustang Bullitt Test Drive with Burnout Video

Popular Mechanics just posted a video of a test drive of the 2008 limited-edition Mustang Bullitt. The GT gets a host of upgrades for 2008 Bullitt duty that make it one of the most balanced Mustangs ever. The 4.6-liter V8 is boosted by 15 hp to 315, thanks to a cold-air intake, freer-flowing exhaust and higher redline. The rear end gets steeper 3.73:1 gears for more off-the-line punch. Ford lowered the suspension and fitted unique shocks along with new brake pads.

The result is a smooth-riding, sharp-handling muscle car that can lay strips of black rubber 100 ft. long. Frank Bullitt would be proud.

View the video and review here
Shnack.com also has some Bullitt videos in the Photo & Video Gallery.