News From the Auto Industry

That’s unfortunate, because GM actually changed long before its decision to say, “I’m sorry.” I’ve been writing about the company and test-driving its cars and trucks since 1982. I’ve seen it move from a belligerent corporate stand that said everybody else is wrong, and GM is right. I’ve seen it step away from its self-destructive penchant to, as several GM executives bluntly told me in years-ago interviews, “Put the dog food out . . . and [we’ll] see if the dogs will eat it.”

"That was Shelby's idea," said Gaffka. "It's a special touch that adds some down-the-road differentiation. There will be no doubt that it's a 'King of the Road' Mustang that's filling up your rearview mirrors."

The show car wears exclusive, Shelby-designed 20-inch, forged, polished aluminum wheels with special custom center caps, mounted on Pirelli rubber. Production models will arrive with an 18-inch version of the design.

Each KR model is identified by special 40th Anniversary KR badges on the fenders and grille, distinctive body colored 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.

The all-leather interior features Carroll Shelby signature embroidered headrests and an official Shelby CSM 40th Anniversary GT500KR dash plate mounted at the top of the center stack.

The KR's 5.4-liter V-8 Gets the Royal Treatment
The result of those errors is that millions of buyers dumped those GM clunkers and never came back. By GM’s estimate, 40 percent of the U.S. auto buying population won’t even consider one of the company’s cars or trucks-not even with generous sales incentives.

The Japanese Example indicates that, if your sins are small enough, it might be better to sweep them under the rug.

• Unique performance suspension tuning: springs, dampers, and stabilizer bars

• Shelby-designed 'GT500KR' 20-inch wheels (18-inch version for production)

In what will be one of the U.S. auto industry’s most unorthodox, riskiest ad campaigns, GM is ‘fessin up. Yes, Lord! It’s come-to-consumer time at the world’s largest manufacturer of cars and trucks.

Just like its namesake, the 2008 'King of the Road' packs a walloping dose of Ford performance power under its massive composite hood scoops. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is treated to a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540 and torque to 510 ft.-lbs., thanks to revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit.

Calibration modifications include advancing the ignition timing as well as re-mapping of the electronic throttle settings to provide quicker throttle response for better off-line and mid-range acceleration. Increased throttle response will be met with a sharper roar from the Ford Racing-inspired exhaust system.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, upgraded from the standard GT500's 3.31:1. Gear selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter making its debut on the KR. Topped with a white ball, the new shifter is 25 percent shorter than the unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, sharper shifts.

Ford SVT, Ford Racing and Team Shelby worked together to develop the KR's suspension tuning. Based on initial work by Ford Racing and the team at Shelby, often at Shelby's own facility on the grounds of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Ford SVT chassis engineers will apply fine tuning techniques to prepare it for the streets.

"The production Shelby GT500 was maximized to deliver the perfect balance between ride and handling," said Jamal Hameedi, chief nameplate engineer, Ford SVT. "In that same ride versus handling continuum, the KR will lean heavier towards all-out handling while still making it drivable on the street."

Chassis engineers worked closely with the engine department in a holistic approach to the development of the KR, tuning the suspension to best optimize the engine enhancements.

"We aren't fixing our attention on one or two attributes, but working on the vehicle as a whole," stated Gary Patterson, vice president of operations for Shelby Automobiles. "The throttle response, power delivery, exhaust note, and handling should all gel together to deliver a total driving experience."

The GT500KR will feature unique spring rates, dampers, stabilizer bars, and strut tower brace, all designed specifically for the KR, to deliver the precision handling package.

Mustang Momentum Cannot be Stopped

Unwilling to wait for the impending pony car war to heat up, Ford is extending Mustang's leadership position by feeding the enthusiast demand for more models, features, performance parts, and special editions. Ford has committed to at least one new Mustang 'feature' vehicle per year. For 2007, it is the Shelby GT, and for 2008, there will be at least two including the Shelby GT500KR and the previously announced Mustang Bullitt.

Ford's 'Steed for Every Need' strategy currently offers four horsepower options for Mustang, with pricing from $19,995 for a 240-hp V-6 Mustang coupe to $46,500 for a 500-hp Shelby GT500 convertible.

• 6-speed manual transmission with 3.73:1 rear axle ratio

• Ford Racing performance exhaust system