To All My Readers,
This is my personal pick. I hope it wins. It made me cry, it was amazing, and SO true... once you try a Mustang.. that dream lasts forever. I love you, Dad. May you rest in peace, and I think about you every day.
November 4, 2008
July 17, 2008
2009 Ford Mustang GT Coupe Deluxe - ROUSH 427R & RTC Stage 3
(Via Autoblog.com - Roush 427R and Autoblog.com - Roush RTC)
Needless to say, ROUSH Performance Products didn't need to ask twice when it offered to put its recently-introduced 427R in the Autoblog Garage for a week. We immediately caught the next ride to Livonia, MI to grab the keys, and did our best impression of respectable journalists. The facade of responsibility lasted all of two stop lights, after which we were laughing like maniacs who had just robbed a gun store. And just why were we so happy to get our hands on this machine? The answer is quite simple - the man who's name appears in more than twenty locations on the 427R has a bit of a reputation for making cars go fast. After some time on the street, at the track, and on the dyno, we can say that the reputation is well deserved.
Editor's Note: As far as we know, Autoblog was the first outlet in the world to get its hands on a ROUSH 427R for review, and there's only one person on the team we would allow to handle this much horsepower: Eric Bryant. He didn't disappoint, having produced the most thorough In the Autoblog Garage review ever that includes not only the normal areas of review, but also dyno runs to verify ROUSH's power claims and a trip to the dragstrip where this pony was thoroughly flogged. PLUS there's a video of the whole review after the jump.
Ford's Mustang is wildly popular, but as is the case with any vehicle that sells over a quarter-million copies each year, there will be compromises that prevent the "one percenters" from being truly satisfied. That's where ROUSH Performance Products steps in, with its Stage upgrades, and now the 427R - intended to slot between the Stage 2 and Stage 3 in both price and performance.
The 427R is based upon a Mustang GT Coupe Deluxe, which includes leather seats (with a 6-way power adjuster and lumber support on the driver's side), cruise control, keyless entry, A/C, power locks, power windows with auto-up/-down, and power mirrors. The Shaker 500 sound system is also included. With this as a starting point, the vehicle then undergoes extensive modification.
Drivetrain
The heart of the 427R's modifications is the ROUSHcharger forced-induction system that is installed on the 3-valve SOHC 4.6L V8. Utilizing an Eaton positive-displacement supercharger and a water-to-air intercooler integrated into the intake manifold, the system applies approximately 6 PSI of boost to produce 427 HP and 391 lb-ft - a useful increase of 127 HP and 71 lb-ft over the stock numbers. The system includes a vacuum-actuated bypass valve that routes air around the compressor at part throttle to increase efficiency. A heat exchanger for the intercooler is nestled behind the front fascia and uses a dedicated coolant loop (plumbed along the passenger's side of the engine) with an electric circulation pump. The engine's new fuel and spark demands are satisfied via a recalibrated OEM powertrain control module. Premium fuel is required, of course. The stock exhaust manifolds and catalytic converters dump spent gases into the ROUSH stainless-steel cat-back system.
Bumping up the output by nearly 43% changes the Mustang's personality dramatically, with the blower providing loads of thrust at any RPM and in any gear. The tractability and linearity of the powerplant is remarkable, giving the operator absolute control over the amount of power that reaches the rear wheels. This is good, as applying too much throttle with the traction control disabled will simply light up the rear tires in First, and some caution should be exercised in Second as well.
Great sounds are generated along as soon as the starter is engaged, with the PCM bringing up the revs to about 2000 RPM during start-up to produce a healthy bark before settling down to the normal idle speed. Putting the pedal to the floor fills the cabin with a thundering exhaust note, complimented by the supercharger's lovely mechanical whine. On decel, a symphony of crackles and growls is sung by the 3" tips that peek out from under the rear fascia. It's a wonderful soundtrack that totally fits the personality of the car, but forget any notion of sneaking around - heads will turn as the 427R passes by. If we have a complaint, it's that a rather obnoxious drone is emitted at part throttle around 1800 RPM. Downshift a gear and the exhaust note becomes much more pleasant; it's a solution that we're quite comfortable recommending.
Suspension
The performance modifications continue to the underpinnings, where ROUSH replaces the factory springs, sway bars, front struts, rear shocks, bushings, and jounce bumpers with new components to lower the Mustang while providing improved roll resistance. It appears that additional camber and caster is also dialed into the front suspension.
All of these blue powdercoated parts combine with the stiff S197 structure to add up to what is easily the best ride-vs.-handling compromise we've ever experienced in a pony car. The increased roll rate and lowered center-of-gravity provide crisp handling with neutral breakaway characteristics, and yet the suspension remains compliant enough to handle the worst of Michigan's pothole-strewn roads. Never does the rear axle give any indication of tramp or hop, and in fact behaves better than some RWD vehicles with independent rear suspension. Quite simply, every musclecar should handle this well. If we were to change anything, we'd perhaps try to dial in a bit more steering feedback, as it retains the stock Mustang's slightly overboosted feel.
Wheels and Tires
Five-spoke chromed cast-aluminum 18x9" wheels are wrapped in Cooper Zeon 2XS directional tires in 275/40-18. We had no previous experience with this tire, but came away impressed by its respectable dry and wet traction (the latter of which we had a disproportionate amount of time experiencing due to the wet weather this fall). Additionally, the low noise and decent ride quality were appreciated when we weren't driving at 10/10ths. Almost as importantly, the wheel/tire package did a great job of complimenting the lowered ride height by filling up the fenderwells.
Body
While the supercharger and underpinnings are responsible for providing the "go", ROUSH's exterior appearance modifications supply plenty of "show". A color-matched four-piece body kit is installed, consisting of a redesigned front fascia and air dam, nonfunctional hood scoop, and "whale tail" rear spoiler. The 427R package also includes louvered covers for the quarter windows. A racing stripe covers the center of the hood and scoop, while "hockey-stick" graphics run down the front fenders and doors and a large ROUSH banner adorned the top of the windshield. Several other badges leave no question about the 427R's origin. Combined with the lowered ride height, the effect is that of a race car that has escaped from pit row to terrorize the streets.
The cosmetic changes turn the Mustang into a total attention magnet. We've never experienced such a reaction from any vehicle we've ever driven; people respond to the 427R with the joy that one would expect from a childhood automotive fantasy come to life. We also found that the Roush name carries with it a substantial amount of "street cred". If you like getting the thumbs-up sign from random strangers and talking about cars every time you pull into a parking spot, this is your car. Those looking to fly under the radar would be well-advised to seek alternative transportation.
The body add-ons also fit the Mustang extremely well, with the exception of the side window louvers. Held on by only three screws, they were able to move around a bit. While this didn't create any noise, we think that it might scuff the paint after a while, and would have preferred to see a bit of double-sided tape to help keep them from rubbing on the finish. Otherwise, the quality of the exterior parts was excellent and we never scraped the air dam, proving that ROUSH designed these components for real-world use.
Interior
To spice up the normally dark and dour Mustang interior, new seat covers with electric-blue perforated leather inserts are installed onto the stock frames and cushions. Down below, billet aluminum pedal covers are installed, including a dead pedal, and a set of ROUSH embroidered floor mats cover the carpet. A custom gauge black-on-white gage cluster is installed into the dashboard as well. To top things off, a billet aluminum shift knob is mounted atop the stock shifter.
The blue seats certainly match up well with the exterior, but admittedly they're slightly jarring at first sight when contrasted with the rest of the interior. We initially thought that we wouldn't like the pedal covers, thinking that they'd be too slippery when wet. Fortunately, their sharp edges provided plenty of grip, heal-and-toe downshifts were possible, and we found the dead pedal to be perfectly placed. The shape of the shift knob also drew some early scrutiny, but it turned out to be well-matched to the placement of the shifter and center console. The new gage cluster proved easy to read and the green night time backlighting was well-matched with other controls, but the MyColor feature of the OEM cluster is lost in the process. Also, the redline on the tach is marked at 6000 RPM, where the power peak hasn't yet arrived and the rev limiter doesn't kick in for another 500 RPM.
Warranty
Those who are concerned about the effect of these modifications upon the factory warranty need not worry - all of the Ford factory equipment is still covered. ROUSH components carry their own 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Performance
When dealing with this much power, putting down the hammer on public roads fails to provide any meaningful indication of performance (not to mention the danger presented to the general public and our driver licenses). To provide some objective measurements, we first hit a chassis dyno to see if ROUSH's claims could be verified, and then took several passes down the dragstrip.
We brought the 427R over to Baker Engineering in Nunica, MI and strapped it to the facility's Dynojet 248 inertial chassis dyno. Our first run resulted in some disappointing numbers, but an hour of diagnosis by ROUSH technicians revealed a simple problem - the blower's bypass valve actuator was misadjusted, causing the valve to remain partially open at wide-open throttle. The effect of this was to bleed off nearly half of the blower's boost, with a corresponding effect on power production. Spinning up the rollers once again, we obtained a rather healthy 356 HP and 330 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels (corrected for atmospheric conditions to the SAE J1349 standard, of course). Assume a drivetrain loss figure of somewhere around 15-20% (trying to pin down an exact number is impossible), and these results back up ROUSH's crankshaft ratings. The engine was still pulling hard when the rev limiter was encountered at 6500 RPM, and the torque curve remained healthy over the entire range of the pull.
We then drove the 427R over to Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, MI to lay down some passes. Hampered by difficulties with wheelspin, our quickest attempt resulted in an elapsed time of 13.474 seconds at 106.79 MPH (a faster trap speed of 107.28 was recorded on a 13.551 pass). Applying NHRA correction factors for weather - we calculated a density altitude of 1600 ft - to our quickest run yields 13.234@108.77 MPH (we give you both the raw and corrected numbers, as opinions vary as to which is the more useful figure). While the trap speeds are appropriate for the 427R's power-to-weight ratio, the elapsed times were several tenths slower than what we'd like to see. A glance at the timeslip shows the problem; with a 60-foot time of 2.040, we spent way too much time trying to ease the car out of the hole without boiling the tires or bogging the engine (launching at 2500 RPM was the way to avoid excessive wheelspin, even with the tires at 25 PSI). We also struggled a bit with the stock shifter, and think that ROUSH's optional billet shifter would be money well spent for aspiring drag racers. Finally, the overaggressive rev limiter seems to shut down the engine for an eternity (in reality, it kills the motor for about a second), which applies a stiff penalty to late shifts. Bolt on a set of drag radials, get in some more practice with the shifter, and we think that this thing will easily break into the twelves.
The Final Verdict
Judged solely upon its merits, we think that that ROUSH 427R is indeed a fine piece of performance machinery - and an attractive piece of eye candy, as well. However, it's a fact of life that ROUSH expects some payment in return for all of this equipment, and the base 427R package adds $15,000 to the Mustang GT's MSRP of $26,980. The gage cluster, custom leather seating, and side window louvers add another $2,340, and Uncle Sam grabs another grand for the federal gas-guzzler tax. Add in the delivery cost, and it'll take $46,110 to put one in your driveway.
This places the 427R in the same price range as Ford's own Shelby GT500, as well as the base version of Chevrolet's Corvette. To be honest, it's unlikely that the Vette will be cross-shopped against either Mustang (it's a Ford vs. Chevy thing, folks), so the real competition here is indeed the Blue Oval's factory hot rod. In the Shelby's favor is an additional 75 HP, as well as larger brakes. Thanks to its smaller aluminum block engine, though, the 427R is lighter by a couple hundred pounds (and with much better distribution of that mass), and we think that it's far less likely to be mistaken for a garden-variety Mustang. And let's not forget the "market adjustment" currently applied to the GT500 (although that is likely a temporary situation). We'll hold off on forming too strong of an opinion until we get to spend some serious time with the Shelby, but our tendency right now might be to select the GT500 for serious straight-line duty, and go with the 427R for just about anything else. It's not cheap, but it's a well-engineered muscle car that's equally at home on the street or the racetrack, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with it in the Autoblog Garage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Specifications & Mods:
Roush Mustang RTC Package - $13,375.00
- ROUSH 4 Piece Aero body Kit (Front Fascia, Front Chin Spoiler, Hood Scoop, and Rear Wing)
- Lower Valance Fog Lamps
- High Flow Nine Bar Grille
- Two-Tone Paint
- ROUSH Door Sill Plates
- ROUSH 20-Inch Forged Chrome Wheels with High Performance Tires
- ROUSH Fender and Decklid Badges
- ROUSH Front Windshield Banner
- ROUSH Embroidered Floor Mats
- Locking Lug Nuts
- ROUSH Billet Aluminum Shifter Handle w/ Grips (Manual Transmission Only)
- ROUSH Four-Piece Performance Pedals
- ROUSH White Face Electro Luminescent Gauge Cluster
- ROUSH Sport Leather Seating with Suede Inserts
- ROUSH Lowering Springs and Jounce Bumpers
- RTCSerialized Engine Bay Plaque
Options
Chrome ROUSHcharger (430 hp / 400 lb-ft) $6,250.00
Vent Pod w/ Boost Gauge (ROUSHcharger Option Only) $435.00
Interior Dash Trim Kit (Carbon Fiber Design) $350.00
Quarter Window Louvers (Coupe ONLY) $315.00
Short Throw Shifter (can be used with stock shift knob or Roush billet knobs) $340.00
Short Shifter w/ Chrome Shifter Arm and White Ball Knob $445.00
Short Shifter w/ Chrome Shifter Arm and Black Ball Knob $445.00
Trunk Mounted Tool Kit $355.00
ROUSH Exhaust - Dealer Installed (Post Title) $575.00
Sport Brake Kit (slotted rotors and painted calipers) $1,450.00
Strut Tower Brace $220.00
Needless to say, ROUSH Performance Products didn't need to ask twice when it offered to put its recently-introduced 427R in the Autoblog Garage for a week. We immediately caught the next ride to Livonia, MI to grab the keys, and did our best impression of respectable journalists. The facade of responsibility lasted all of two stop lights, after which we were laughing like maniacs who had just robbed a gun store. And just why were we so happy to get our hands on this machine? The answer is quite simple - the man who's name appears in more than twenty locations on the 427R has a bit of a reputation for making cars go fast. After some time on the street, at the track, and on the dyno, we can say that the reputation is well deserved.
Editor's Note: As far as we know, Autoblog was the first outlet in the world to get its hands on a ROUSH 427R for review, and there's only one person on the team we would allow to handle this much horsepower: Eric Bryant. He didn't disappoint, having produced the most thorough In the Autoblog Garage review ever that includes not only the normal areas of review, but also dyno runs to verify ROUSH's power claims and a trip to the dragstrip where this pony was thoroughly flogged. PLUS there's a video of the whole review after the jump.
Ford's Mustang is wildly popular, but as is the case with any vehicle that sells over a quarter-million copies each year, there will be compromises that prevent the "one percenters" from being truly satisfied. That's where ROUSH Performance Products steps in, with its Stage upgrades, and now the 427R - intended to slot between the Stage 2 and Stage 3 in both price and performance.
The 427R is based upon a Mustang GT Coupe Deluxe, which includes leather seats (with a 6-way power adjuster and lumber support on the driver's side), cruise control, keyless entry, A/C, power locks, power windows with auto-up/-down, and power mirrors. The Shaker 500 sound system is also included. With this as a starting point, the vehicle then undergoes extensive modification.
Drivetrain
The heart of the 427R's modifications is the ROUSHcharger forced-induction system that is installed on the 3-valve SOHC 4.6L V8. Utilizing an Eaton positive-displacement supercharger and a water-to-air intercooler integrated into the intake manifold, the system applies approximately 6 PSI of boost to produce 427 HP and 391 lb-ft - a useful increase of 127 HP and 71 lb-ft over the stock numbers. The system includes a vacuum-actuated bypass valve that routes air around the compressor at part throttle to increase efficiency. A heat exchanger for the intercooler is nestled behind the front fascia and uses a dedicated coolant loop (plumbed along the passenger's side of the engine) with an electric circulation pump. The engine's new fuel and spark demands are satisfied via a recalibrated OEM powertrain control module. Premium fuel is required, of course. The stock exhaust manifolds and catalytic converters dump spent gases into the ROUSH stainless-steel cat-back system.
Bumping up the output by nearly 43% changes the Mustang's personality dramatically, with the blower providing loads of thrust at any RPM and in any gear. The tractability and linearity of the powerplant is remarkable, giving the operator absolute control over the amount of power that reaches the rear wheels. This is good, as applying too much throttle with the traction control disabled will simply light up the rear tires in First, and some caution should be exercised in Second as well.
Great sounds are generated along as soon as the starter is engaged, with the PCM bringing up the revs to about 2000 RPM during start-up to produce a healthy bark before settling down to the normal idle speed. Putting the pedal to the floor fills the cabin with a thundering exhaust note, complimented by the supercharger's lovely mechanical whine. On decel, a symphony of crackles and growls is sung by the 3" tips that peek out from under the rear fascia. It's a wonderful soundtrack that totally fits the personality of the car, but forget any notion of sneaking around - heads will turn as the 427R passes by. If we have a complaint, it's that a rather obnoxious drone is emitted at part throttle around 1800 RPM. Downshift a gear and the exhaust note becomes much more pleasant; it's a solution that we're quite comfortable recommending.
Suspension
The performance modifications continue to the underpinnings, where ROUSH replaces the factory springs, sway bars, front struts, rear shocks, bushings, and jounce bumpers with new components to lower the Mustang while providing improved roll resistance. It appears that additional camber and caster is also dialed into the front suspension.
All of these blue powdercoated parts combine with the stiff S197 structure to add up to what is easily the best ride-vs.-handling compromise we've ever experienced in a pony car. The increased roll rate and lowered center-of-gravity provide crisp handling with neutral breakaway characteristics, and yet the suspension remains compliant enough to handle the worst of Michigan's pothole-strewn roads. Never does the rear axle give any indication of tramp or hop, and in fact behaves better than some RWD vehicles with independent rear suspension. Quite simply, every musclecar should handle this well. If we were to change anything, we'd perhaps try to dial in a bit more steering feedback, as it retains the stock Mustang's slightly overboosted feel.
Wheels and Tires
Five-spoke chromed cast-aluminum 18x9" wheels are wrapped in Cooper Zeon 2XS directional tires in 275/40-18. We had no previous experience with this tire, but came away impressed by its respectable dry and wet traction (the latter of which we had a disproportionate amount of time experiencing due to the wet weather this fall). Additionally, the low noise and decent ride quality were appreciated when we weren't driving at 10/10ths. Almost as importantly, the wheel/tire package did a great job of complimenting the lowered ride height by filling up the fenderwells.
Body
While the supercharger and underpinnings are responsible for providing the "go", ROUSH's exterior appearance modifications supply plenty of "show". A color-matched four-piece body kit is installed, consisting of a redesigned front fascia and air dam, nonfunctional hood scoop, and "whale tail" rear spoiler. The 427R package also includes louvered covers for the quarter windows. A racing stripe covers the center of the hood and scoop, while "hockey-stick" graphics run down the front fenders and doors and a large ROUSH banner adorned the top of the windshield. Several other badges leave no question about the 427R's origin. Combined with the lowered ride height, the effect is that of a race car that has escaped from pit row to terrorize the streets.
The cosmetic changes turn the Mustang into a total attention magnet. We've never experienced such a reaction from any vehicle we've ever driven; people respond to the 427R with the joy that one would expect from a childhood automotive fantasy come to life. We also found that the Roush name carries with it a substantial amount of "street cred". If you like getting the thumbs-up sign from random strangers and talking about cars every time you pull into a parking spot, this is your car. Those looking to fly under the radar would be well-advised to seek alternative transportation.
The body add-ons also fit the Mustang extremely well, with the exception of the side window louvers. Held on by only three screws, they were able to move around a bit. While this didn't create any noise, we think that it might scuff the paint after a while, and would have preferred to see a bit of double-sided tape to help keep them from rubbing on the finish. Otherwise, the quality of the exterior parts was excellent and we never scraped the air dam, proving that ROUSH designed these components for real-world use.
Interior
To spice up the normally dark and dour Mustang interior, new seat covers with electric-blue perforated leather inserts are installed onto the stock frames and cushions. Down below, billet aluminum pedal covers are installed, including a dead pedal, and a set of ROUSH embroidered floor mats cover the carpet. A custom gauge black-on-white gage cluster is installed into the dashboard as well. To top things off, a billet aluminum shift knob is mounted atop the stock shifter.
The blue seats certainly match up well with the exterior, but admittedly they're slightly jarring at first sight when contrasted with the rest of the interior. We initially thought that we wouldn't like the pedal covers, thinking that they'd be too slippery when wet. Fortunately, their sharp edges provided plenty of grip, heal-and-toe downshifts were possible, and we found the dead pedal to be perfectly placed. The shape of the shift knob also drew some early scrutiny, but it turned out to be well-matched to the placement of the shifter and center console. The new gage cluster proved easy to read and the green night time backlighting was well-matched with other controls, but the MyColor feature of the OEM cluster is lost in the process. Also, the redline on the tach is marked at 6000 RPM, where the power peak hasn't yet arrived and the rev limiter doesn't kick in for another 500 RPM.
Warranty
Those who are concerned about the effect of these modifications upon the factory warranty need not worry - all of the Ford factory equipment is still covered. ROUSH components carry their own 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Performance
When dealing with this much power, putting down the hammer on public roads fails to provide any meaningful indication of performance (not to mention the danger presented to the general public and our driver licenses). To provide some objective measurements, we first hit a chassis dyno to see if ROUSH's claims could be verified, and then took several passes down the dragstrip.
We brought the 427R over to Baker Engineering in Nunica, MI and strapped it to the facility's Dynojet 248 inertial chassis dyno. Our first run resulted in some disappointing numbers, but an hour of diagnosis by ROUSH technicians revealed a simple problem - the blower's bypass valve actuator was misadjusted, causing the valve to remain partially open at wide-open throttle. The effect of this was to bleed off nearly half of the blower's boost, with a corresponding effect on power production. Spinning up the rollers once again, we obtained a rather healthy 356 HP and 330 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels (corrected for atmospheric conditions to the SAE J1349 standard, of course). Assume a drivetrain loss figure of somewhere around 15-20% (trying to pin down an exact number is impossible), and these results back up ROUSH's crankshaft ratings. The engine was still pulling hard when the rev limiter was encountered at 6500 RPM, and the torque curve remained healthy over the entire range of the pull.
We then drove the 427R over to Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton, MI to lay down some passes. Hampered by difficulties with wheelspin, our quickest attempt resulted in an elapsed time of 13.474 seconds at 106.79 MPH (a faster trap speed of 107.28 was recorded on a 13.551 pass). Applying NHRA correction factors for weather - we calculated a density altitude of 1600 ft - to our quickest run yields 13.234@108.77 MPH (we give you both the raw and corrected numbers, as opinions vary as to which is the more useful figure). While the trap speeds are appropriate for the 427R's power-to-weight ratio, the elapsed times were several tenths slower than what we'd like to see. A glance at the timeslip shows the problem; with a 60-foot time of 2.040, we spent way too much time trying to ease the car out of the hole without boiling the tires or bogging the engine (launching at 2500 RPM was the way to avoid excessive wheelspin, even with the tires at 25 PSI). We also struggled a bit with the stock shifter, and think that ROUSH's optional billet shifter would be money well spent for aspiring drag racers. Finally, the overaggressive rev limiter seems to shut down the engine for an eternity (in reality, it kills the motor for about a second), which applies a stiff penalty to late shifts. Bolt on a set of drag radials, get in some more practice with the shifter, and we think that this thing will easily break into the twelves.
The Final Verdict
Judged solely upon its merits, we think that that ROUSH 427R is indeed a fine piece of performance machinery - and an attractive piece of eye candy, as well. However, it's a fact of life that ROUSH expects some payment in return for all of this equipment, and the base 427R package adds $15,000 to the Mustang GT's MSRP of $26,980. The gage cluster, custom leather seating, and side window louvers add another $2,340, and Uncle Sam grabs another grand for the federal gas-guzzler tax. Add in the delivery cost, and it'll take $46,110 to put one in your driveway.
This places the 427R in the same price range as Ford's own Shelby GT500, as well as the base version of Chevrolet's Corvette. To be honest, it's unlikely that the Vette will be cross-shopped against either Mustang (it's a Ford vs. Chevy thing, folks), so the real competition here is indeed the Blue Oval's factory hot rod. In the Shelby's favor is an additional 75 HP, as well as larger brakes. Thanks to its smaller aluminum block engine, though, the 427R is lighter by a couple hundred pounds (and with much better distribution of that mass), and we think that it's far less likely to be mistaken for a garden-variety Mustang. And let's not forget the "market adjustment" currently applied to the GT500 (although that is likely a temporary situation). We'll hold off on forming too strong of an opinion until we get to spend some serious time with the Shelby, but our tendency right now might be to select the GT500 for serious straight-line duty, and go with the 427R for just about anything else. It's not cheap, but it's a well-engineered muscle car that's equally at home on the street or the racetrack, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with it in the Autoblog Garage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Specifications & Mods:
Roush Mustang RTC Package - $13,375.00
- ROUSH 4 Piece Aero body Kit (Front Fascia, Front Chin Spoiler, Hood Scoop, and Rear Wing)
- Lower Valance Fog Lamps
- High Flow Nine Bar Grille
- Two-Tone Paint
- ROUSH Door Sill Plates
- ROUSH 20-Inch Forged Chrome Wheels with High Performance Tires
- ROUSH Fender and Decklid Badges
- ROUSH Front Windshield Banner
- ROUSH Embroidered Floor Mats
- Locking Lug Nuts
- ROUSH Billet Aluminum Shifter Handle w/ Grips (Manual Transmission Only)
- ROUSH Four-Piece Performance Pedals
- ROUSH White Face Electro Luminescent Gauge Cluster
- ROUSH Sport Leather Seating with Suede Inserts
- ROUSH Lowering Springs and Jounce Bumpers
- RTCSerialized Engine Bay Plaque
Options
Chrome ROUSHcharger (430 hp / 400 lb-ft) $6,250.00
Vent Pod w/ Boost Gauge (ROUSHcharger Option Only) $435.00
Interior Dash Trim Kit (Carbon Fiber Design) $350.00
Quarter Window Louvers (Coupe ONLY) $315.00
Short Throw Shifter (can be used with stock shift knob or Roush billet knobs) $340.00
Short Shifter w/ Chrome Shifter Arm and White Ball Knob $445.00
Short Shifter w/ Chrome Shifter Arm and Black Ball Knob $445.00
Trunk Mounted Tool Kit $355.00
ROUSH Exhaust - Dealer Installed (Post Title) $575.00
Sport Brake Kit (slotted rotors and painted calipers) $1,450.00
Strut Tower Brace $220.00
May 21, 2008
2009 Mustang 45th Anniversary Badge Revealed
[Via Jalopnik & MustangEvolution]
The 2009 year will mark 45 years of uninterrupted production of the Ford Mustang and what other way to celebrate than a fancy new badge. The 2009 badge will appear only on the base model Ford Mustangs and be about 4 inches in height and width.
Holy cow, OMG, WTF — it's a real, live badge for the 2009 Ford Mustang! OK, we'll stop with the exclamations now. But why wouldn't we be excited — it's the 45th anniversary of the Mustang and, and, and — OK, we can't really figure out why we should be excited. Especially given we'll see an entirely new Ford Mustang less than one year later for the 2010 model year. Whatever, we salute Ford for 45 years of pony cars. At least they kept going with the muscular muscle cars even when no other 'merican automaker would. That took some guts — and we'll give 'em credit for that. However we'll still poke 'em for that big truck axle in the rear end. Speaking of credit, we're also going to give some credit to Mustang Evolution for pokin' fun at Ford with a snarky little comment on the new 'stangs looking a little thick around the waist. Way to be, guys!
The 2009 year will mark 45 years of uninterrupted production of the Ford Mustang and what other way to celebrate than a fancy new badge. The 2009 badge will appear only on the base model Ford Mustangs and be about 4 inches in height and width.
Holy cow, OMG, WTF — it's a real, live badge for the 2009 Ford Mustang! OK, we'll stop with the exclamations now. But why wouldn't we be excited — it's the 45th anniversary of the Mustang and, and, and — OK, we can't really figure out why we should be excited. Especially given we'll see an entirely new Ford Mustang less than one year later for the 2010 model year. Whatever, we salute Ford for 45 years of pony cars. At least they kept going with the muscular muscle cars even when no other 'merican automaker would. That took some guts — and we'll give 'em credit for that. However we'll still poke 'em for that big truck axle in the rear end. Speaking of credit, we're also going to give some credit to Mustang Evolution for pokin' fun at Ford with a snarky little comment on the new 'stangs looking a little thick around the waist. Way to be, guys!
May 2, 2008
Carroll Shelby Celebrates 85th Birthday & 1966 Le Mans Victory with Commemorative GT40
[Via AutoBlog]
By Drew Phillips
We got our first look at Shelby's 85th Commemorative GT40 back in January at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale. It's as close as you can get to the real thing without spending millions on an original GT40 with the chassis and body nearly perfectly replicating the original. Shelby Distribution has now issued an updated press release as well as the official photos. The GT40, built by Superformance but officially badged a Shelby, celebrates both Carroll's 85th birthday as well as the dominating 1-2-3 Le Mans win in 1966. It's available in all three colors of the original race cars - Arcadian Blue, Black, and Red - as well as unique Shelby badging on the door handles, headlights, side graphics, and floor mats. No engine specs are available since each comes as a rolling chassis, but the engine bay is built to accommodate any Shelby-badged V8 crate engine. Anything but a 427ci V8 would be just plain crazy, though. Follow the jump for the press release and check out nearly fifty high resolution photos in the gallery below.
PRESS RELEASE:
In celebration of Carroll Shelby's 85TH birthday Shelby Distribution USA under license from Shelby Licensing and in partnership with Shelby Automobiles Inc. will reproduce the three dominating Shelby American GT40® race cars that accomplished one of the greatest feats in American automotive racing history into a street legal vehicle that can be driven or simply collected. These rolling chassis will receive a Shelby Automobiles Inc. MSO and will be recorded in the Shelby Registry along with the Safir GT40 Spares LLC assigned licensed mark, identification number and registry that reflects these cars as newly manufactured variants of the original GT40®.
Chassis/Body
The GT40®'s chassis is a near-exact replication of the original race car's monocoque unibody structure down to the pressed steel roof. The only departure is the use of electro-galvanized sheet steel in the construction. The chassis, at over 12,000 pounds per degree, is stiffer than any other chassis on the market, and is made of over 244 laser cut and bent or pressed parts.
Engine/Transmission
The Shelby 85th Commemorative GT40® is built to accommodate only a Shelby branded engine. The top of the line engine includes the Shelby 427FE V8.
Original Style Suspension
The Shelby 85th Commemorative GT40® features an original style fully independent suspension system utilizing an unequal length A-arm design. The coilover system utilizes H&R springs and Bilstein shocks that are fully adjustable as well as the front and rear anti-roll bars. Ride height can be changed from 4.125 to 4.75 inches.
Wheels/Tires/Brakes
Incredible braking performance is achieved through vented Wilwood super light brakes. Both front and rear brakes feature 12.75" discs and 4-piston calipers. Original style 15-inch Halibrand wheels are wrapped with high performance BFGoodrich g-Force Drag Radial tires, 225/50/15 front, 275/60/15 rear.
Interior
The interior features original style seats with rivets and 4-point racing harness seat belts. A racing style dash features Smith gauges, and the pedal box, instruments, quick-release 14-inch steering wheel, and dash accurately replicate the original.
Unique 85th Commemorative Edition GT40® Features
The MKII Shelby GT40®'s will be based on the following cars. Only 85 of each color will be issued.
Car #1, Chassis P/1015: Arcadian Blue, White Stripes/Dark Blue borders, and Dayglo Red Fender Flashes
Car #2, Chassis P/1046: Black with solid Silver Stripes and White Roundels
Car #3, Chassis P/1047 Red with solid White Stripes and Roundels
Features Include:
- Record sale into the Shelby Registry
- Shelby MSO and dash plaque
- Carroll Shelby engraved door handles
- Carroll Shelby etched left and right front headlight covers
- Roundels with 85 number decals
- Leather seating
- Hood wind diffusers
- CS GT40® numbered plaque
- CS GT40® side sill graphics
- Carroll Shelby signature floor and sill mats
- 85th Commemorative hood badge
- 85th Special Edition decal
- Available in right and left hand drive
Available Race Version
While the standard Shelby 85th Commemorative GT40® is as close to a race car as one can get to driving on the street, a race version is also available. This package comes with a roll bar, fuel cell and A/C delete.
Vehicle specifications
Wheelbase: 95"
Length: 163"
Height: 40.5"
Width: 70"
Track (f/r): 57"/56"
Ground Clearance: 4.125" – 4.75"
Curb Weight: 2400 lbs
Weight Distribution: f/r: 40/60%
About Shelby Distribution
Based in Irvine, CA, Shelby Distribution is the official distributor for Shelby continuation cars. Their product lineup includes the CSX4000 Cobra, CSX9000, and the 85th Commemorative GT40. For more information on Shelby continuation cars or to find a dealership, visit www.shelbydistributionusa.com or call 888-SHELBY-USA. The GT40® trademark is owned by Safir GT40 Spares LLC.
By Drew Phillips
We got our first look at Shelby's 85th Commemorative GT40 back in January at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale. It's as close as you can get to the real thing without spending millions on an original GT40 with the chassis and body nearly perfectly replicating the original. Shelby Distribution has now issued an updated press release as well as the official photos. The GT40, built by Superformance but officially badged a Shelby, celebrates both Carroll's 85th birthday as well as the dominating 1-2-3 Le Mans win in 1966. It's available in all three colors of the original race cars - Arcadian Blue, Black, and Red - as well as unique Shelby badging on the door handles, headlights, side graphics, and floor mats. No engine specs are available since each comes as a rolling chassis, but the engine bay is built to accommodate any Shelby-badged V8 crate engine. Anything but a 427ci V8 would be just plain crazy, though. Follow the jump for the press release and check out nearly fifty high resolution photos in the gallery below.
PRESS RELEASE:
In celebration of Carroll Shelby's 85TH birthday Shelby Distribution USA under license from Shelby Licensing and in partnership with Shelby Automobiles Inc. will reproduce the three dominating Shelby American GT40® race cars that accomplished one of the greatest feats in American automotive racing history into a street legal vehicle that can be driven or simply collected. These rolling chassis will receive a Shelby Automobiles Inc. MSO and will be recorded in the Shelby Registry along with the Safir GT40 Spares LLC assigned licensed mark, identification number and registry that reflects these cars as newly manufactured variants of the original GT40®.
Chassis/Body
The GT40®'s chassis is a near-exact replication of the original race car's monocoque unibody structure down to the pressed steel roof. The only departure is the use of electro-galvanized sheet steel in the construction. The chassis, at over 12,000 pounds per degree, is stiffer than any other chassis on the market, and is made of over 244 laser cut and bent or pressed parts.
Engine/Transmission
The Shelby 85th Commemorative GT40® is built to accommodate only a Shelby branded engine. The top of the line engine includes the Shelby 427FE V8.
Original Style Suspension
The Shelby 85th Commemorative GT40® features an original style fully independent suspension system utilizing an unequal length A-arm design. The coilover system utilizes H&R springs and Bilstein shocks that are fully adjustable as well as the front and rear anti-roll bars. Ride height can be changed from 4.125 to 4.75 inches.
Wheels/Tires/Brakes
Incredible braking performance is achieved through vented Wilwood super light brakes. Both front and rear brakes feature 12.75" discs and 4-piston calipers. Original style 15-inch Halibrand wheels are wrapped with high performance BFGoodrich g-Force Drag Radial tires, 225/50/15 front, 275/60/15 rear.
Interior
The interior features original style seats with rivets and 4-point racing harness seat belts. A racing style dash features Smith gauges, and the pedal box, instruments, quick-release 14-inch steering wheel, and dash accurately replicate the original.
Unique 85th Commemorative Edition GT40® Features
The MKII Shelby GT40®'s will be based on the following cars. Only 85 of each color will be issued.
Car #1, Chassis P/1015: Arcadian Blue, White Stripes/Dark Blue borders, and Dayglo Red Fender Flashes
Car #2, Chassis P/1046: Black with solid Silver Stripes and White Roundels
Car #3, Chassis P/1047 Red with solid White Stripes and Roundels
Features Include:
- Record sale into the Shelby Registry
- Shelby MSO and dash plaque
- Carroll Shelby engraved door handles
- Carroll Shelby etched left and right front headlight covers
- Roundels with 85 number decals
- Leather seating
- Hood wind diffusers
- CS GT40® numbered plaque
- CS GT40® side sill graphics
- Carroll Shelby signature floor and sill mats
- 85th Commemorative hood badge
- 85th Special Edition decal
- Available in right and left hand drive
Available Race Version
While the standard Shelby 85th Commemorative GT40® is as close to a race car as one can get to driving on the street, a race version is also available. This package comes with a roll bar, fuel cell and A/C delete.
Vehicle specifications
Wheelbase: 95"
Length: 163"
Height: 40.5"
Width: 70"
Track (f/r): 57"/56"
Ground Clearance: 4.125" – 4.75"
Curb Weight: 2400 lbs
Weight Distribution: f/r: 40/60%
About Shelby Distribution
Based in Irvine, CA, Shelby Distribution is the official distributor for Shelby continuation cars. Their product lineup includes the CSX4000 Cobra, CSX9000, and the 85th Commemorative GT40. For more information on Shelby continuation cars or to find a dealership, visit www.shelbydistributionusa.com or call 888-SHELBY-USA. The GT40® trademark is owned by Safir GT40 Spares LLC.
May 1, 2008
Ford Mustang GT500KR Priced at $79,995
[Via AutoBlog & Jalopnik]
By Damon Lavrinc
Ford will be producing 1,000 GT500KR Mustangs this year, with another 700 in 2009, so FoMoCo is pricing the ultimate 'Stang accordingly. For $79,995 (including destination and gas-guzzler tax), you get everything included in the "standard" GT500, plus Ford Racing's Power Upgrade Package, which includes a new exhaust and a recalibrated ECU to push out 540 hp and 510 lb.-ft. of torque from the supercharged 5.4-liter V8. The only options on the ordering form are a Shaker 1000 stereo, Sirius satellite radio and a navigation system. Ford hasn't disclosed fuel economy numbers yet, but we doubt anyone willing to drop $80k on a blown V8 is troubled by topping off their own KR with $4.00-a-gallon premium. Get your orders in now; sales begin later this month.
Don't forget to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our First Drive: 2008 Shelby GT500KR if you haven't already, as well as the galleries below that contain a number of high-res images begging to be your next desktop wallpaper.
PRESS RELEASE
FORD SHELBY GT500KR: WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE FROM THE MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION MUSTANG EVER
The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR is the new "King of the Road" – the most powerful production Mustang ever produced, thanks to a 540-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 with 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
* The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR is the new "King of the Road" – the most powerful production Mustang ever produced, thanks to a 540-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 with 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
* New GT500KR blends performance engineering expertise of Ford SVT, trackside learnings from Ford Racing Technology and ingenuity of Shelby Automobiles to deliver world-class handling and performance. The Ford Shelby GT500KR arrives at select Ford dealerships in late May.
Long live the King! The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR, "King of the Road" assumes the throne, taking its rightful place as the ultimate American muscle car.
The GT500KR builds on the already impressive stats of the Shelby GT500, with 40 more horsepower, an additional 30 foot-pounds of torque and an array of chassis, aero and weight-reduction measures to offer world-class performance. Engineered by Ford SVT with final assembly by Shelby Automobiles, it blends track learnings from the Ford Racing Mustang FR500C and the ingenuity of Carroll Shelby to deliver the ultimate in Mustang performance.
"Every new Shelby Mustang renews my energy and passion for performance," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "I'm just as excited about the 2008 KR as I was when I developed the first one. The team has done a great job with this car. It is this is truly the best Shelby Mustang we've ever built...so far."
The Shelby GT500KR is the latest in a royal lineage that spans more than 40 years, beginning with the 1965 Shelby GT350 and including the original 1968 Shelby GT500KR that provided the inspiration. Carroll Shelby has played an active role in the development of every one.
"When the names Mustang and Shelby come together, the results are never anything less than amazing," said Robert Parker, Ford Car Marketing manager. "Mustang has earned an endearing place in America's hearts, topping the sports car segment for 22 straight years. The GT500KR is sure to get those hearts pumping even faster."
Delivering the Ultimate in Mustang Performance
Just like its 1968 namesake, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR builds on the strong foundation of the Shelby GT500. Ford and Shelby designers collaborated to channel the classic KR design cues and finesse them into the iconic lines of the new Mustang. Most noticeable are the modern interpretation of the distinctive, sculpted KR hood and classic Le Mans-style striping.
The development team spent countless hours designing a car that pays homage to the 1968 "King of the Road," but this thoroughbred is more than just a pretty face. The GT500KR is inspired by Ford Racing's experience on the race track and finessed with the trademark SVT engineering and Shelby Automobiles' proven delivery of balanced performance production for the street. Its chassis incorporates unique suspension components developed especially for the KR.
The suspension's stiffness has been enhanced with wheel rates 17 percent higher in the front and 7 percent higher in the rear. Every other element of the chassis system – such as sway bars and shock absorbers – has been tuned especially to improve King of the Road's handling.
The new suspension was tuned to work with the Goodyear high-performance, P255/45Z18 front and P285/40ZR18 rear tires, developed specifically for the KR, with a compound that is exclusive to North America. The stickier tires help the short 3.73:1 rear gear (compared to the GT500's 3.31:1 rear gear) send maximum horsepower to the road and are an important component in the overall handling balance.
"The KR is much more than just a great straight-line performer. It's the complete package − handling, power and performance," said Jamal Hameedi, chief program engineer at Ford SVT. "The team put the GT500KR through rigorous testing and have witnessed slalom runs with sustained lateral acceleration of 1.0g on the skidpad. Those are world-class numbers."
The GT500KR doesn't just go better, it stops better. The new tires work with a recalibrated anti-lock braking system (ABS) that results in improved stopping distances 6 feet shorter from 60 to 0 than the stock GT500. The ABS system has been tuned to be unobtrusive during spirited driving. Similar honing was undertaken with the vehicle's traction-control system to optimize acceleration
The GT500KR's impeccable balance of handling and performance is the result of a holistic approach to the development, looking at the total vehicle with chassis and powertrain engineers working together to optimize all vehicle attributes.
For example, a new front splitter and revised rear spoiler aid in aerodynamic improvements, adding downforce over the front axle and moving the center of aero pressure forward in the vehicle to improve high-speed balance and stable, predictable braking character. The ride height has been lowered to the optimum setting for on-the-limit handling, lowering the front by 20 mm and the rear by 15 mm.
"The KR is more responsive and has more body control," said Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby Automobiles. "It delivers even more racing feel than a stock GT500. Yet it's still extremely comfortable and doesn't beat you up like some performance cars. We've been able to increase handling substantially without giving up a lot in ride comfort."
GT500KR 5.4-liter V-8 Receives the Royal Treatment
The 2008 "King of the Road" packs a walloping dose of Ford performance under a sculpted carbon fiber hood. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is enhanced with a series of Ford Racing-inspired upgrades that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540 and torque to 510 lb.-ft.
The added power is delivered courtesy of a revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit.
The unique carbon fiber hood, secured by a pair of stainless steel, twist-down hood pins, serves to relieve high-speed underhood pressure, move air from the front intake and engine compartment to the rear extractors and channel supplemental fresh air into the new cold air intake that feeds KR's massive V-8.
The Shelby GT500KR cold air intake seal was designed with the new hood to prevent hot engine compartment air from reaching the air intake. This channels ambient air to feed the supercharged intake for optimal combustion efficiency for horsepower and torque.
Calibration modifications include advancing the ignition timing as well as re-mapping the electronic throttle settings to provide quicker throttle response for better off-line and mid-range acceleration. Increased throttle response is met with a sharper roar from the Ford Racing-inspired exhaust system.
"Throttle response has been dramatically improved," said Hameedi. "The KR launches with authority and provides power on demand – throughout the entire power band."
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. Gear selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter. Topped with a white ball, the new shifter throws are 25 percent shorter than the unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, quicker shifts.
Inspired by Ford Racing Mustang FR500C motorsport experience, the Shelby GT500KR has been fitted with an elevated axle vent reservoir to prevent axle fluid expulsion during sustained periods of performance driving or track-day use.
A Legend in the Making
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.
"We are so proud of the Ford and Shelby teams coming together and working tirelessly for the last year to bring you the Ford Shelby GT500KRs with the specially engineered chassis, powertrain and exhaust components along with the unique carbon-fiber hood and the new short-throw shifter," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. "Every GT500KR will be hand customized and delivered to each customer in an enclosed transporter, just like the Ford GT."
Each 2008 GT500KR model is identified by a special 40th Anniversary badge 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 Automobiles, Inc., Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tag is affixed inside each vehicle's engine compartment.
Each new GT500KR also will be entered into the official Shelby Registry.
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.
Other standard equipment includes HID headlamps, an interior ambient lighting package, wrapped and stitched instrument panel, center console and armrests, as well as an electrochromic rearview mirror. Optional equipment includes a Shaker 1000 audio system, DVD navigation system and SIRIUS satellite radio.
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. The public will get its first taste of the GT500KR in late May, when selected dealers will offer the latest Shelby Mustang in a limited edition of 1,000 units for 2008. The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the Mustang GT500KR is $79,995, including destination and delivery charges.
By Damon Lavrinc
Ford will be producing 1,000 GT500KR Mustangs this year, with another 700 in 2009, so FoMoCo is pricing the ultimate 'Stang accordingly. For $79,995 (including destination and gas-guzzler tax), you get everything included in the "standard" GT500, plus Ford Racing's Power Upgrade Package, which includes a new exhaust and a recalibrated ECU to push out 540 hp and 510 lb.-ft. of torque from the supercharged 5.4-liter V8. The only options on the ordering form are a Shaker 1000 stereo, Sirius satellite radio and a navigation system. Ford hasn't disclosed fuel economy numbers yet, but we doubt anyone willing to drop $80k on a blown V8 is troubled by topping off their own KR with $4.00-a-gallon premium. Get your orders in now; sales begin later this month.
Don't forget to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our First Drive: 2008 Shelby GT500KR if you haven't already, as well as the galleries below that contain a number of high-res images begging to be your next desktop wallpaper.
PRESS RELEASE
FORD SHELBY GT500KR: WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE FROM THE MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION MUSTANG EVER
The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR is the new "King of the Road" – the most powerful production Mustang ever produced, thanks to a 540-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 with 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
* The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR is the new "King of the Road" – the most powerful production Mustang ever produced, thanks to a 540-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 with 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
* New GT500KR blends performance engineering expertise of Ford SVT, trackside learnings from Ford Racing Technology and ingenuity of Shelby Automobiles to deliver world-class handling and performance. The Ford Shelby GT500KR arrives at select Ford dealerships in late May.
Long live the King! The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR, "King of the Road" assumes the throne, taking its rightful place as the ultimate American muscle car.
The GT500KR builds on the already impressive stats of the Shelby GT500, with 40 more horsepower, an additional 30 foot-pounds of torque and an array of chassis, aero and weight-reduction measures to offer world-class performance. Engineered by Ford SVT with final assembly by Shelby Automobiles, it blends track learnings from the Ford Racing Mustang FR500C and the ingenuity of Carroll Shelby to deliver the ultimate in Mustang performance.
"Every new Shelby Mustang renews my energy and passion for performance," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "I'm just as excited about the 2008 KR as I was when I developed the first one. The team has done a great job with this car. It is this is truly the best Shelby Mustang we've ever built...so far."
The Shelby GT500KR is the latest in a royal lineage that spans more than 40 years, beginning with the 1965 Shelby GT350 and including the original 1968 Shelby GT500KR that provided the inspiration. Carroll Shelby has played an active role in the development of every one.
"When the names Mustang and Shelby come together, the results are never anything less than amazing," said Robert Parker, Ford Car Marketing manager. "Mustang has earned an endearing place in America's hearts, topping the sports car segment for 22 straight years. The GT500KR is sure to get those hearts pumping even faster."
Delivering the Ultimate in Mustang Performance
Just like its 1968 namesake, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR builds on the strong foundation of the Shelby GT500. Ford and Shelby designers collaborated to channel the classic KR design cues and finesse them into the iconic lines of the new Mustang. Most noticeable are the modern interpretation of the distinctive, sculpted KR hood and classic Le Mans-style striping.
The development team spent countless hours designing a car that pays homage to the 1968 "King of the Road," but this thoroughbred is more than just a pretty face. The GT500KR is inspired by Ford Racing's experience on the race track and finessed with the trademark SVT engineering and Shelby Automobiles' proven delivery of balanced performance production for the street. Its chassis incorporates unique suspension components developed especially for the KR.
The suspension's stiffness has been enhanced with wheel rates 17 percent higher in the front and 7 percent higher in the rear. Every other element of the chassis system – such as sway bars and shock absorbers – has been tuned especially to improve King of the Road's handling.
The new suspension was tuned to work with the Goodyear high-performance, P255/45Z18 front and P285/40ZR18 rear tires, developed specifically for the KR, with a compound that is exclusive to North America. The stickier tires help the short 3.73:1 rear gear (compared to the GT500's 3.31:1 rear gear) send maximum horsepower to the road and are an important component in the overall handling balance.
"The KR is much more than just a great straight-line performer. It's the complete package − handling, power and performance," said Jamal Hameedi, chief program engineer at Ford SVT. "The team put the GT500KR through rigorous testing and have witnessed slalom runs with sustained lateral acceleration of 1.0g on the skidpad. Those are world-class numbers."
The GT500KR doesn't just go better, it stops better. The new tires work with a recalibrated anti-lock braking system (ABS) that results in improved stopping distances 6 feet shorter from 60 to 0 than the stock GT500. The ABS system has been tuned to be unobtrusive during spirited driving. Similar honing was undertaken with the vehicle's traction-control system to optimize acceleration
The GT500KR's impeccable balance of handling and performance is the result of a holistic approach to the development, looking at the total vehicle with chassis and powertrain engineers working together to optimize all vehicle attributes.
For example, a new front splitter and revised rear spoiler aid in aerodynamic improvements, adding downforce over the front axle and moving the center of aero pressure forward in the vehicle to improve high-speed balance and stable, predictable braking character. The ride height has been lowered to the optimum setting for on-the-limit handling, lowering the front by 20 mm and the rear by 15 mm.
"The KR is more responsive and has more body control," said Gary Davis, vice president of production for Shelby Automobiles. "It delivers even more racing feel than a stock GT500. Yet it's still extremely comfortable and doesn't beat you up like some performance cars. We've been able to increase handling substantially without giving up a lot in ride comfort."
GT500KR 5.4-liter V-8 Receives the Royal Treatment
The 2008 "King of the Road" packs a walloping dose of Ford performance under a sculpted carbon fiber hood. The Ford SVT-engineered 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 is enhanced with a series of Ford Racing-inspired upgrades that boosts horsepower to an estimated 540 and torque to 510 lb.-ft.
The added power is delivered courtesy of a revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold air intake system that replaces the stock unit.
The unique carbon fiber hood, secured by a pair of stainless steel, twist-down hood pins, serves to relieve high-speed underhood pressure, move air from the front intake and engine compartment to the rear extractors and channel supplemental fresh air into the new cold air intake that feeds KR's massive V-8.
The Shelby GT500KR cold air intake seal was designed with the new hood to prevent hot engine compartment air from reaching the air intake. This channels ambient air to feed the supercharged intake for optimal combustion efficiency for horsepower and torque.
Calibration modifications include advancing the ignition timing as well as re-mapping the electronic throttle settings to provide quicker throttle response for better off-line and mid-range acceleration. Increased throttle response is met with a sharper roar from the Ford Racing-inspired exhaust system.
"Throttle response has been dramatically improved," said Hameedi. "The KR launches with authority and provides power on demand – throughout the entire power band."
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. Gear selection is courtesy of an all-new Ford Racing short-throw shifter. Topped with a white ball, the new shifter throws are 25 percent shorter than the unit on the GT500 providing for crisper, quicker shifts.
Inspired by Ford Racing Mustang FR500C motorsport experience, the Shelby GT500KR has been fitted with an elevated axle vent reservoir to prevent axle fluid expulsion during sustained periods of performance driving or track-day use.
A Legend in the Making
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.
"We are so proud of the Ford and Shelby teams coming together and working tirelessly for the last year to bring you the Ford Shelby GT500KRs with the specially engineered chassis, powertrain and exhaust components along with the unique carbon-fiber hood and the new short-throw shifter," said Amy Boylan, president of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. "Every GT500KR will be hand customized and delivered to each customer in an enclosed transporter, just like the Ford GT."
Each 2008 GT500KR model is identified by a special 40th Anniversary badge 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 Automobiles, Inc., Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tag is affixed inside each vehicle's engine compartment.
Each new GT500KR also will be entered into the official Shelby Registry.
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.
Other standard equipment includes HID headlamps, an interior ambient lighting package, wrapped and stitched instrument panel, center console and armrests, as well as an electrochromic rearview mirror. Optional equipment includes a Shaker 1000 audio system, DVD navigation system and SIRIUS satellite radio.
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. The public will get its first taste of the GT500KR in late May, when selected dealers will offer the latest Shelby Mustang in a limited edition of 1,000 units for 2008. The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the Mustang GT500KR is $79,995, including destination and delivery charges.
April 28, 2008
First 2009 GT500KRs From Shelby Autos
[Via AutoBlog]
By Jeremy Korzeniewski
We got a chance to visit Shelby Automotive out in Las Vegas a week or so ago to witness the first 2009 GT500KR going through final assembly. Although the KR was originally intended to be an '08-only model release, demand for the new King of the Road was high enough that Ford and Shelby decided to keep on rollin' for another year and plans to offer an additional 746 units for 2009. As a refresher, these beasts are powered by a 540-horsepower version of the GT500's supercharged V8. If you love special edition versions of the Mustang like this one but aren't ready yet to buy, fear not... we have a feeling that there will be many more to choose from in the coming years.
By Jeremy Korzeniewski
We got a chance to visit Shelby Automotive out in Las Vegas a week or so ago to witness the first 2009 GT500KR going through final assembly. Although the KR was originally intended to be an '08-only model release, demand for the new King of the Road was high enough that Ford and Shelby decided to keep on rollin' for another year and plans to offer an additional 746 units for 2009. As a refresher, these beasts are powered by a 540-horsepower version of the GT500's supercharged V8. If you love special edition versions of the Mustang like this one but aren't ready yet to buy, fear not... we have a feeling that there will be many more to choose from in the coming years.
April 17, 2008
March 24, 2008
Ford Increases Production of 2008 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR
[Via WorldCarFans]
Shelby GT500KR is such a hit that more examples are to find their way into enthusiasts’ garages in the next year or so. This after the demand began to outstrip supply to dangerous levels, such that Ford and partner on the project Shelby Automobiles decided to produce an additional 746 units for the 2009 model. US buyers will receive 571 units for their top dollar. Production of the car began the day Carroll Shelby celebrated 85 years of his own birth back on January 11, 2008.
GT500KR fits a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 on its bones to make a hefty 540 bhp, working with a short-throw shifter and racing suspension tuning. “This car is really special to me and demonstrates that when Shelby Automobiles gets together with Ford SVT and Ford Racing, we can deliver a Mustang that will compete with the best in the world,” is what Shelby himself was heard to say.
The cars arrive at Shelby Automotive in Las Vegas as standard Mustang GT500 cars where they undergo an extensive metamorphosis of chassis tuning, performance kit installation and exterior mods to come out the way they are. Such is the interest in GT500KR that at a recent charity auction a unique one – glass roof and all – went for a shivering USD550,000! Curiosity will only heighten when it debuts as K.I.T.T. in the next installment of Knight Rider.
Shelby GT500KR is such a hit that more examples are to find their way into enthusiasts’ garages in the next year or so. This after the demand began to outstrip supply to dangerous levels, such that Ford and partner on the project Shelby Automobiles decided to produce an additional 746 units for the 2009 model. US buyers will receive 571 units for their top dollar. Production of the car began the day Carroll Shelby celebrated 85 years of his own birth back on January 11, 2008.
GT500KR fits a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 on its bones to make a hefty 540 bhp, working with a short-throw shifter and racing suspension tuning. “This car is really special to me and demonstrates that when Shelby Automobiles gets together with Ford SVT and Ford Racing, we can deliver a Mustang that will compete with the best in the world,” is what Shelby himself was heard to say.
The cars arrive at Shelby Automotive in Las Vegas as standard Mustang GT500 cars where they undergo an extensive metamorphosis of chassis tuning, performance kit installation and exterior mods to come out the way they are. Such is the interest in GT500KR that at a recent charity auction a unique one – glass roof and all – went for a shivering USD550,000! Curiosity will only heighten when it debuts as K.I.T.T. in the next installment of Knight Rider.
March 20, 2008
NYIAS: Ford Debuts 2009 Edition "Warriors in Pink" Mustang
[Via AutoBlog]
New York has been a relatively quiet show for Ford, with the Transit Connect Taxi Concept being its highest-profile (literally, even) unveiling at the show. It's not the only one, however. Ford quietly unveiled the 2009 "Warriors in Pink" Mustang. Like its predecessors, the WIP 'Stang will be produced in a limited run (1,000 cars) with $500 from each sale going to the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure, a charitable organization dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness. The '09 Warriors In Pink cars are Mustang V6 Premium models adorned with a new grille, pink hood and side stripes, pink-ribbon badging, and pink accent stitching inside. The display car is a silver coupe with the optional glass roof. The car is also available as a ragtop, and black or white paint is also on offer. On the coupe Carroll Shelby once referred to as a "secretary's car", the Warriors In Pink package seems to fit right in.
[Source: Ford]
For morepictures of the NYIAS coverage, see AutoBlog's full gallery HERE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD LAUNCHES 'WARRIORS IN PINK' MUSTANG FOR '09, DOUBLES CONTRIBUTIONS TO RACE FOR THE CURE
* Ford unveils new 'Warriors in Pink' edition Mustang at the New York International Auto Show to raise money for breast cancer education and research.
* The company is doubling its contribution to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – to $500 for each Warriors in Pink Mustang sold.
* Ford and its dealers together have dedicated more than $95 million in cash and in-kind contributions for breast cancer education and research.
NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 – Ford Motor Company, which has dedicated more than $95 million in cash and in-kind contributions for breast cancer education and research for 14 years, announces today that it is doubling its contribution to Susan G. Komen for the Cure each time it sells a 'Warriors in Pink' package for the 2009 Ford Mustang.
"Thanks to the tremendous response from our dealers and customers to the 2008 'Warriors in Pink' Mustang, we knew we needed to continue offering the package, and we're happy to be able to increase our support for the Cure at the same time," said Connie Fontaine, Ford Experiential Marketing manager.
Produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, the Mustang with Warriors in Pink package was designed exclusively in support of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. New upgrades for the 2009 package are featured on the Ford display at the New York International Auto Show.
Available on the Mustang V-6 Premium Coupe and Convertible models, the Warriors in Pink package includes a unique grille and will add a pink ribbon and pony fender badge, pink Mustang rocker tape striping, charcoal leather seats with pink stitching, aluminum-spoke steering wheel with pink stitching and charcoal floormats with pink ribbon and contrast stitching.
Coupes also can be ordered with the all-new glass roof option. Three body colors will be available: Black, Brilliant Silver and Performance White.
Ford Warriors in Pink
Launched in 2006, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign recognizes the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer.
Ford's goal in 2008 is to donate more than $1 million for the Cure through these sales of the special Mustangs, Warriors in Pink apparel and other fundraising efforts.
The Warriors in Pink apparel collection for men and women feature important symbols signifying the message of hope, strength and unity in the commitment to the fight against breast cancer. All apparel is available on www.fordcares.com, and 100 percent of net proceeds are donated to Komen for the Cure.
The limited-edition 2009 Mustang with Warriors in Pink will be available through Ford dealers this summer.
Mustang is one of the greatest automotive sales success stories of all time. Nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang, and the Mustang is also America's best-selling convertible.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which helped launch the global breast cancer awareness and education movement.
Today, Race for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Race for the Cure, the foundation has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill that promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I'M AWARE.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 245,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's breast cancer awareness initiatives, visit www.fordcares.com.
[Source: Ford]
New York has been a relatively quiet show for Ford, with the Transit Connect Taxi Concept being its highest-profile (literally, even) unveiling at the show. It's not the only one, however. Ford quietly unveiled the 2009 "Warriors in Pink" Mustang. Like its predecessors, the WIP 'Stang will be produced in a limited run (1,000 cars) with $500 from each sale going to the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure, a charitable organization dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness. The '09 Warriors In Pink cars are Mustang V6 Premium models adorned with a new grille, pink hood and side stripes, pink-ribbon badging, and pink accent stitching inside. The display car is a silver coupe with the optional glass roof. The car is also available as a ragtop, and black or white paint is also on offer. On the coupe Carroll Shelby once referred to as a "secretary's car", the Warriors In Pink package seems to fit right in.
[Source: Ford]
For morepictures of the NYIAS coverage, see AutoBlog's full gallery HERE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD LAUNCHES 'WARRIORS IN PINK' MUSTANG FOR '09, DOUBLES CONTRIBUTIONS TO RACE FOR THE CURE
* Ford unveils new 'Warriors in Pink' edition Mustang at the New York International Auto Show to raise money for breast cancer education and research.
* The company is doubling its contribution to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – to $500 for each Warriors in Pink Mustang sold.
* Ford and its dealers together have dedicated more than $95 million in cash and in-kind contributions for breast cancer education and research.
NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 – Ford Motor Company, which has dedicated more than $95 million in cash and in-kind contributions for breast cancer education and research for 14 years, announces today that it is doubling its contribution to Susan G. Komen for the Cure each time it sells a 'Warriors in Pink' package for the 2009 Ford Mustang.
"Thanks to the tremendous response from our dealers and customers to the 2008 'Warriors in Pink' Mustang, we knew we needed to continue offering the package, and we're happy to be able to increase our support for the Cure at the same time," said Connie Fontaine, Ford Experiential Marketing manager.
Produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, the Mustang with Warriors in Pink package was designed exclusively in support of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure. New upgrades for the 2009 package are featured on the Ford display at the New York International Auto Show.
Available on the Mustang V-6 Premium Coupe and Convertible models, the Warriors in Pink package includes a unique grille and will add a pink ribbon and pony fender badge, pink Mustang rocker tape striping, charcoal leather seats with pink stitching, aluminum-spoke steering wheel with pink stitching and charcoal floormats with pink ribbon and contrast stitching.
Coupes also can be ordered with the all-new glass roof option. Three body colors will be available: Black, Brilliant Silver and Performance White.
Ford Warriors in Pink
Launched in 2006, the Ford Warriors in Pink campaign recognizes the strength and courage it takes to deal with the everyday challenges of fighting breast cancer.
Ford's goal in 2008 is to donate more than $1 million for the Cure through these sales of the special Mustangs, Warriors in Pink apparel and other fundraising efforts.
The Warriors in Pink apparel collection for men and women feature important symbols signifying the message of hope, strength and unity in the commitment to the fight against breast cancer. All apparel is available on www.fordcares.com, and 100 percent of net proceeds are donated to Komen for the Cure.
The limited-edition 2009 Mustang with Warriors in Pink will be available through Ford dealers this summer.
Mustang is one of the greatest automotive sales success stories of all time. Nearly one out of every two sports cars sold in America is a Mustang, and the Mustang is also America's best-selling convertible.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which helped launch the global breast cancer awareness and education movement.
Today, Race for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Race for the Cure, the foundation has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill that promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-800 I'M AWARE.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 245,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's breast cancer awareness initiatives, visit www.fordcares.com.
[Source: Ford]
NYIAS: Saleen Debuts Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang
[Via WorldCarFans & Jalopnik]
Dan Gurney said that he only had one request before agreeing to endorse a special-edition Saleen Mustang designed in his honor: it had to be "faster than Parnelli's." Saleen was happy to comply, and the Dan Gurney Signature Edition was born. Like the Parnelli Jones Signature limited edition, the Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang features graphics inspired by classic Trans Am race series cars, an extremely limited production run and of course some serious performance parts.
The Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang is set apart by a special body kit, duckbill rear spoiler and a "stinger"style hood scoop. Inside, a signature plate is personally signed by Gurney, and the two-tone seats have blue or red Alcantara inserts that are color-matched to the exterior. Saleen will build 100 Dan Gurney Signature Editions in each available color: Torch Red, Performance White and Vista Blue. Like the Parnelli Jones edition, the racing stripes and number stickers will be available so owners can create a road-going race replica if they desire. It's a tasteful package that will appeal to fans of vintage racers without looking too garish.
To ensure that Gurney's performance wishes were fulfilled, Saleen installed a supercharged 465-horsepower 281 cubic-inch V8 under the hood and connected it to a short-throw shifter. A 3.73 limited-slip Max Grip rear end helps to get the power to the road. Handling is improved with a Racecraft suspension, a second-generation Watts-Link rear end and Pirelli Corsa tires. The suspension setup was approved by Gurney himself.
It's a cool package; all we can hope is that someone will arrange a track-day shootout of each Saleen special edition, with its namesake at the wheel.
[Source: Saleen]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Official Press Release
Saleen Partner's with an American Icon to Create an American Legend New York, NY (March 20, 2008) - Saleen Automotive, America's premiere automotive enthusiast brand for over a quarter of a century, announced today at the New York Auto Show that it has entered into a partnership with American automotive legend Dan Gurney for creation of a special Gurney Signature Edition Mustang. "It is amazing that just two years ago Saleen was standing on stage here at the Javitz Center with Parnelli Jones and today we are with his long time rival and friend, and truthfully one of America's racing heroes, Mr. Dan Gurney," said Saleen President and CEO Paul Wilbur. All 300 of the Gurney Signature Edition vehicles will feature Saleen's 465 HP supercharged 281 cubic inch engine, short throw shifter, and 3.73 Max Grip rear axle. In addition, the vehicles will have custom two-tone seats that feature either blue or red Alcantara inserts designed to keep your rear end planted firmly behind the wheel. The legendary Gurney Eagle© logo is featured on the steering wheel and several other places around the car. The exterior reflects the look of Dan's 1969 Trans Am series Mustang, masterfully recreated in a fashion that honors history but looks aggressively towards the future. The heritage styled Gurney Edition body kit, 'duck bill' rear spoiler and 'stinger' style hood all come together in harmony with the carefully placed graphics and die cut Gurney Eagle insignia. "I am pleased that they could make a car that is so beautiful but still so true to my old race car. At the end of the day, all I really want is a car that is faster than Parnelli's" said racing great, Dan Gurney. Saleen executives were not prepared to make that statement, but what they did say is: "this is likely the best all around 281 supercharged car that Saleen has ever built," commented Saleen General Manager, Marques McCammon. "Dan Gurney has always been about business on the track. His cars were light, fast and handled like they were on rails," said Saleen Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Chris Theodore. "I'll admit we added a little weight when we added the blower to this car, but you will be shocked at how this car cuts through a corner." The Gurney Signature Edition gets its dynamic ability from the specially tuned Racecraft suspension, Generation-II Watts-Link Rear End, and super sticky Pirelli Corsa tires. This is a suspension combination that has never before been featured on a Saleen vehicle, and one that received the personal stamp from Dan Gurney himself. "It is like a dream come true to spend time on the tarmac with the Gurney's. Together, we will create a package that I am sure that market will love," said Chassis and Dynamics Lead Derk Hartland. The Gurney Signature Edition Mustang is slated to begin production this April and should start appearing in dealers later that month. With production being limited to only 300 cars, the Gurney Edition is sure to be a must have amongst collectors. In honor of Mr. Gurney's 'All American Racer persona the cars will be offered in only three colors: Torch Red, Performance White, and the feature color Vista Blue. One hundred of each color will be made with contrasting color graphics and interiors, and a set of "#2" roundels to truly relive the Gurney experience. "The most important piece of the car to me is Dan Gurney's signature on the center of the dash," commented Wilbur. " I view it as the stamp of approval by one of America's greatest drivers"
[Source: Saleen]
Dan Gurney said that he only had one request before agreeing to endorse a special-edition Saleen Mustang designed in his honor: it had to be "faster than Parnelli's." Saleen was happy to comply, and the Dan Gurney Signature Edition was born. Like the Parnelli Jones Signature limited edition, the Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang features graphics inspired by classic Trans Am race series cars, an extremely limited production run and of course some serious performance parts.
The Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang is set apart by a special body kit, duckbill rear spoiler and a "stinger"style hood scoop. Inside, a signature plate is personally signed by Gurney, and the two-tone seats have blue or red Alcantara inserts that are color-matched to the exterior. Saleen will build 100 Dan Gurney Signature Editions in each available color: Torch Red, Performance White and Vista Blue. Like the Parnelli Jones edition, the racing stripes and number stickers will be available so owners can create a road-going race replica if they desire. It's a tasteful package that will appeal to fans of vintage racers without looking too garish.
To ensure that Gurney's performance wishes were fulfilled, Saleen installed a supercharged 465-horsepower 281 cubic-inch V8 under the hood and connected it to a short-throw shifter. A 3.73 limited-slip Max Grip rear end helps to get the power to the road. Handling is improved with a Racecraft suspension, a second-generation Watts-Link rear end and Pirelli Corsa tires. The suspension setup was approved by Gurney himself.
It's a cool package; all we can hope is that someone will arrange a track-day shootout of each Saleen special edition, with its namesake at the wheel.
[Source: Saleen]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Official Press Release
Saleen Partner's with an American Icon to Create an American Legend New York, NY (March 20, 2008) - Saleen Automotive, America's premiere automotive enthusiast brand for over a quarter of a century, announced today at the New York Auto Show that it has entered into a partnership with American automotive legend Dan Gurney for creation of a special Gurney Signature Edition Mustang. "It is amazing that just two years ago Saleen was standing on stage here at the Javitz Center with Parnelli Jones and today we are with his long time rival and friend, and truthfully one of America's racing heroes, Mr. Dan Gurney," said Saleen President and CEO Paul Wilbur. All 300 of the Gurney Signature Edition vehicles will feature Saleen's 465 HP supercharged 281 cubic inch engine, short throw shifter, and 3.73 Max Grip rear axle. In addition, the vehicles will have custom two-tone seats that feature either blue or red Alcantara inserts designed to keep your rear end planted firmly behind the wheel. The legendary Gurney Eagle© logo is featured on the steering wheel and several other places around the car. The exterior reflects the look of Dan's 1969 Trans Am series Mustang, masterfully recreated in a fashion that honors history but looks aggressively towards the future. The heritage styled Gurney Edition body kit, 'duck bill' rear spoiler and 'stinger' style hood all come together in harmony with the carefully placed graphics and die cut Gurney Eagle insignia. "I am pleased that they could make a car that is so beautiful but still so true to my old race car. At the end of the day, all I really want is a car that is faster than Parnelli's" said racing great, Dan Gurney. Saleen executives were not prepared to make that statement, but what they did say is: "this is likely the best all around 281 supercharged car that Saleen has ever built," commented Saleen General Manager, Marques McCammon. "Dan Gurney has always been about business on the track. His cars were light, fast and handled like they were on rails," said Saleen Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Chris Theodore. "I'll admit we added a little weight when we added the blower to this car, but you will be shocked at how this car cuts through a corner." The Gurney Signature Edition gets its dynamic ability from the specially tuned Racecraft suspension, Generation-II Watts-Link Rear End, and super sticky Pirelli Corsa tires. This is a suspension combination that has never before been featured on a Saleen vehicle, and one that received the personal stamp from Dan Gurney himself. "It is like a dream come true to spend time on the tarmac with the Gurney's. Together, we will create a package that I am sure that market will love," said Chassis and Dynamics Lead Derk Hartland. The Gurney Signature Edition Mustang is slated to begin production this April and should start appearing in dealers later that month. With production being limited to only 300 cars, the Gurney Edition is sure to be a must have amongst collectors. In honor of Mr. Gurney's 'All American Racer persona the cars will be offered in only three colors: Torch Red, Performance White, and the feature color Vista Blue. One hundred of each color will be made with contrasting color graphics and interiors, and a set of "#2" roundels to truly relive the Gurney experience. "The most important piece of the car to me is Dan Gurney's signature on the center of the dash," commented Wilbur. " I view it as the stamp of approval by one of America's greatest drivers"
[Source: Saleen]
March 19, 2008
NYIAS: Saleen S5S Raptor Concept on Web a Day Before Debut
[Via WorldCarFans]
A day before the S5S Raptor by Saleen is undressed at the New York Auto Show and we have official pictures as well as what latent talents the Raptor may have. S5S turns out to be worth some 650 bhp from the 5.0-litre supercharged engine. The 630 lb-ft of torque goes straight to the rear wheels, aided by a 6-speed manual transmission, to guarantee a time of 3.2 seconds from zero to 60 mph. A sequential gearbox will be delivered along after 2010 when the car goes to market, and as is the norm nowadays, it should prove even quicker than the manual. Said rear wheels measure 315/35ZR20s, while the front sports 275/35ZR20s.
The Saleen S5S Raptor carries a price tag of around USD185,000 considered by some as a bargain considering the types of figures we’ve just thrown about. You do pay for speeds in excess of 200 mph.
On top of it all the S5S will run on E85, proving that clean doesn’t have to be performance-dumb. Live pictures from the show will be going up on this site soon after the car’s unveiling.
[Source: Motortrend via Autoblog via Edmunds InsideLine]
A day before the S5S Raptor by Saleen is undressed at the New York Auto Show and we have official pictures as well as what latent talents the Raptor may have. S5S turns out to be worth some 650 bhp from the 5.0-litre supercharged engine. The 630 lb-ft of torque goes straight to the rear wheels, aided by a 6-speed manual transmission, to guarantee a time of 3.2 seconds from zero to 60 mph. A sequential gearbox will be delivered along after 2010 when the car goes to market, and as is the norm nowadays, it should prove even quicker than the manual. Said rear wheels measure 315/35ZR20s, while the front sports 275/35ZR20s.
The Saleen S5S Raptor carries a price tag of around USD185,000 considered by some as a bargain considering the types of figures we’ve just thrown about. You do pay for speeds in excess of 200 mph.
On top of it all the S5S will run on E85, proving that clean doesn’t have to be performance-dumb. Live pictures from the show will be going up on this site soon after the car’s unveiling.
[Source: Motortrend via Autoblog via Edmunds InsideLine]
March 18, 2008
Saleen Offers Heritage Body Kit For 2005-2008 Mustangs
[Via MustangEvolution]
Saleen has announced that the Heritage styling, which can be found on Heritage Mustangs such as the 2008 Saleen H302 SC, has been made available to 2005-2008 Mustang owners as a complete kit or as individual pieces. The complete kit comes with front and rear fascias, side skirts, spoiler, rear louvers and quarter window panels at a price of $2,499.99. For the complete list of parts and prices check out the *.pdf here.
2008 Saleen H302 SC Mustang with Heritage Body Kit
"Oooh... Nice Car!"
"Just look at them louvres there!"
Saleen has announced that the Heritage styling, which can be found on Heritage Mustangs such as the 2008 Saleen H302 SC, has been made available to 2005-2008 Mustang owners as a complete kit or as individual pieces. The complete kit comes with front and rear fascias, side skirts, spoiler, rear louvers and quarter window panels at a price of $2,499.99. For the complete list of parts and prices check out the *.pdf here.
March 13, 2008
Transformers Ford Mustang Police Cop Car Replica Not Police Approved
[Via Jalopnik]
A man by the name of Jesse Vigil has decked out a 2007 Mustang to look like Barricade the Saleen Mustang from Transformers and not surprisingly, the local cops don't approve. Much to the delight of Transformers fans everywhere, including Vigil's son and the inspiration for the mod, the cops can't do a damn thing as long as Vigil isn't impersonating the police.
Despite not being a Saleen, the car is a fairly solid replica. It include the slogan "To punish and enslave and more. It does also include a non-functional siren bar. The police shouldn't bust Vigil's chops too much. He did the replica for his son after returning from Iraq. It should be illegal to bust the chops of somebody with those credentials.
[Via KansasCity.com and The Associated Press]
Vegas Man Paints Car Like Police Cruiser
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 13, 2008
Filed at 1:42 a.m. EST
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) -- Jessie Vigil's black-and-white car sports a red-and-blue emergency bar across the top and the word ''police'' painted on the doors. Vigil, however, isn't a cop. Law enforcement agencies say what he's done with his car isn't illegal as long as he doesn't act like a police officer.
He started decorating his 2007 Ford Mustang last summer to look like the police cruiser in the ''Transformers'' movie because his 7-year-old son, Thomas, was fond of the film.
''My intent was to re-create the movie car,'' said Vigil, a 35-year-old disabled veteran from the war in Iraq. ''When I came back from Iraq, I tried to spoil him. I wasn't the best dad before.''
He said he called the district attorney's office beforehand and spoke to Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Ulibarri, who tried to discourage his decorating scheme but couldn't find anything in the law that would stop Vigil as long as he didn't impersonate an officer.
Ulibarri said a state law prevents people from mimicking state police cars, which are painted black and white. But he also said the state police sell their old cars to private citizens without changing the colors.
''Are we violating our own law by not repainting them?'' he asked.
He called the state law vague, and noted that normal state police cars aren't Mustangs.
''I don't think this guy has any intent to mimic a state police officer,'' Ulibarri said. ''I'm not hearing that he is causing a problem and arresting people.''
A close look shows Vigil's car isn't a police cruiser. Instead of the familiar slogan ''To protect and serve,'' it carries a motto: ''To punish and enslave'' on the side. Instead of telling people to dial 911 for emergencies, the Mustang advises them to ''dial 411 for theater information.''
He originally marked his car, ''Transformers police'' but later changed it to just ''police.'' He also added what appears to be a bar of emergency lights, but said they're not actual lights.
Vigil acknowledged people have mixed feelings about his car.
State police Capt. Craig Martin said the agency is ''concerned for the safety of people who think he is an officer and think they may get help from him.
''People around town know who he is, but not those people on the interstate.''
------
Source Information from: Las Vegas Optic
March 9, 2008
March 7, 2008
First Ford Mustang FR500S Race Cars Delivered
[Via WorldCarFans]
By Michael Gauthier
Last year we brought you news from the SEMA show that Ford was preparing to launch a new budget Mustang racer. Now the company has announced they delivered the first 19 Mustang FR500S’ last weekend at the inaugural Ford Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup racing series.
New owners were given the chance to meet with series officials, receive technical information from Ford Racing engineers and attend the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School. Priced at $75,000 the FR500S race cars sits below other Mustang race cars like the FR500C ($125,000) and the FR500GT ($250,000).
Power is provided by a tweaked version of the standard 4.6L V8 found in the Mustang GT, producing about 325 hp. Changes to the car include a new cold air intake, a modified exhaust system, performance tuning by Roush, a stripped down interior to remove excess weight, the addition of a rear wing and a roll cage. Co-developed by Ford Racing Technology and Miller Motorsports Park, a total of 77 Mustang FR500S’ were built by AutoAlliance International in Michigan.
The cars will compete in the Ford Mustang Challenge which will be held at various race tracks across the United States. Sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, the series will only be open to racers with the new FR500S.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release
The inaugural Ford Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup racing series held its first official event this past weekend with 19 entrants taking delivery of their new Mustang FR500S race cars in a special program at Miller Motorsports Park.
Participants also had the opportunity to attend the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School, meet series officials, receive technical information from Ford Racing engineers and shake down their new race cars for the first time during the open track sessions on both Saturday and Sunday.
“The Mustang was a dominant showroom-based race car during the glory days of American road racing in the mid-1960’s and ‘70’s and this car certainly continues that proud tradition,” said Jamie Allison, manager of the Ford Performance Group. “Our intent was to develop a fun-to-drive reliable race car that delivers on what people have come to expect from a Mustang – V8 power and rear-wheel drive performance at an affordable price, and I think we’ve accomplished that with the FR500S.
“In the short time since the creation of the Mustang Challenge was announced at SEMA, the interest in the both the FR500S and the series has exceeded our expectations,” Allison continued. “We have a terrific mix of participants that bring experience from various forms of racing, including the Grand Am KONI Challenge Series, which should produce exciting, fender-to-fender racing.”
The FR500S was co-developed by Ford Racing Technology and Miller Motorsports Park and is the newest addition to the Mustang FR500 racing family. A total of 77 cars were manufactured at AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, MI, with additional race-prep fabrication at Watson Engineering (Taylor, MI) and final race prep at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT, the FR500S is the first race car built by Ford Motor Company at a production facility intended for sale to the public.
The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge is a new professional racing series co-developed by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park and appeals to racers looking to compete in an affordable, challenging V8-powered rear-wheel-drive car. Utilizing only the new Ford Mustang FR500S and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, the series will stage eight races in support of major professional road racing events across North America:
May 2-4
Road Atlanta
HSR
June 13-15
Mosport International Raceway
NASCAR (Canada)
June 20-22
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Grand Am
July 18-20
Barber Motorsports Park
Grand Am
August 15-16
Lime Rock Park
NASCAR (East)
August 29-21
New Jersey Motorsports Park
Grand Am
September 19-21
Miller Motorsports Park (doubleheader)
Grand Am
For more information about the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup or details on how to purchase a Mustang FR500S, please visit www.MustangChallenge.com.
Source: Ford
By Michael Gauthier
Last year we brought you news from the SEMA show that Ford was preparing to launch a new budget Mustang racer. Now the company has announced they delivered the first 19 Mustang FR500S’ last weekend at the inaugural Ford Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup racing series.
New owners were given the chance to meet with series officials, receive technical information from Ford Racing engineers and attend the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School. Priced at $75,000 the FR500S race cars sits below other Mustang race cars like the FR500C ($125,000) and the FR500GT ($250,000).
Power is provided by a tweaked version of the standard 4.6L V8 found in the Mustang GT, producing about 325 hp. Changes to the car include a new cold air intake, a modified exhaust system, performance tuning by Roush, a stripped down interior to remove excess weight, the addition of a rear wing and a roll cage. Co-developed by Ford Racing Technology and Miller Motorsports Park, a total of 77 Mustang FR500S’ were built by AutoAlliance International in Michigan.
The cars will compete in the Ford Mustang Challenge which will be held at various race tracks across the United States. Sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, the series will only be open to racers with the new FR500S.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release
The inaugural Ford Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup racing series held its first official event this past weekend with 19 entrants taking delivery of their new Mustang FR500S race cars in a special program at Miller Motorsports Park.
Participants also had the opportunity to attend the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School, meet series officials, receive technical information from Ford Racing engineers and shake down their new race cars for the first time during the open track sessions on both Saturday and Sunday.
“The Mustang was a dominant showroom-based race car during the glory days of American road racing in the mid-1960’s and ‘70’s and this car certainly continues that proud tradition,” said Jamie Allison, manager of the Ford Performance Group. “Our intent was to develop a fun-to-drive reliable race car that delivers on what people have come to expect from a Mustang – V8 power and rear-wheel drive performance at an affordable price, and I think we’ve accomplished that with the FR500S.
“In the short time since the creation of the Mustang Challenge was announced at SEMA, the interest in the both the FR500S and the series has exceeded our expectations,” Allison continued. “We have a terrific mix of participants that bring experience from various forms of racing, including the Grand Am KONI Challenge Series, which should produce exciting, fender-to-fender racing.”
The FR500S was co-developed by Ford Racing Technology and Miller Motorsports Park and is the newest addition to the Mustang FR500 racing family. A total of 77 cars were manufactured at AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, MI, with additional race-prep fabrication at Watson Engineering (Taylor, MI) and final race prep at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT, the FR500S is the first race car built by Ford Motor Company at a production facility intended for sale to the public.
The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge is a new professional racing series co-developed by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park and appeals to racers looking to compete in an affordable, challenging V8-powered rear-wheel-drive car. Utilizing only the new Ford Mustang FR500S and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, the series will stage eight races in support of major professional road racing events across North America:
May 2-4
Road Atlanta
HSR
June 13-15
Mosport International Raceway
NASCAR (Canada)
June 20-22
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Grand Am
July 18-20
Barber Motorsports Park
Grand Am
August 15-16
Lime Rock Park
NASCAR (East)
August 29-21
New Jersey Motorsports Park
Grand Am
September 19-21
Miller Motorsports Park (doubleheader)
Grand Am
For more information about the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup or details on how to purchase a Mustang FR500S, please visit www.MustangChallenge.com.Source: Ford
March 2, 2008
KITT On Conan O'Brien TV Show
[Via YouTube & KnightRiderOnline]
Conan has his desk retrofitted with KITT via a voice modulator, and comedy ensues...
Conan has his desk retrofitted with KITT via a voice modulator, and comedy ensues...
March 1, 2008
Survey Study: Teenagers Say They'd Most Like To Drive A Ford Mustang
[Source: KickingTires] & [Via: AutoBlog]
When you’re young, fun takes priority over function. Once age sets in, function gets the nod.
That's the finding of a nationwide survey by TRU, a Northbrook, Ill.-based subsidiary of Research International USA, which specializes in the buying behavior and trends of two of the nation's most sought-after age groups by those with products to sell: teens and 20-somethings.
In its latest survey, TRU asked youth what new vehicle they most want to buy — with one stipulation: To keep the kids from simply inking “Lamborghini” on the dotted line and returning to their iPods, their desired car had to be one they could buy if they’d socked away enough money on their own or if their parents opened the checkbook.
Teens picked the sporty Ford Mustang first, while the 20-somethings went with the practical Honda Civic.
"Mustang pops up as No. 1 among teens because it's a lot of fun and the parents usually pay the insurance and hand the kids their gasoline credit card," said TRU spokesman Rob Callender. “Civic pops up among the older 20-somethings because they pay for their own insurance and gas, so function takes priority.”
Among teens, the most desired cars in order of preference were the Mustang, Civic (to customize), Honda Accord, Volkswagen Beetle, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Chevy Impala, Ford Focus, Ford F-150 pickup, Jeep Wrangler, Chevy Silverado pickup, VW Jetta and Nissan Maxima.
Among 20-somethings, the Beetle, Wrangler and Focus were missing.
"Beetle is only popular among teen girls, not teen guys or any 20-something, regardless of gender," Callender said.
Also noticeable in their absence were any full-size SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade, which only two years ago was the most sought-after SUV by youth who wanted to make a statement.
"Escalade lost its cachet when gas prices rose," Callender said, noting that only one SUV was listed be either age group, and that was the compact Wrangler.
Though teens aspire to own a Mustang, that doesn't mean one will end up in their driveway.
"Teens may aspire to the Mustang, but the parents often buy the Civic,” Callender said. “With 20-somethings, the budget holds the veto power over what they buy, but with teens, parents hold the veto power."
When you’re young, fun takes priority over function. Once age sets in, function gets the nod.
That's the finding of a nationwide survey by TRU, a Northbrook, Ill.-based subsidiary of Research International USA, which specializes in the buying behavior and trends of two of the nation's most sought-after age groups by those with products to sell: teens and 20-somethings.
In its latest survey, TRU asked youth what new vehicle they most want to buy — with one stipulation: To keep the kids from simply inking “Lamborghini” on the dotted line and returning to their iPods, their desired car had to be one they could buy if they’d socked away enough money on their own or if their parents opened the checkbook.
Teens picked the sporty Ford Mustang first, while the 20-somethings went with the practical Honda Civic.
"Mustang pops up as No. 1 among teens because it's a lot of fun and the parents usually pay the insurance and hand the kids their gasoline credit card," said TRU spokesman Rob Callender. “Civic pops up among the older 20-somethings because they pay for their own insurance and gas, so function takes priority.”
Among teens, the most desired cars in order of preference were the Mustang, Civic (to customize), Honda Accord, Volkswagen Beetle, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Chevy Impala, Ford Focus, Ford F-150 pickup, Jeep Wrangler, Chevy Silverado pickup, VW Jetta and Nissan Maxima.
Among 20-somethings, the Beetle, Wrangler and Focus were missing.
"Beetle is only popular among teen girls, not teen guys or any 20-something, regardless of gender," Callender said.
Also noticeable in their absence were any full-size SUVs, such as the Cadillac Escalade, which only two years ago was the most sought-after SUV by youth who wanted to make a statement.
"Escalade lost its cachet when gas prices rose," Callender said, noting that only one SUV was listed be either age group, and that was the compact Wrangler.
Though teens aspire to own a Mustang, that doesn't mean one will end up in their driveway.
"Teens may aspire to the Mustang, but the parents often buy the Civic,” Callender said. “With 20-somethings, the budget holds the veto power over what they buy, but with teens, parents hold the veto power."
February 29, 2008
Ford Recalling 470,000 Mustangs (2005-2008) to Tweak Airbag Software
[Via AutoBlog & Jalopnik & Mustang Evolution]
Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it is recalling 470,000 Ford Mustangs from the 2005-2008 model years to recalibrate how forcefully the air bag deploys on the front passenger side of the car. Internal testing showed the air bag could injure a small, unbelted passenger, said Ford spokesman Wesley Sherwood. The recall was posted on the website of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sherwood said the fix would address “a very rare scenario,” and there were no reports of injuries or accidents tied to the recall.
Nearly 435,000 of the recalled vehicles are in the United States, with most of the remaining vehicles in Mexico and Canada. The Dearborn-based automaker will notify customers by mail in early March. Owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have the air bag recalibrated to deploy at a lower force. For additional details, owners can call Ford at (866) 436-7332 or visit the company’s Owner Services Website at http://www.ford.com/owner-services.
Barrett-Jackson: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR KITTs Already On The Block
[Via AutoBlog and CarPlusMovies]
In less than a month, the legendary Barrett-Jackson auction event will be held in Palm Beach, Florida. From March 27 to March 30, hundreds of car aficionados and investors will gather in the coastal city to see and maybe buy some of the rarest and most beautiful cars in the world. The Barret-Jackson auctions are also famous because of the star cars they offer, such as Bo’s General Lee (see our article) or the Monkeemobile.
This time though, a much more recent star will be up for sale: the Shelby Mustang GT500KR from the new Knight Rider. Or to be precise, two of them, since the lot is comprised off the normal KITT and the Attack Mode KITT. The buyer will make a good action too, since 100% off the proceeds will be donated to Salute to Education (a scholarship program funded by Ford).
While this is all good and charitable, does it have a hidden meaning? Are they selling the cars because the show won’t come back as a regular series? Is it because the show is coming back but not the cars? Is it a publicity stunt?
Well, they made more one of each version of KITT, and the show did very well with 12.7 million viewers. According to the New York Times (via The Knight Rider Online), one of NBC Entertainment co-chairman, Ben Silverman, declared that ” its ratings success makes it a likely addition to NBC’s schedule when it is announced in April”. So either the cars will be replaced (or modified. Can it get the Turbo-Boost, please?), or Ford and NBC are killing two three birds with one stone, promoting the Mustang, promoting the show, and offering scholarships at the same time.
Anyway, we hope they raise a lot of money for the cause, and that the lucky bidder will take his new rides on the road. The kids will love it.
[Source: Barrett-Jackson]
In less than a month, the legendary Barrett-Jackson auction event will be held in Palm Beach, Florida. From March 27 to March 30, hundreds of car aficionados and investors will gather in the coastal city to see and maybe buy some of the rarest and most beautiful cars in the world. The Barret-Jackson auctions are also famous because of the star cars they offer, such as Bo’s General Lee (see our article) or the Monkeemobile.
This time though, a much more recent star will be up for sale: the Shelby Mustang GT500KR from the new Knight Rider. Or to be precise, two of them, since the lot is comprised off the normal KITT and the Attack Mode KITT. The buyer will make a good action too, since 100% off the proceeds will be donated to Salute to Education (a scholarship program funded by Ford).
While this is all good and charitable, does it have a hidden meaning? Are they selling the cars because the show won’t come back as a regular series? Is it because the show is coming back but not the cars? Is it a publicity stunt?
Well, they made more one of each version of KITT, and the show did very well with 12.7 million viewers. According to the New York Times (via The Knight Rider Online), one of NBC Entertainment co-chairman, Ben Silverman, declared that ” its ratings success makes it a likely addition to NBC’s schedule when it is announced in April”. So either the cars will be replaced (or modified. Can it get the Turbo-Boost, please?), or Ford and NBC are killing two three birds with one stone, promoting the Mustang, promoting the show, and offering scholarships at the same time.
Anyway, we hope they raise a lot of money for the cause, and that the lucky bidder will take his new rides on the road. The kids will love it.
[Source: Barrett-Jackson]
February 27, 2008
New York Auto Show 2008: Saleen S5S Raptor Concept Debut
[Via WorldCarFans]
Saleen S5S Raptor
What does a supercharger bolted on to a 5.0-litre V8, running on E85 sound like? For the purposes of this piece of information, it sounds like the Saleen S5S Raptor, a concept car from the house of Saleen that's destined to show its fangs at the New York Auto Show.
Raptor is only a sketch for now, but later this drawing will come to a top velocity just north of 200 mph/ 322km/h on a flat tarmac. Bodywork is courtesy of composite panels, while the chassis runs on aluminium. Both these are in the name of weight-saving, that all-important criterion when it comes to supplying as much speed as possible between tire and tarmac.
We think a bit more intelligence will make its way to the surface before the show, which is still a good month-odd away. Before then, I’m afraid this is all we’ve got.
What does a supercharger bolted on to a 5.0-litre V8, running on E85 sound like? For the purposes of this piece of information, it sounds like the Saleen S5S Raptor, a concept car from the house of Saleen that's destined to show its fangs at the New York Auto Show.
Raptor is only a sketch for now, but later this drawing will come to a top velocity just north of 200 mph/ 322km/h on a flat tarmac. Bodywork is courtesy of composite panels, while the chassis runs on aluminium. Both these are in the name of weight-saving, that all-important criterion when it comes to supplying as much speed as possible between tire and tarmac.
We think a bit more intelligence will make its way to the surface before the show, which is still a good month-odd away. Before then, I’m afraid this is all we’ve got.
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