Tekknikal
04-11-2007, 04:36 PM
It was just last year when Ford announced their new super mustang- the GT500. Besides the detuned version of their 5.4L V8 engine, set to output 475hp / 475lb-ft, the car was otherwise a mildly redone GT. In the interests of cost savings, the car maintained its solid rear end. Ford did however upgrade its suspension and turned to Brembo for brakes. With the machine weighing in at about 4,000lbs though, many were left disappointed, despite the exceptionally low price tag of $45,000. As it turned out, many dealers ignored this "suggested retail price," and at the same time, Ford was apparently unhappy with the GT500's performance. Well, here they come again, with the GT500KR...
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/1-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
<!--more-->This time around, the GT500's engine is outputting 540hp and 510lb-ft of torque, due to revisions on ignition, throttle calibration, and a new cold air intake. The drivetrain has also been modified, with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission being connected to a 3.73:1 final drive. This is an upgrade from the GT500's 3.31:1 final drive, which should yield over 10% extra torque delivered to the ground, regardless of rpm. To utilize this power, Ford claims the shifting mechanism itself to be optimized and shorter, allowing for crisper, quicker shifts.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/5-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
Ford also claims the new model to focus on handling. What this means- we aren't sure. Apparently, the model continues to lack an independent rear suspension, and although we wouldn't go so far as to dismiss the idea that it will be competent on a race track, its predecessors left something to be desired in this department. As a result, we can only hope that Ford has spent some serious R&D time in this department.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/4-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
Looks-wise, there have been many revisions from striping and colors to body. Although 20" wheels are featured on the concept, look for 18" wheels on the street model. Apparently, Ford is only interested in building 1,000 copies of these units. Although the release date and pricing has not been disclosed, we look for a $10-15,000 premium on the GT500, placing it somewhere in the $55k range, with a release likely in the Spring of 2008.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/3-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
And this sounds all well and good. But this time around the super'stang faces much more competition than the last- especially sinec its in a higher market segment. It will be facing competition from Nissan's GT-R, Lexus's IS-F, BMW's M3, Mercedes Benz's C-63 AMG, Chevrolet's Corvette, and more. That's some very fierce competiton. How well will this car be able to compete? Ford's quite confident, naming it -500KR for King of the Road.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/2-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
Maybe in drag races, it'll be ok... but its been made clear that its competition is being built from the ground up for the track. In light of this, we're having our doubts that <em>this </em>will be the king of the road.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/1-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
<!--more-->This time around, the GT500's engine is outputting 540hp and 510lb-ft of torque, due to revisions on ignition, throttle calibration, and a new cold air intake. The drivetrain has also been modified, with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission being connected to a 3.73:1 final drive. This is an upgrade from the GT500's 3.31:1 final drive, which should yield over 10% extra torque delivered to the ground, regardless of rpm. To utilize this power, Ford claims the shifting mechanism itself to be optimized and shorter, allowing for crisper, quicker shifts.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/5-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
Ford also claims the new model to focus on handling. What this means- we aren't sure. Apparently, the model continues to lack an independent rear suspension, and although we wouldn't go so far as to dismiss the idea that it will be competent on a race track, its predecessors left something to be desired in this department. As a result, we can only hope that Ford has spent some serious R&D time in this department.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/4-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
Looks-wise, there have been many revisions from striping and colors to body. Although 20" wheels are featured on the concept, look for 18" wheels on the street model. Apparently, Ford is only interested in building 1,000 copies of these units. Although the release date and pricing has not been disclosed, we look for a $10-15,000 premium on the GT500, placing it somewhere in the $55k range, with a release likely in the Spring of 2008.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/3-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
And this sounds all well and good. But this time around the super'stang faces much more competition than the last- especially sinec its in a higher market segment. It will be facing competition from Nissan's GT-R, Lexus's IS-F, BMW's M3, Mercedes Benz's C-63 AMG, Chevrolet's Corvette, and more. That's some very fierce competiton. How well will this car be able to compete? Ford's quite confident, naming it -500KR for King of the Road.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/gt500kr/2-2008-ford-mustang-shelby-cobra-gt.jpg" />
Maybe in drag races, it'll be ok... but its been made clear that its competition is being built from the ground up for the track. In light of this, we're having our doubts that <em>this </em>will be the king of the road.