Click on the image for more live shots of the 2009 GT500KR
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.
Travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer, as were the photos, since our camera was stolen on this trip.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zane @ Apr 24th 2008 7:03AM
I guess its convertible counterpart should be named GT500QR ;)
cooperaaaron @ Apr 24th 2008 8:36AM
Someone stole your camera ? You just use one ?
Chris @ Apr 24th 2008 8:39AM
Hey I just heard shelby has a charity? hahahahahhahahaha
LMBVette @ Apr 24th 2008 8:49AM
Ford always does this. They come out with a special "limited edition Mustang" and all the collectors buy the cars thinking they're special. Then they sell so well that Ford extends production which dillutes the numbers and they're not so "limited" anymore.
TriShield @ Apr 24th 2008 9:39AM
Even with production "extended" this car is still pretty limited.
Matt DeCillis @ Apr 24th 2008 10:34AM
Love the care but I hate the production version of the rims, they are horrible compaired to the rims on the pre-production model or KITT for example.
steve-o @ Apr 24th 2008 10:59AM
can we lose the 'racing stripes' already?
yes, i know it garners retro sentiments of yonder racing days... but c'mon enoughs enough.
KT @ Apr 24th 2008 12:05PM
The extension of the model only matches the production numbers of the original KR's. I think that puts it at around 1400-1500 total.
The stripes are vinyl...just peel'em off if you don't like'm.
The car looks great. If I had a late model Stang I'd buy that front bumper cover.
drunkenpublicness @ Apr 24th 2008 12:08PM
I sat in one of these KR's at this years new York Autoshow and wonder why anyone would spend $55,000+ for this POS when they could have a new 550hp Cadillac CTS-V for the same money is beyond me.
MajorGeek @ Apr 24th 2008 12:19PM
Compared this to Rousch and would have bought the Rousch myself. Top gear has a funny video racing the 2 of them, look it up.
RS4 Dude @ Apr 24th 2008 11:06PM
540 hp= 275 real world hp. Remeber the last special stang that never made its claimed hp. I dont ever remember a vette or a camaro not making the hp chevy claimed it had!
mroverlord @ Apr 25th 2008 7:14PM
Last special Stang? That was ONE year they had problems and stopped production of the Cobra. You will never see actual power from a car. All numbers are flywheel, not wheel HP. A 505hp SRT-10 Ram makes 442hp at the tires. I have seen many new model GT stangs turn 275+ hp at the tires stock.