Key Points
- GT500KR nameplate returns after 13-year absence
- 5.2-litre V8 makes over 670kW
- Six examples will be available for Australian customers
Shelby American has provided a throwback to its heritage by announcing the return of the GT500KR, one of the most powerful Ford Mustang packages available.
Available for MY20, MY21 and MY22 Shelby GT500s, the GT500KR package increases the 5.2-litre V8’s output from 760 horsepower (565kW) to in excess of 900 horsepower (670kW) with the help of a 3.8-litre supercharger.
The King of the Road upgrades are more than just an extra dollop of power, the GT500’s Magnaride suspension tweaked to work better with new adjustable springs and sway bars at the front and rear.
While the base GT500 looks anything but discreet, going for a GT500KR takes it up a notch with new one-piece, 6061-T6 forged aluminium wheels (20-inch x 11.0-inch front and 20-inch x 11.5-inch rear) on all four corners, coupling with a carbonfibre bonnet, front splitter and rear diffuser to make its stance even more aggressive.
Despite the GT500KR featuring an impressive level of equipment, Shelby offers a range of optional features for buyers to further enhance their car, ranging from Le Mans style ‘over the top’ stripes, painted stripes, a polished supercharger, rear seat delete with harness bar and its Shelby Wide Body kit.
Special 60th anniversary badges are available for MY22 models as a no-cost option, honouring the 1962 formation of Shelby American that ultimately led to the first GT500KR being conceived in 1968, before the nameplate was revived in 2008.
Limited to just 225 units worldwide, 180 of those will be available in the United States while six are slated for Australia, where Shelby’s local supplier Mustang Motorsport is offering two units per model year, as the MY22 cars gain the aforementioned anniversary badging.
At a cost of US$54,995, a representative for Mustang Motorsport told MOTOR it expects the package to be available locally for roughly the exchange price of AU$76,600 plus GST and shipping, potentially bringing it up to the $100,000 mark, not including the base vehicle.
Keyword: 2022 Shelby GT500KR revealed, Australian examples limited to two per year