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2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR

Ford unveils details of the 2008 Shelby GT500KR

Kevin Massy

Ford

We've barely managed to get our breath back following our review of the 2007 Shelby GT500, and now Ford has unveiled a more powerful version of its resurrected muscle car. The 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR (the last two letters stand for "King of the Road," in case you were wondering) will make its official debut at this week's New York auto show. The GT500KR will feature a tweaked version of the GT500's 5.4-liter supercharged V-8, capable of an estimated 540 horsepower.

Ford

According to Ford, the KR's advanced ignition timing, cold air intake system, and remapped throttle settings will give it better from-standing and midrange acceleration than its GT500 stablemate.

Other notable differences from the--ahem--garden-variety GT500 will include a new short-throw shifter and a performance exhaust system, both from Ford Racing.

The launch of the 2008 GT500KR marks the 40th anniversary of the "KR" designation, which first made an appearance on the 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR. There will be only 1,000 GT500KRs made.