Shelby American teased a Mustang-sized announcement for December 15 a few weeks ago. That day is finally here, and the car they unveiled is truly special. The new Mustang Shelby GT500KR brings back the King of the Road Mustang moniker, and it’s not just for show. This is a vary rare, expensive and exciting arrival from one of the best to ever tune a Mustang out there.
First, let’s take a look at the numbers. The supercharged 5.2-liter V8 adds a new twin-screw Whipple supercharger that displaces 3.8 liters on its own under the KR-specific carbon fiber hood. Right next to that carbon fiber hood you’ll notice a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser and Gurney flaps.
According to Shelby American, the GT500KR makes at least 900 horsepower thanks to other improvements such as a larger throttle body, cold air intake, new intercooler, pulleys, and an enhanced exhaust system. In addition to the increased horsepower, Shelby fitted the GT500KR with height-adjustable front and rear springs, revised sway bars, and re-calibrated MagneRide suspension, as well as Shelby-specific 20-inch wheels.
Shelby hasn’t released any performance figures for the new KR, but given that a stock Shelby GT500 can run the quarter-mile in the mid-tens, the KR should be close to 9 seconds. It should also be able to handle the challenges of a track, thanks to the upgrades the tuner fitted to it.
Pay close attention and you could also notice accessories like the billet engine caps and hood pins and we all know a Shelby GT500KR wouldn’t be complete without lower rocker stripes. Shelby leather seats, embroidered floor mats, and special 60th-anniversary badges honoring Shelby’s inception in 1962 will be available on select automobiles.
Thankfully, the production won’t be limited to 2022 models. Shelby says that only 225 units will be made in 2022, with 180 reserved for the US market and all of them being 60th Anniversary versions. Existing GT500 owners can join in the KR club for 2020 and 2021 by sending their cars to Shelby for a KR facelift. In this case though, the cars will not receive 60th Anniversary badging for obvious reasons, but they will be rarer because only 60 will be available.
Shelby quotes a price of $54,995 for the 2020-2021 facelift alone. Prices for one of the 225 KRs for 2022 begin at $127,895. That price is for an entry-level GT500; if you customize it from the factory with additional Shelby extras, expect it to go higher. The first quarter of 2022 is expected to mark the start of production.
