746 Shelby GT500KRs To Be Built in 2009!

To compliment the one-thousand 2008 40th-Anniversary Edition Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustangs, Ford and Shelby Automobiles announce that an additional 746 units will be built for the 2009 model year to help meet worldwide demand of the supercar. Of that total, 571 units will be available for U.S. customers thus equaling the 1,571-unit production run of the original Shelby GT500KR. The remainder of the units will be for countries that did not receive 2008 models, including Canada.

Like the 40th-Anniversary limited edition, the 2009 Shelby GT500KR will feature a 540-hp 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 with a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack, 3.73:1 rear axle ratio, short-throw shifter, and unique suspension tuning. Exterior design draws inspiration from the classic Shelby KR Mustangs and features unique carbon composite hood, wheels, and unique striping.

The unique 40th Anniversary badging will only be featured on the 2008 special edition.

The Shelby GT500KR or “King of the Road” Mustang is the fourth limited-edition Mustang that Shelby Automobiles and Ford have brought to market since resuming their collaboration in 2001. It builds on the performance and success of the 500-horsepower Shelby GT500 – the most powerful production Mustang ever.

The 2008 Shelby GT500KR began production on Carroll Shelby’s 85th birthday on January 11 earlier this year. As production ramps up to launch, enthusiasts can expect to see the first GT500KRs arrive in dealers this spring.

New Mustang With Glass Roof!

The Ford Mustang gets a whole new outlook with a glass roof option for the 2009 model year.

This option comes in response to drivers’ increasing desire for natural light in their cars, particularly as their commutes get longer. It also offers a convenient midpoint for those looking for the view of a convertible with the climate-control and structural integrity of a traditional coupe.

The roof is made of specially-formulated glass that blocks infrared rays, protecting both the car’s occupants and its upholstery. This glass also reduces vehicle cool-down time by 50 percent. The model incorporates a retractable blind that may be used to block the sun and provide privacy.

The new roof will be available as an option on both the V-6 Mustang and Mustang GT beginning in the summer of 2008. This brings the number of roof options available on the Ford Mustang up to three. The model joins the 2008 Mustang Bullitt and 2008 Shelby GT500KR, adding variety to the Mustang stable for its 45-year anniversary. The glass roof option will cost $1,995, or half the cost of the convertible option.

Check out WheelHQ.com and their large selection of Mustang Bullitt Wheels.

Ford Verbe Concept!

With the North American debut of Ford’s Verve Concept, Ford announces a new vision for its future: small cars and sustainability. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to people who love Ford’s European small cars like the Ford Focus, Fiesta and Ka. “Ford’s small cars are loved in Europe and Americans love our European small cars,” says Jim Farley, Ford’s Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications. “Our global scale helps us develop and test products that we can bring to—and change—the North American market.”

Both four- and three-door Verve body styles were unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, as an introduction to a family of small cars set to debut in Europe and Asia beginning later this year and in North America in 2010. The four-door is the basis for the production vehicle that will be sold in North America. The European three- door is being shown to test market reaction to the body style. If it’s well received, it could be an added to the Verve product line.

Ford is building on decades of small car leadership in Europe as it develops new small cars for North America to appeal to customers who value technology, design and fuel efficiency. “The Ford global design team remembered, not so fondly, the econo-boxes of the 1970s and created the Verve concept as a vision of just how good a small car can be,” said J Mays, Ford’s group vice president of Design and chief creative officer. “Verve aims to ‘right’ North American buyers’ earlier small-car experiences by offering a product that changes customers’ views of small cars from ‘cheap’ to chic — and from affordable to desirable.”

Ford Transit Will Connect in the U.S.!

Ford is drawing on its success in Europe to introduce innovative, fuel-efficient alternatives to full sized vans to the North American market. Transit Connect is designed, engineered, and manufactured by Ford of Europe and was named International Van of the Year when it first launched in 2003. Transit Connect makes its North American debut at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show.

“Ford Transit Connect is built on a dedicated, commercial vehicle platform to meet the rigors business use demands,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “The Transit Connect is yet another way Ford can deliver the flexibility and durability that many small businesses are looking for in a compact, fuel-efficient package.”

With its standard, 2.0L four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission powerpack Transit Connect will deliver excellent fuel economy, estimated at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. This could represent a savings in fuel of more than 40 percent compared with a full-size van. In addition to its obvious commercial applications, the Transit Connect is so flexible that it makes an ideal personal-use vehicle with potential seating for five people.

“It drives like a car, works like a van and is engineered to be as tough as a truck,” said Rob Stevens, Chief Engineer of Ford Transit Connect in the U.S.