King of the Road

Automakers have been promising us a revolution for some time now. If this week's auto show in Detroit is any indication of things to come, then it seems they took the word "revolution" quite literally. Don't get us wrong. Sometimes returning to one's roots is the best decision. Especially when the company is Ford and the revolution centers 'round the GT500.

Previews at the North American International Auto Show had been all too predictable this year. Alternative-fuel engines come in cars we already know. The concepts, if they were to go into production, would be years away from hitting showrooms.

But then, on Wednesday, Ford dusted off 85-year-old Carroll Shelby, who in turn unveiled a special-edition, 540-horsepower "King of the Road" Mustang, much as he did with the first version of the GT some four decades ago.

Whenever Mr. Shelby revisits his roots, good things happen. "My energy and passion for performance products has always been strongest when I am working with Ford," he says. "I'm always looking to up the ante when it comes to performance, and bringing back the 'King of the Road' Mustang is just what we need."

The new GT500KR is the most powerful production Mustang in history, and only the fourth limited-edition Mustang in the Ford–Shelby collaboration. Each of the 1,000 special editions starts as a regular GT500 in Flat Rock, Mich. Then they're shipped to Shelby Automobiles headquarters in Las Vegas.

Technicians install a Ford Racing performance pack, an exhaust system, and a short-throw shifter. Each car is also fitted with special body, chassis, and interior components.

The chassis is stiffened 50%, and the front axle receives 50 pounds of weight to place the center of gravity forward. This improves speed balance and braking, according to Mr. Shelby.

The Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack, including a revised ignition and throttle calibration and a cold-air intake system that replaces the stock unit, enhances the 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 to boost horsepower to 540 and torque to 510 foot-pounds.

Then the car is delivered to each customer aboard a transporter, just as it would have been in the old days. (Look for it to cost between $75,000 and $100,000, a far cry from the old days.) Perhaps Ford's competitors would do well to replicate this trend toward full revolutions. Auto shows, for one, would be a lot more exciting.