Ford may be planning a more powerful version of its Mustang coupe/convertible for the 2008 or 2009 model year, according to a new report. With the launch of the 2007 Shelby GT500 imminent, Dearborn is already considering where to go next. According to StangsUnleashed, that could come in the form of a successor to the 1968 GT500KR. The KR is for “King of the Road.” The premise of these rumors is that Ford wants to have a vehicle ready to compete with the possibility of a Corvette Z06-engined Camaro or a 6.1L Challenger. While we’re not sure if the KR designation return, this rumor is backed up by a recent paten filing revealed by Leftlane. According to the U.S. patent office, Ford trademarked the name “Mustang GT-R” in early 2006. It will also be interesting to see if Ford has the next-generation “2009″ Mustang ready for the Challenger/Camaro, or if it will first update the current machine.
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04/26, 11:52 AM
posted by:
teknomusik
I sure hope the 2009 isn’t just an ‘update of the current machine’ because the current machine is ugly inside & out.
04/26, 11:54 AM
posted by:
Peter
That would be pretty cool, but I don’t think FoMoCo needs this to compete against GM and Chrysler. I doubt they’ll make a Camaro with the LS7 (maybe, but if they do, It’ll still compete), and the 475ish hp from the GT500 will be fine against the 425hp from the 6.1L Chrysler Hemi.
04/26, 11:56 AM
posted by:
Mike
HP is fine and dandy… but what about torque?
04/26, 12:19 PM
posted by:
Misha
Sounds great, bring it on!!!
04/26, 12:31 PM
posted by:
junkie
“HP is fine and dandy… but what about torque?”
Ponycars with large V8 engines are seldom lacking in the torque department.
04/26, 12:57 PM
posted by:
E M
technomusik…what cars do you think look good? very curious, because you are the very first person I’ve ever heard call the Stang ugly. Not flaming, just curious. I think the exterior is excellent except for the grille which looks like the 1974 Mustang II, and the only interior gripe is the Kraco front door speaker covers, and the shifter could be better. For the money, the car is just tough to beat, and this is coming from a 3-series owner. I’d consider one myself but am waiting another couple years to see how they hold up over time. Previous Stangs have been less than stellar in that regard.
04/26, 2:42 PM
posted by:
gsh
hate to burst your bubble but the stang has always been “cheap” inside and out…in fact that was the point of the whole car in the first place! the fact that ford keeps coming out with new editions of the stang obviously shows the marketing dept. trying to squeeze every little drop of cash from this generation of stangs.
04/26, 3:01 PM
posted by:
Brian
Did that guy say “what about torque?” !!!!!!
Since when has torque EVER been a concern in a pony car?!?!?!!?
04/26, 3:21 PM
posted by:
BMan1113VR
It wouldn’t be that hard to bring up the power. The 5.4L unit in the gt500 is the same as in the Ford GT. . .it is easily good for a safe 600bhp.
04/26, 3:39 PM
posted by:
Danny from LA
i’m with teknomusik on this one…I have never been a stang fan, because their designs have always seemed to be just a bit off IMO. The new stang feels cheap and plasticky, and drives like a shoe with a big motor. I’ll wait for the Camaro, even if there is less under the hood, that has never stopped anyone from beefing it up to punish those mustangs. BTW, i’m not baised towards Chevy, even tho I have owned a 73 Camaro, I’ve also had many friends with Mustangs and found them to be very capable cars.
04/27, 4:29 AM
posted by:
BAMF
Gotta say I agree with you, Danny from LA. The Mustang does still feel/look cheap/plasticy. The weird thing is, I’m not even sure why. I seem to feel that way about a lot of the cars US automakers have been making lately. Am I wrong in saying that most of the recent Chevy non-truck vehicles look like big toys? Not like fun toys, but like, fake looking toys. I dont know if its the paint or what but all these cars look like they’re made from plastic to me. Even the Chevy emblem looks toy-like to me. Maybe its the fact that they dont know how to be subltle with their lines yet. Every line is so overemphasized. They’re trying to be very clear about what they’re trying to say with the design, but its just too much. They just need to say it in a more subtle, refined, elegant manner. I dont know. I mean, why does the hood on the new Mustang have those two creases in it? I just dont see why they dont smooth some of these things out. I think thats the key to beauty— curves. Take for example the Bugatti Veyron, just about every Porsche ever, most Ferraris, Audi, VW. They’re ALL about the curves. Thats not to say that defined lines are bad. Far from it in fact! Look at Lamborghini! But these US automakers just not as tasteful as that I’m afraid. Take for example the new Corvette. Its definately killer, and it looks so cool– but why not more elegance and sculpted beauty, and less sharp, racy looking lines. I think this new Camaro looks pretty cool, but I definately think they need to tone down the edgy, new Caddy type of style and smooth it out. I mean seriously, take a look at it, and imagine it with the sharp creases smoothed out into sensual curves, and the pointed nose flattened, more like the originals. Now THAT would be pretty sexy, in my opinion. What do you guys think?