The changes, on paper, may not seem significant. Try telling that to the engineers at Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT), and they’ll be quick to say otherwise. Handling tests conducted by SVT prior to the launch of the Shelby GT500KR proved that small, calculated changes to aerodynamics and suspension tuning can make big improvements. In fact, the Shelby GT500KR is capable of sustaining 1.0g of grip around the skidpad, a number considered to be the upper stratosphere of road-legal sports cars.
Kerry Baldori, Chief Vehicle Engineer for SVT, talks about aerodynamics saying, “Our goal with the Shelby GT500KR was to increase downforce on the front wheels versus the GT500, while at the same time giving it a more balanced aerodynamic package.” SVT achieved just this by adding a larger carbon fiber front splitter, lowering the ride height, and installing a low-drag rear spoiler. These changes not only increased front end downforce by 31%, but they also managed to reduce drag by three percent.
Changes to the suspension tuning compliment the new aerodynamics to bring the Shelby GT500KR to its incredibly high grip levels. Revised struts that are 17% stiffer front and 7% stiffer rear reduce pitch and roll, and increased negative camber in front gives the car more grip in turns. The Shelby GT500KR is also lowered 20mm in front and 15mm in back to lower the center of gravity. Finally, exclusive to the GT500KR are new Goodyear F1 performance tires with a brand new rubber compound for North America. These tires are not available on any other car in the U.S., and are made of a special rubber that is as close to an R (race) compound as you will find on the street.
All of these changes, while seemingly small, propel the Shelby GT500KR into the top level of the sports car handling echelon. The Shelby GT500 is a capable car in its own right, but leave it to SVT to find even more performance out of an already high performing sports car.