2007 Ford Shelby gt500 officialLy rated at 500 horsepower

· Ford Shelby GT500 officially rated at 500 horsepower, 25 horsepower higher than preliminary estimates
· The Shelby GT500 will go on sale this summer with more horsepower than any previous factory-built Mustang

DEARBORN, Mich., May 2 - The most powerful factory-built Mustang ever just got even more potent. Final certification testing of the Shelby GT500's 5.4-litre supercharged V-8 shows it will produce 500 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque - 25 more horsepower than preliminary estimates.

"With 500 hp and the Shelby name, this car is an instant legend," said Hau Thai-Tang, director, Advanced Product Creation & SVT programs. "This is the most powerful, most capable Mustang ever."

The Ford Shelby GT500's supercharged 5.4-litre, 32-valve V-8 is a result of Ford's experience in developing the modular V-8 and V-10 engine series. The engine is force-fed air via a "Roots-type" supercharger providing 9 pounds per square inch of boost. It borrows the four-valve cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings, from the Ford GT engine.

The 500 hp rating was obtained using the Society of Automotive Engineer's latest standard and was witnessed by an objective third party. The Shelby GT500's 5.4-litre supercharged V-8 will be built at Ford's Romeo Engine Plant in Romeo, Mich. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

The right to purchase the first 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 was auctioned for $600,000, with the proceeds benefiting the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation. The 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 goes on sale this summer.

NEW FORD EDGE CROSSOVER TO ARRIVE LOADED WITH STANDARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT

* Ford Edge crossover includes standard side air bags, Safety CanopyT air curtain system with rollover detection and AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control
* Vehicle safety among top priorities for potential car and truck buyers

DEARBORN, Mich., May 2, 2006 - When the all-new Ford Edge rolls off the assembly line in Oakville later this year, it will offer the freshest choice to consumers in the hot crossover market and come loaded with an impressive array of standard safety features.

The Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX will offer Ford's exclusive AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®) system, seat-mounted side air bags and Safety CanopyT air curtain system with rollover detection - all as standard equipment.

Ford also recently announced that 2007 models of the Ford Fusion will offer side air bags and air curtains as standard equipment beginning this summer, further underscoring the company's commitment to safety.

"These changes are sure signs that Ford is on offense and fighting back," says Cisco Codina, Group Vice President, North America Marketing, Sales and Service.

Edge also comes standard with Ford's Personal Safety System, which includes dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, a driver seat position sensor, passenger seat occupant classification sensor, load-limiting safety belts retractors and pretensioners. Edge also features an energy-absorbing steering wheel and knee bolster for the driver and an energy-absorbing glove box for the passenger.

"Edge's confident handling helps drivers avoid accidents, especially when paired with the industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC®)," says Stephen Kozak, Ford Safety chief engineer. "Should an accident occur, Edge features a comprehensive package of passive safety features to help protect people inside the car."

With its unique combination of styling, capability and driving dynamics, Edge is the perfect complement to Ford Motor Company's expanding CUV lineup. Equipped with an all-new 265-horsepower 3.5-litre V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, the new Ford Edge will deliver performance, quietness and fuel efficiency. Edge also offers several customer-friendly features such as an MP3-player audio input jack, centre console laptop storage, class-exclusive panoramic Vista RoofT and a fold-flat front passenger seat for added flexibility.

"Edge underscores the bold, North American design direction for all Ford vehicles going forward," said Mark Fields, executive vice president, Ford Motor Company, and president, The Americas. "Edge also is packed with Ford innovation - from its panoramic glass roof and laptop-friendly centre console to fuel-saving engine and advanced safety features. We expect Edge to make waves in the hot crossover market this year just like the Fusion did for midsize cars last year."