The Carroll Shelby foundation have teamed up with Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) (EA) to put enthusiasts in the driver’s seat of a special 2011 Shelby GT500 Super Snake – ‘Need for Speed’ Edition. This Shelby is featured on the cover and in the game of EA’s new Need for Speed The Run game, which will hit stores during the 2011 holiday season. A special ‘real-life’ one-off version was built by Shelby American Inc. and Shelby American Motorsports, which features custom EA designs and true Shelby performance. The GT500 Super Snake – ‘Need for Speed’ Edition will be auctioned in late 2012 to generate funds for the Carroll Shelby Foundation.
We’re excited to team with EA and have the chance to bring this car to life,” said Jenni Shreeves, executive director of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “A number of EA’s games, like ‘Need for Speed’, help so many kids get through long stays at hospitals. We’ll also be able to raise awareness of the Foundation’s efforts worldwide through the amazing events the vehicle will travel to throughout the year. Not to mention, when we auction this custom ride, someone will have an amazing car in their garage and feel the satisfaction of helping kids.”
The “Need for Speed” experience came to life on Sept. 27, when media from around the world experienced the car first hand. They drove it, along with other Shelby vehicles at an event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Shelby American facilities during EA’s gaming showcase in Las Vegas. Following its debut, the Super Snake will travel around the globe, making appearances at major automotive and gaming events.
“EA is a trendsetter in the interactive entertainment industry, always pushing gamers to the limit,” added John Luft, president of Shelby American. “The Shelby GT500 Super Snake is a great fit for their high-performance ‘Need for Speed’ franchise. Built by the Shelby American team and customized by the Shelby American Motorsports division in Las Vegas, this Super Snake matches the one envisioned by EA for the cover of their latest game, moving a car designed for the virtual world onto the streets. From the bodywork to the interior, this Shelby is the only one of its kind.”
The Wimbledon White with custom grey stripes Super Snake comes with a Ford Racing handling pack, including dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars and front strut tower brace. The Shelby/Ford Racing supercharger kit produces a monstrous 750 horsepower with upgraded drive shaft, billet twin 75mm throttle body and exclusive badges. A unique fiberglass hood features the classic Shelby design and pins. The “Shelby” lettering is distinct across the rear deck lid, and official “Super Snake” vehicle badges and a customized two tone Black interior comes equipped in the ride.
Over the past several years, Carroll Shelby Licensing has worked closely with EA to integrate Shelby cars and marques into various games. From the Shelby GT500 Super Snake to the Shelby Terlingua Mustang, gamers enjoy the opportunity to drive the car of their dreams in the virtual world thanks to this relationship.
[Source: Shelby]