Happy 40th?now bring on the Cobra

[madderhatter]

Hmm ...

Here’s a look at what we think is the next Mustang rocket for the masses, the 2006 SVT Cobra running on the new ’Stang chassis.

Ford execs are officially mum, including product chief Phil Martens, who said as recently as the Detroit auto show that no decision had been made on the Cobra’s suspension. Hau Thai-Tang, chief engineer on the 2005 Mustang and now SVT chief, did hint we can expect the next Cobra to surpass 400 hp (we hear 450 hp) and hit a price of about $40,000. The SVT Cobra goes on sale in 2006 as an ’07 model.

A wily AutoWeek reader caught this shot near Ford’s test facility in Florida, but hasn’t seen it since. Wonder what’s churning under that massive cowl?

[Bullhead00]

Isn't that the same kind of paint scheme the test mule for the 2005 Mustang had in the first spy photos? Why 450hp though. Why don't they keep it around 400-420 and keep it under 40g's?

[96s10]

now i thought that there was no more svt when it came to cobras. they're going to be saleens.

[madderhatter]

now i thought that there was no more svt when it came to cobras. they're going to be saleens.
* “SVT is actually bigger, staff-wise, than ever before.”
* “We see SVT growing to about five products.”
* “SVT is, and will remain, a Ford-branded product.”
* “The core of every SVT program is its powertrain; second is chassis dynamics.”
* “The next-generation Cobra will be the best one ever.”

Martens, who approved the next SVT Cobra a day before we interviewed him in January, pointed to the Mustang as an example of a product engineer*ed from the outset with an SVT version in mind.

SVT products need to be created as part of a model plan, instead of being develop*ed after the main product line has left the drawing board, he says. That way it will prevent embarrassing program delays (see SVT Lightning) or cancellations, and allow Ford to use SVT as a launching pad for new performance technologies, says Martens.

That’s fine when it comes to finances and product planning, but doesn’t a large portion of SVT’s success lie in its indepen*- dence from the mother ship? Or are they starting to learn lessons about integration from upstarts at Chrysler Street and Racing Technology and GM Performance Division?

Martens says SVT will remain a stand-alone operation, at least physically, but the team will now enjoy a direct line of communication to the product development office. “We really need to bring SVT back to its roots, into the mainstream of product development, if we’re going to take SVT to the next level. SVT needs to be an integral part of product development.”

So what can fans expect? Martens says SVT will maintain its core of high-performance V8-powered rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It will expand into inline four-cylinder cars as well. And it will break ground venturing into all-wheel-drive performance models. Turbo- and superchargers also figure prominently. And SVT will draw heavily on lessons learned developing the Ford GT, from its racing experience, and with engineers who bring cross-systems expertise.

Full Story Here (http://tinyurl.com/5z7y8)

[BreBar21]

lol. That pic is a year old. I have a ton more on my computer, but I am in the library (not studying, I might add).

Here is the most recent concept/pic:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/chicagomike/may_cov.jpg


And here is a link to an article about it:

http://www.nydailynews.com/business/story/291885p-249915c.html


It is set to unveil at the NYC Auto Show on the 23rd or 26th. We should know a lot in the next few days.

[slmdLS1]

I am in the library (not studying, I might add).



:nono:

[Patrick]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/chicagomike/may_cov.jpg

I like that one better because the goofy looking foglights aren't in the grill.

Isin't the new cobra going to come with a choice of live axle or IRS suspensions to please a larger market?

[BreBar21]

Isin't the new cobra going to come with a choice of live axle or IRS suspensions to please a larger market?

Purely speculation at this point. Rumor and spy shots are saying revised IRS. Some people think there might be a live axle option.

[BreBar21]

Here's a video of Carroll Shelby test driving the Cobra mule. You can hear the blower, so if there were any n/a hopefuls out there, no soup for you.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/MultimediaLanding

Also, how about Ford straight copying the rims from the C5 Z06?? I'll see if I can find a pic.

[SloNLo_350]

last i read it was only a live axle and it was the blown 5.4. Wasn't that on here? Or at least linked to on here...

[BreBar21]

last i read it was only a live axle and it was the blown 5.4. Wasn't that on here? Or at least linked to on here...

A lot has changed since then. There is a picture of the mule where you can see a halfshaft axle nut (linked below). IMO, a solid axle only Cobra would be a step in the wrong direction. A properly designed IRS is what it needs. Just my $.02.

Read this section of SVTP for all the info/speculations/rumors:

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=150

Edit: Here's the link for the IRS/Solid axle analysis,http://www.jwfisher.com/sec-automobilia/sec-imho/2005.03.20_irs-2007-svt/default.htm

[SloNLo_350]

A properly designed IRS is what it needs.

DELRIN!! (spelled backwards is magic)

How about the pic of the C6 rip off wheels?

Also I'd vote 5.4 for SURE now that it had that bulge on the hood in that video.

[BreBar21]

DELRIN!! (spelled backwards is magic)

How about the pic of the C6 rip off wheels?

Also I'd vote 5.4 for SURE now that it had that bulge on the hood in that video.

C5 rip off. Had you clicked the link for the IRS/Solid Axle analysis, you would have seen the wheels. Supposedly they are the production wheels. Here is the pic:

http://www.jwfisher.com/sec-automobilia/sec-imho/2005.03.20_irs-2007-svt/red-mule.jpg

[SloNLo_350]

oh i mixed C5 and Z06 in my head there... eh, REAL Z06's are alot better. And those are either 235's or 255's either of which is WAY too narrow.

[BreBar21]

oh i mixed C5 and Z06 in my head there... eh, REAL Z06's are alot better. And those are either 235's or 255's either of which is WAY too narrow.

235/40/18 or 255/40/18??? Considering the 03's came with 275's, I doubt they would step the size down that much. I would be willing to bet they are going to be bigger. Greg, start deleting his posts.

[SloNLo_350]

235/40/18 or 255/40/18??? Considering the 03's came with 275's, I doubt they would step the size down that much. I would be willing to bet they are going to be bigger. Greg, start deleting his posts.
I'm not saying that they are gonna stick with that size, but can you not clearly see the 235 or 255 on the side of that tire? I'm sure that is just on the test car.

[BreBar21]

I'm not saying that they are gonna stick with that size, but can you not clearly see the 235 or 255 on the side of that tire? I'm sure that is just on the test car.

It is far from clear. I would lean more towards a 335 than a 235. The rims are supposedly painted versions of the production wheel. I will guarantee the the production rim will be no smaller than 9" wide. I don't think it is even possible to put a 235 or 255 on an 18x9" rim.

[SloNLo_350]

Can't put a 255 on a 9 inch wheel?!? Thats a 10 inch wide tire!

Anyway, if you look at the video it looks like the fronts might be narrower than the rears so I would venture to say either the test car has 255's all around or possibly 255's on the front and slightly wider on the rear, but they are DEFINITELY not 335's.

But like you said, we'll know tomorrow.

[hobbstc]

Sort of...we'll see the concept tomorrow.

[Slow ET]

40k for a mustang
:funny:

[slmdLS1]

40k for a mustang
:funny:


and it takes them 3 years with a blower to surpass 400rwhp from the dealer?

[17TH SVT]

dont even start. since when has chevy made a motor that can handle near 700 hp on stock internals

[slmdLS1]

dont even start. since when has chevy made a motor that can handle near 700 hp on stock internals

since now? :shrug:

[Slow ET]

dont even start. since when has chevy made a motor that can handle near 700 hp on stock internals

Since when has GM relied on FI to make HP? No real need for forged internals in NA motors, unless youre seeing max RPM/CR. Sell your car and get a cobra

[fatkid]

If im not mistaked dont the 03's/04 start havin problems internally when they reach above 600 to mid 600's :shrug: I thought i read that somewhere.

[T]

Are you guys that blinded that you cant appreciate the 03/04 for what they are. Even more so that they are offering ford fans a new platform with hopefully another great motor and tranny. Now of course I would love for ford to make me a turbocharged 400ci motor that can be driven daily and run 8s at the track, but it aint gonna happen.

[Bullhead00]

I've liked the new Mustang since it came out. I think it's a WAY better car than the previous. The GT500 is awesome too!