Which do you think would be better for Ford to do?

To build a 440 hp N/A'd SVT Cobra and a 605 hp Shelby GR-1

Or

..just a 500 hp SVT Cobra?

With all of the power the 07 SVT Cobra is rumored to have, and at the price it will cost, it will be lethal. As in people getting wrapped around poles. A Viper for less than half the cost. Deadly.

By building the Shelby GR-1, it would help with the costs of the 550 hp Ford GT. The Shelby GR-1 would make a better race car than the Mustang. It could take on the C6-R like the Shelby Daytona Coupe took on Ferrari.

The Shelby GR-1, more than any other Ford concept car, is a concept car that HAS to be built. It would be a shame not to build it. The Shelby GR-1 could take sales away from the Corvette and the Viper.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-Ford-Shel...R-1-Concept.htm

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/article_444.shtml

What better way to honor Carroll Shelby than to build it?

 

The 500 hp Cobra. Simply because I'll never be able to afford the GR-1.

 

Those upper level cars do so much more than make money. They often lose money. It is about company image. Without the Viper, Chrysler would have a lot less respect (remember the Cordoba, K cars and Horizons). The fact that Ford has the ***** to build GTs, GR-1s and GT-Rs will sell a lot of regular cars to the people that can't afford the special ones.

If I had to choose one, of course it would be the Cobra ('cuz that is what I am getting).

 

The GT-R and the Shelby GR-1 are concept cars. If they don't build the Shelby GR-1, it wouldn't help the Mustang at all. The 05 Mustang wouldn't compete with the C6-R in AMLS but a Shelby GR-1 would.

 

This is my only problem with your post. It seems to imply that people with money know how to drive cars with alot of power better than others. I would say that the opposite is true, if anything. People with alot of money tend to buy cars like Vipers for the status, and then don't have a clue of how to control all that power. There are idiots who shouldn't own fast cars in all walks of life. Whether they have millions, or work a 9 to 5 job at the local grocery store.

 

The GT-R and the Shelby GR-1 are concept cars. If they don't build the Shelby GR-1, it wouldn't help the Mustang at all. The 05 Mustang wouldn't compete with the C6-R in AMLS but a Shelby GR-1 would. [/b][/quote]
Not sure if this a counterpoint to my post or an agreement, but, what I am saying is that building these cars WOULD help Mustang sales. The image they produce by making these kind of cars gets people interested that cannot afford the GR-1s, etc. So they (I), go out and buy the closest thing they can afford. I think the Ford GT is the hottest thing on 4 wheels (yeah, I know, Enzo, Carrera Gt, etc.). Since Jay Leno bought mine, I'll go for the Cobra (I cannot afford the cheapest Ferrari, I could swing an entry level 911, but, it is twice the price and half the power).

 

I'd like to see an insanely powered N/A Cobra...no matter what else Ford makes.

Boosting it one way or another just seems like the easy way out...not that I'm complaining....but they've got the ability to do something N/A, so why not?

 

Because they have had great success with S/C engines lately, and because the mod motors love boost of any kind. They were made for boost.

It would require a more expensive, high-strung, high compression N/A motor to match what they can do with a properly built S/C motor. And, at the end of the day, there is alot more potential in a S/C motor than a high compression N/A motor.

I always wonder why anyone wouldn't want a factory S/C engine. I have never understood the "easy way out" argument. Is it the "easy way out" when Chevy adds more cubes to their LS2 motor? Or when Porsche adds twin turbos to a 911? No. They are all looking for more power.

The N/A versus S/C debate never made any sense to me. As long as the power is there, what is the problem?

Sorry, didn't mean to get off on a rant. Just giving my $.02. I currently have a high-strung N/A engine. I love it, but would love a S/C motor more. There is nothing like basically being able to change a pulley and add more power instantly.

No matter what they do, i look forward to the new Cobra as well. Take care.

 

I would love to see a supercharged engine in the next Cobra, no matter the displacement if only for the ease of modding it.

Not taking anything away from a big N/A motor - big cubes are great. But the instantaneous torque from a properly setup S/C'd motor is addictive. Honestly, the 4.6 DOHC is a much more 'fun' motor to drive and play with than the LS1 which is no slouch!

But, either way, I can't wait to see what they do put in the car. It should make for some great bench racing, no matter what!

 

The 500hp s/c SVT Cobra for 49,900 sounds like a nice ride!

 

I'd pay it in a heartbeat if they make it $12,000 better than the last one. When I was planning to buy an '03/'04 I had planned to take to Kenny Brown and have $10-12K worth of mods anyway.

 

Not a problem at all. Guess it sheds some light on it.

I guess I just see it as "an easy way out" because it seems to take all the fun work out of it for those that like to tinker. But that won't really stop them I guess...heck, look at those people ripping the Eaton blower off the '03s and '04s and strapping on a KB, Whipple, or heck, even a Procharger.

 

Not a problem at all. Guess it sheds some light on it.

I guess I just see it as "an easy way out" because it seems to take all the fun work out of it for those that like to tinker. But that won't really stop them I guess...heck, look at those people ripping the Eaton blower off the '03s and '04s and strapping on a KB, Whipple, or heck, even a Procharger. [/b][/quote]
Or even the "beginner" who can do the easy bolt ons and yield 50-100 hp with the pulleys, CAI, exhaust, etc. The SC makes it easier for those people and the "experts" can build from there. The non-modifiers get plenty-o-power without turning a wrench and it has a warranty.

 

If Ford does build a very power SVT Mustang Cobra, will there be room for the Shelby GR-1?

 

of course. the cobra and GR1 i thinks are aimed at two totally different groups of buyers. the GR1 would be more for ppl who are likely to buy a viper or Ford GT, the cobra would be more readily available to the public. and cheaper too (the best part)

 

yes, as 9er said, two different demographics.

 

Or even the "beginner" who can do the easy bolt ons and yield 50-100 hp with the pulleys, CAI, exhaust, etc. The SC makes it easier for those people and the "experts" can build from there. The non-modifiers get plenty-o-power without turning a wrench and it has a warranty. [/b][/quote]
Thats the beauty of the Mustang, and the supercharged cars just give you more of it, and its fortunate also, because going deeper into the engine gets expensive and complicated in a hurry (cams, porting, bigger valves etc etc)........ And yes, I believe there is room for both, but the Cobra should be about 40k to wallop the Vette in price and performance, and the GR-1 should match the Viper in price, or cut it a little to promote the more bang for the buck theme.

 

yes but the 05 Corvette is a sports car but the SVT Cobra won't be as nimble as a C6. The 05 GT already weighs a few hundred pounds more than a C6. It will be more of a muscle car.

 

Corvette = White Collar purpose built sports car.

Mustang/Cobra = Blue Collar hard working, swiss army knife.

Please stop intermingling the two. They are not in the same comparable classification. Now if Ford would bring the price down on the "Ford GT's" to compete with the C6, guess who would win.

Is anybody following my thought process?

 

yes, I follow, but, there is no real other competition to choose from. No one else makes a muscle car. GTO, Corvette and Viper are the closest unless you want to include WRX, Evo, etc. (which I don't).