August Road & Track
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Closet American





Joined: July 17, 2005
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From: Vancouver, BC (Hollywood North)
Just looked at the Ampersand section of the latest Road & Track. Worth a look.
What struck me other than the talk of a new Camaro and Challenger (with artists' concept sketches) was their description of HOW WELL the Shelby handled in their first test drive. They said that over bumps and dodgey pavement that the SRA was SO WELL DIALED IN that they couldn't see any reason for an IRS. In fact, they said it handled better on uncertain pavement than even the GT supercar WITH IRS!!
So how's THAT for an endorsement?
Who says IRS MUST be the better option on every platform?
This car is gonna rock!
What struck me other than the talk of a new Camaro and Challenger (with artists' concept sketches) was their description of HOW WELL the Shelby handled in their first test drive. They said that over bumps and dodgey pavement that the SRA was SO WELL DIALED IN that they couldn't see any reason for an IRS. In fact, they said it handled better on uncertain pavement than even the GT supercar WITH IRS!!
So how's THAT for an endorsement?
Who says IRS MUST be the better option on every platform?
This car is gonna rock!
Good to hear, where are all those IRS snobs : ) This is exactly what I was trying to say. Let's wait till we start giving Ford crap about using SRA and see how it performs. If it is a great handling car, who cares that it has SRA! My guesses at their responses
"But every other car mfg'er uses IRS, so why does Ford use the antiquated buggy axle" OR
"Yeah it handles OK with the SRA, but it would be even better with an IRS"
"But every other car mfg'er uses IRS, so why does Ford use the antiquated buggy axle" OR
"Yeah it handles OK with the SRA, but it would be even better with an IRS"
Thread Starter
Closet American





Joined: July 17, 2005
Posts: 5,851
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From: Vancouver, BC (Hollywood North)
Okay, guys, here's the exact Road & Track quote - and we should all breathe a little easier:
What else is there to say...?
...but the major question was how the new de facto SVT Mustang Cobra handled with a live axle.
Excellently, thank you. Axle tramp was nonexistent, and with an intelligently soft, real-world suspension tune, a combination of weight transfer and the 3-link rear geometry gave satisfyingly deep traction from either a standing start or corner exit. Chassis balance was blessedly close to neutral, enough so that grin-inducing throttle steeer is the preferred technique at the limit, and transitions came with natural accuracy. Grattan is bumpy, yet we never found the live axle stepped the rear end out. In fact, the IRS-equipped Ford GT also on hand had more difficulty with rear-axle-induced yaw instability over Grattan's bumps.
Excellently, thank you. Axle tramp was nonexistent, and with an intelligently soft, real-world suspension tune, a combination of weight transfer and the 3-link rear geometry gave satisfyingly deep traction from either a standing start or corner exit. Chassis balance was blessedly close to neutral, enough so that grin-inducing throttle steeer is the preferred technique at the limit, and transitions came with natural accuracy. Grattan is bumpy, yet we never found the live axle stepped the rear end out. In fact, the IRS-equipped Ford GT also on hand had more difficulty with rear-axle-induced yaw instability over Grattan's bumps.
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Closet American





Joined: July 17, 2005
Posts: 5,851
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From: Vancouver, BC (Hollywood North)
Originally posted by OBleedingMe@July 27, 2005, 10:16 PM
Wow... that's some impressive stuff. Almost makes ya wanna pay more than MSRP for this car. Almost.
Wow... that's some impressive stuff. Almost makes ya wanna pay more than MSRP for this car. Almost.
Now, if they can just keep that leather interior treatment, all should be right with the world!
Originally posted by BC_Shelby@July 28, 2005, 4:26 AM
Almost...but not quite.
Now, if they can just keep that leather interior treatment, all should be right with the world!
Almost...but not quite.
Now, if they can just keep that leather interior treatment, all should be right with the world!
I almost wish that these mags would hold off for awhile on their reviews... just stirs up the hype more and will make it harder for the common man to get a Shelby. But then again... hearing these views is so vindicating!!
I reallt don't understand what's to hate about the SRA in fact it handles just as well if not better than some vehicles equipped with IRS. Anyways in most straight line races you won't have to care because all the other IRS guys will just be looking at you and your rear.
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