I know things can probably still change, but I've driven what is said to be the final 2007 Cobra, and I was told it's around 470HP.

Until recently, it had a more powerful supercharger, producing over 500HP, but it was tearing the car up, so they tamed it down slightly.

It's such an awesome car; it'll leave a smile on your face for a long time after you drive it.

I just have noticed many saying 500HP+ car around here on the boards, and I don't want people to be disappointed if it doesn't happen. Remember, Ford said a 450+ HP car...

 

If it was tearing up the car at over 500hp, then that can't be good since I bet it will be easy to reach that power level.
Give us more info about the drive, and any new pics

 

Well, I imagine whatever the problem was, it'll be straightened out and strengthened for the final product; this was only a mule.

I would be very specific about things, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to under company NDA.

I could just describe the drive as effortless power, yet refined. When I put the car to the test a little, you got to hear the addictive supercharger whine, yet the unwanted noise like wind seemed non-existent. Prior to this drive, the most powerful car I'd been in probably was the 05 GT, so it just felt like a car from the future to me when passing a truck with such ease. I've seen some comments here about people being concerned how to handle "500HP." I found the car easy to handle, and I could see this being a daily driver if you wanted (though I wasn't too rough on it).

 

I'm sorry but I can't buy that argument. If 500 hp was tearing up the car, how can cutting the output by 30 hp make a difference? Ford would have a very large warranty issue with the GT500 if the car is that close to the razors edge in terms of durability. I don't think too many on this board expect a 500 hp GT500. All credible reports indicate 450 - 475 is the most likely amount. However, it will certainly take only a few mods to easily surpass 500 hp.

 

And will ford be underating it like previous cars.

I bet it will be labelled as 450 but come out with 475-485 range

Have to leave room for future enhancement and power....
can't hit the magic 500 mark....and where to go from there?

Coletti was right, eventually there'll be a horsepower barrier that will lead to trying to make the car lighter .

 

I had your same thoughts. But, first of all, it was more than a 30HP difference (the original supercharger was over 500...we had dyno sheets). Secondly, if you think about it more, I doubt it was just tuned down by X horespower. More likely, a different type of supercharger was implemented or something less stressful on the rear axle. And if you're familiar with engineering, things are constantly changing when issues are found, so I imagine the final product will be very durable.

But my point was not to worry anyone about durability, it was just not to assume GT500 as at least 500hp, as seen on the boards, and more commonly with casual people at work, etc.

 

You are correct that the super charger was changed, from a twin screw to a roots. However, I don't believe your reason why. The change in the super charger was made because Ford could not as many of the twin screws as will be needed.

 

I look forward to driving the car with 475 or more!

 

475 would work for me.....no problem!

 

450 / 475 / 500 / 470 - it's going to be Shelby and it's all good !! - Eh - 470 works for me - that's quite a step up from a hot-rodded GT -

 

450...470...500. What difference does it make? It'll pass everything but the gas station. Daily driver? I don't think so. Glug...glug...glug.

 

Half of the potential owners will have smaller pullies waiting in the garage before they even take delivery of the car. Can you say 600 hp?

 

Have they already tested the Shelby mill under the old dyno rules or do they still have to test the engine using the new SAE standard, which tightened up a few loop holes?

 

with that new testing I wonder if underrating applies as well.

 

Well HTT already said it is going to have 500hp so i dont know where your getting your info from.

 

Yeah?
Find that quote...

 

Under the new SAE method the ZO6 went from 500HP to 505HP.

Most Japanese engines went down in HP some significantly.

Ford has said that it will not re-test existing engines, but will use the new SAE method for new engines.

 

the last testing said the Z06 was more like 530-540 just chevy moved the rating to 505

 

All the articles I have read and the calls to SVT have said from 450+ to 475+...never 500hp.

I'm betting it will be under 500hp but easily fixed to go far above.