????

 

Well, not really any more than we've already seen or heard. I did think it was funny that my original post regarding info on the new Cobra is all over the web now, including being quoted almost verbatim here (about halfway down the thread, being cited from IMBOC, a Mustang-Bullitt forum):

From MuscularMustangs

John's information has borne out to be pretty much spot on from what I've read/heard, including some info from Motor Trend and others. John is adamant that the redfire Cobra mule seen in the video is indeed a Cobra Mule and that it has the 5.4 S/C motor in it, tuned for ~460hp.

He also said that the H/D live axle setup will be the initial offering and that IRS is still a possibility but that that particular option is losing appeal with the bean counters due to cost/versus return.

Tires/wheels will indeed be Cobra-specific with 18's being the standard tire. Ford is also looking at wider rears than fronts, ala Corvette and other HiPo automobiles but he did not have specific numbers.

He did say that the new Cobra will indeed be on par with the ZO6 on most levels other than price but EPA and CAFE concerns may force trimming of the performance numbers in order to avoid a Gas Guzzling Tax that Ford/SVT would like to avoid. He does not have solid intel in that area, only what he's been told. (?)

He also said that the new Cobra will be a beast and that it will be better than even the rumors are speculating. The hood will have a power-bulge ala earlier Cobra R's and a Cobra specific spoiler with a spoiler-delete option.

As always, we'll have to wait and see but after standing back and watching what is playing out (in particular in the last few days), I'm gaining a high degree of confidence in John's inside intel.

:worship:

 

Steve, once again thank you. You can't help but get gitty when you hear "The new Cobra will be a beast and that it will be better than rumors are speculating"

I need a cold shower.

 

ditto

 

Oh yeah, the fatter rear than front tires would be a real nice touch.

Bring it on.

 

I ran this pic by John earlier today:




He said that the concept model we will see in NY is VERY, VERY close to this chop. The wheels are not close nor is the side exhaust even being considered. However, the hood is 'identical to the one I saw on the show car'.

He also said that the chin spoiler is not there and that the rear spoiler is very similar to what was used on the '03-'04 Terminators but with better fitment for the current body.

He disputed the rumors that a striped car (red/white stripes) will be shown but he did say that it might be possible. All discussion and push in design (according to him) has centered around an understated 'basic' Cobra rather than a gaudy striped and spoilered concept that has been bandied about. There was a LOT of discussion (that apparently won out) that the ZO6 is not heavily spoilered NOR striped and that "the striped/spoilered look is passe' in today's market".

Hmmm... could be interesting. I'm wagering we'll see what John says with stripes and spoilers being dealer installed accessories that the customer can add on if he wishes.

He also said that the "Cammer" motor will NOT be offered at all in the Cobra, just to dispute some other rumors seen on the web. Not sure why he wanted to make that clear to me but he did. (?)

 

I like understated Cobra looks. If the car is a Shelby, it needs to look like a Shelby. If it is a Cobra, I say aggressive hood, aggressive rims/tires (really like the larger rears idea) and tasteful rear spoiler are the way to go.

 

not offering an IRS is going to blow up in their face if they try it

 

Holy cow, Steve. Holy cow. That is the exact car I want.
[see Chris' brain implode.........NOW]

Steve, thank you for all the insight into this beastie. Now all I have to do is find a way to order it...

 

Don't get me wrong, but after you lose the rims, side exhaust, and front spoiler, isn't it the same as a GT with hood scoops (which I like), a duck tail, and a snake emblem? I guess that's about all they really did with the 03-04s, which is good. The important part is what's under that sheet metal, right?
I can't wait!

 

steve,I heard a company called blue moon motorsports is being considered to do a IRS for the cobra.Heard anything about that?



www.bluemooncars.com

 

I saw a torch red 05+ that HAD a lip on it.. similar to that PS that Doug did. Spotted it coming out of the proving grounds this afternoon. Didn't have enough time to snap a pic.. he went across the street and hid.

 

Why? Car doesn't really need it. In other words, too much cost for not enough gain over the live axle. Maybe in a super-special edition, like a new Cobra R, but I don't see the point for the "mainstream" Cobra.

 

I don't think that mainstream really describes the Cobra. The Mach1 was basically a 96-98 Cobra with a few tweaks. It was cool, it was a solid axle version of a 99-01 Cobra. I think the SE should stick with the SRA and the Cobra the IRS. It makes sense.

 

I agree with Mystic Cobra (thought I owed you that one).

 

"John" says that he is not aware of any deal with that Company you mentioned but that a different company was in SVT a few different times for discussion regarding the IRS - he did not have a name.

He does still maintain that IRS will be available and maybe even standard on the new Cobra with the H/D live axle/panhard bar setup being the other offering. However, he did not feel that both axles will be available initially, but will indeed be available shortly after initial production (within 6 months was his estimate).

 

You're precisely correct - and there has been a LOT of pressure from inside SVT to continue with the 'understated' look, just as Chevrolet did with the ZO6 and how SVT did with the other Cobras of before (not just the Terminator series).

I believe that that same theme will indeed continue. Look for a striped/scooped 'in your face' offering from Shelby perhaps but it will not be the actual SVT Cobra nor will "SVT" and "Shelby" appear on a car at the same time. That is the most current information I have but it is unverified as of this moment.

And Mystic, you are also right about what is under the sheet metal that matters the most! I really like the black chop I posted earlier from another website. I think it is very aggressive and yet understated to a degree; characteristics that I've always liked about the Cobras.

 

You're precisely correct - and there has been a LOT of pressure from inside SVT to continue with the 'understated' look, just as Chevrolet did with the ZO6 and how SVT did with the other Cobras of before (not just the Terminator series).

I believe that that same theme will indeed continue. Look for a striped/scooped 'in your face' offering from Shelby perhaps but it will not be the actual SVT Cobra nor will "SVT" and "Shelby" appear on a car at the same time. That is the most current information I have but it is unverified as of this moment.

And Mystic, you are also right about what is under the sheet metal that matters the most! I really like the black chop I posted earlier from another website. I think it is very aggressive and yet understated to a degree; characteristics that I've always liked about the Cobras.
[/b][/quote]
Might want to give your source a call again Steve, Brad is reporting that it WILL be some form of "Shelby by SVT" ... in other words, that Shelby is definitely, 100% absolutely certainly involved with this car.

 

I've already told him this info - he asserts that indeed, a Mustang done as a Shelby/SVT joint venture may happen but that the COBRA - not a GT/Shelby version - will be a stand-alone SVT project with their name on it only.

He says that we may see a Shelby by SVT car but that it will not be the mainstream Cobra. Also, he reminded me that the car to be shown in NY is a concept car as of now with production details "yet to be finallized". But for the most part, the production Cobra "should not deviate much from what we'll see in NY".

I guess we'll see soon enough. I tend to think they're both right - that we'll see the mainstream Cobra without Ol' Shel's name on it AND we'll see a "Shelby-ized" Cobra at some point (maybe at the same time) that reminds us strongly of the GT-500.

Again - we'll see. Either way - it's GREAT!

 

Steve,
I was told by someone ordering can start sometime in late fall, with deliver in Spring of next year. Are you hearing anything on dates?