wakerider017

DEARBORN, Mich., May 12, 2005 -- At the 2005 New York International Auto Show last March, Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) took the wraps off the stunning Ford Shelby Cobra GT500. Since then, interest in the special Mustang has been strong.

After seeing the GT500 in New York, AutoWeek magazine wrote: "On paper, the GT500 -- in development for more than a year and officially approved two months ago -- has enough power and flair to put Chevrolet's base Corvette C6 smack on the trailer."

Edmunds.com wrote: "This Cobra should satisfy even the most extreme performance enthusiasts and make Corvette drivers a little nervous."

And The Car Connection wrote: "With all the power promised for the new Cobra GT500, it's likely that almost everyone will have to follow."

Dealers seem to like it, too.

"I think the Shelby Cobra GT500 is awesome," said Grant Guzowski, a sales representative at Capistrano Ford in Orange County, California. "I have a customer who is waiting to get on a list to buy one. He can't wait. As soon as it comes out, he is going to buy one. Ford seems to have hit all the critical areas: straight-line acceleration, cornering, brakes, performance times. If you can buy a Mustang Cobra that will compete with a Porsche 911, like you can with this car, that's amazing. We're really excited. We can't wait to see them in the dealership."

For those of who missed the New York unveiling, here are the basics, plus a bit more information than was revealed in our previous Shelby Cobra GT500 story.

The Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 will be the most powerful Mustang from the factory ever. It has a supercharged 5.4-liter DOHC V-8 engine that produces more than 450 horsepower and 450 pounds-feet of torque. The cast-iron block four-valve engine is force-fed a mixture of air and fuel via a roots-type supercharger at 8.5 pounds per square inch of boost. This engine was first put into service in the limited-edition 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R, a car that Car and Driver magazine ran from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and from 0 to 100 in 11 seconds, and that was without a supercharger.

"The Shelby Cobra GT500 is going to be the most capable, the most powerful Mustang that Ford or SVT or Carroll Shelby has ever introduced," said Hau Thai-Tang, Director of Advanced Product Creation and SVT.

Jay O'Connell, SVT chief vehicle engineer said that the car's supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 has a higher horsepower rating than any other production-capable Mustang in history.

"It really delivers on the essence of two great names in Ford performance -- a mix of SVT's modern-day experience with supercharging and the Shelby GT500's heritage of big-block power," said O'Connell.

The Shelby Cobra GT500's supercharged V-8 uses a T-56 six-speed manual gearbox. The evenly spaced gears mean less stirring is needed to find the "sweet spot" in keeping the revs "on cam" for power to pass, while at the same time making the most of the engine's broad torque curve.

Visually, the Ford Shelby GT500 concept has Le Mans-style white stripes race along the top from nose to tail. GT500 nomenclature is prominent in the lower bodyside racing stripe. The Ford Shelby GT500 concept also has unique front and rear fascias, a heat-extracting hood, and Shelby and SVT badging.

SVT engineers retuned and upgraded key chassis components based on experience gained through the Ford Racing Mustang FR500C program. Improvements include revised shocks, spring rates and upgraded stabilizer bars. The GT500 also features a MacPherson strut independent front suspension with "Reverse L" lower control arms, and a solid-axle, three-link rear suspension with coil springs and a Panhard rod for precise control of the rear axle.

"SVT and Ford Racing will be working closer than ever as we go forward on future projects, especially Mustangs," said Thai-Tang. "The Mustang FR500C racing program is an exact demonstration of the capability we engineered into the mainstream Mustang to be capable of. The Mustang FR500C and Shelby Cobra GT500 both showcase Mustang's performance possibilities."

For the first time on any SVT Mustang, the Shelby Cobra GT500's front grille has an off-center snake in place of the standard running horse. "GT500" is emblazoned inside the side rocker stripes, and the name "SHELBY" is prominently featured across the rear deck. The SVT logo is on the wheel center caps, a signature SVT location, as well as on the doorsill plates. To top if off, the gas cap medallion between the taillights reads "Shelby GT500" centered on the Cobra image.

The Shelby Cobra GT500's interior is wrapped in ebony black leather, including the top of the dash, door panels and center arm rest. The shift lever, shift boot and parking-brake handle are also covered in leather. SVT Red leather-trimmed seats and door panel inserts provide a marked contrast to the rest of the leather-trimmed cabin. Snake logos embroidered into the seat backs finish the package.

"SVT has been and will remain the leader in performance vehicle engineering and marketing," said Phil Martens, Ford group vice president, Product Creation. "SVT remains unique in offering the total performance experience. The Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 and the return of Carroll Shelby to our performance family only strengthens our firepower."

©Copyright 2005 Ford Motor Company. All rights reserved.

Shelby Roadster

Crossing fingers for Twin screw, not a roots..

FireDragon

The only detail i'm waiting to hear now is if I will be able to get one without going over MSRP. I'd hate to wait till next year only to find them auctioned off to the highest bidder(which will probably happen), while I could be driving an 06 by then. Order banks open for 06s soon...hmmm...

wakerider017

roots... twin screw... whats the dif?

Robert

Nothing new in that report - just a different regurgitation of what we already know. But thanks anyway!

crazyhorse

Other than it is a Ford source saying roots SC rather than twin screw.

Looks like Ford is overpromising and underdelivering again. It has gotten old. The Mustang GT concept changed dramatically, Cobra doesn't get IRS, now twin screw is probably gone. I heard a rumor that the interior was going to have less leather. It just goes on and on. I won't change my mind based on rumor. I'll wait until it is revealed, but, I'm losing faith.

I have a friend who is a Chevy dealer. He has promised me a Z06 at sticker. If sticker is within my price range, I'm considering jumping ship. SVT/Ford better pull it together.

ArkAngelx3

Have a nice trip. For everyone 1 we lose, 10 more will arrive!!!

crazyhorse

??

So you are hoping I jump so 10 more can want Cobras??

Strange logic.

As I said, I'll wait to see what happens, but, I am tired of Ford doing this to us. Is it OK with you if they decide to take away the 5.4 or the vented hood or the 6 speed or the SC altogether? Where does it stop?

My point is, if they aren't going to put things like this in the car, why tell us they are going to put them in there in the first place?

Rampant

Please

I love how Ford sneaked that in a release by having a dealer say it, but come on--give me a break. There is MUCH more to performance than just hp.

Route 66

Is your friend just a salesrep, or does he own the dealership? Cause I can't see any Chevy dealership selling the Z06 at MSRP. If you can afford the Z06, get it. It'll be by far a superior car. But of course, Chevy and Ford are playing the same game. We are not going to give you the price unitl the very last minute. Keeps the suspense alive for all.

crazyhorse

He owns the dealership. It isn't actually a friend, he is a patient of mine. When he was in the hospital last week, we were talking about the z06 and AMVs. He said for me, getting one at sticker was "no problem". I just don't know if I can justify 75K for a car. I might stretch to 65K.

68notch

<!--QuoteBegin-crazyhorse@May 15, 2005, 11:37 AM

As I said, I'll wait to see what happens, but, I am tired of Ford doing this to us. Is it OK with you if they decide to take away the 5.4 or the vented hood or the 6 speed or the SC altogether? Where does it stop?

My point is, if they aren't going to put things like this in the car, why tell us they are going to put them in there in the first place?

Quoted post

[/quote]

According to the June issue of Hot Rod, the GT500 will be getting a roots blower. Also, the vents will be raised but non-functional. Oh, the horror! The Cobra is ruined! 450 whp stock just won't cut it! Jeez. Get a clue.

Robert

Seems unlikely, since it's been well documented that the vents are needed to reduce underpressure and cool the engine.

Robert

I agree with you, crazyhorse. And the rumor about the leather actually came from this month's issue of Automobile magazine. They stated that it MAY not be swathed in all the leather we saw in the NY show car.

If Ford persists with these bait & switch tactics, they're only slitting their own throats, particularly in the face of rapidly expanding import competition.

I guess when they said that the car was 95% of what we're actually going to see, that last 5% represents what they plan to TAKE AWAY, rather than add or modify. :notnice:

68notch

Here's the quote: "The biggest appearance change will be to the hood, where the inset functional extractor grilles will be nonfunctional and raised proud on the surface." Take from it what you will.

<!--QuoteBegin-Robert@May 15, 2005, 5:55 PM
If Ford persists with these bait & switch tactics, they're only slitting their own throats, particularly in the face of rapidly expanding import competition.

Quoted post

[/quote]

What import competition?

crazyhorse

Get a Clue? Dude, do you have any idea how much of a clue I have about this car? I have been intently following it since it was first announced that the body style was changing.

If they are taking away the other things, who says they won't take away the HP, too? maybe they will give us a 320 hp 4.6 3 valve. That is my point. I'm sick of them taking all these things away after promising them to us. You have illustrated my point very well with your Hot Rod quote. We were told functional hood, twin screw blower and leather interior. How much is OK to take away before it bothers you and ArkAngel? Would you be happy with a Go Kart as long as it has 450hp?

And Robert is right, the car needs air venting under the hood. The GTs are having difficulty with it and their grill opening is smaller. If no ram air is considered nonfunctional, then fine, I could care less. It, however, needs those vents to release the pressure build up.

wakerider017

"who says they won't take away the HP, too? maybe they will give us a 320 hp 4.6 3 valve."

A little exageration? I am kinda pissed to... but all we can do it wait and see what we get.

Robert

Ah, Ford sales are down...import sales are up. It's common knowledge that Ford and GM are hanging on by a thread while companies like Toyota are gaining a dominant foothold in the North American market. THAT import competition.

As big a seller as the Mustang is, it can't keep Ford afloat by itself. Stang sales account for less than 5% of Ford's total volume. Now they want to bait & switch with the one hit they have??

ArkAngelx3

Is this what the site will be reduced to, for the next year and half before the cobra arrives? Griping and complaining!!!!! Booo Hooo. Guy buy a Chevy!!!! Just leaves one more for the people who want one, and will end up changing half the crap anways!!!!

crazyhorse

Ford reads these sites. If we don't complain, they will think it is OK. If people, like you, say it is OK, they will do whatever they can get away with.

Trust me, I would much rather be talking about how cool Ford is for offering a twin screw, etc.