rhumb

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FRITZ @ May 2, 2006, 5:11 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The only problem is, it's kind of a porker weight wise.
[/b][/quote]
Yeah, it's probably spotting the Vette and Viper nearly a 1/4-ton of deadweight, which will certainly blunt its acceleration, not to mention its comparatively blunt prow ripping a ragged hole in the atmosphere once the speed gets up a bit. However, the 500 hp number is itself very good and perhaps the breadth of a SC motor's power band may offer some compensation against its lighter, naturally aspirated brethren in the 500 club.

Of course, that's just on the straight and narrow (and short and smooth) -- throw some curves and cobbles into the equation and the lighter, lower, sleeker and more capably suspended V-cars will really have an distinct advantage.

But then again, the Stang's price savings will by a lot of beer to drown one's sorrows at the end of Slinky Snake Canyon Road.

1 COBRA

The weight should be the least of concerns. The challange will be the handling and the poor suckers who'll think they have instantly become track ready once they are given the keys.

Legion681

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(1 BULLITT @ May 2, 2006, 6:10 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The weight should be the least of concerns. The challange will be the handling and the poor suckers who'll think they have instantly become track ready once they are given the keys.
[/b][/quote]

You have read my mind.
I can see in the near future a lot of casualties due to the "I am invincible" syndrome...
This is a car that demands a LOT of respect...

Knight

i'm kinda disappointed at the 6250 redline. it seems like the the 4v cobra motor has been losing revs ever since 96. wasn't the redline 7200 back then.

1 COBRA

I don't know for sure but 7200 seems is kind of high. The '04 Cobras had 6600 and I could swear it was improved from the '99s and '01s.

mustangfan123

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ecmazza @ May 2, 2006, 10:31 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/eek.gif[/img]

....

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drool.gif[/img]

When one of you people are lucky enough to get one of these beasts, I call shot gun
[/b][/quote]
I call back seat [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrinjester.gif[/img]

Knight

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(1 BULLITT @ May 2, 2006, 5:47 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I don't know for sure but 7200 seems is kind of high. The '04 Cobras had 6600 and I could swear it was improved from the '99s and '01s.
[/b][/quote]
sorry i'm not sure why i thought 7200...

"The Cobra engine is free-revving from idle to its 6,800 rpm redline (fuel shutoff occurs at 7,000 rpm). It produces 305 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, and 300 lb./ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm; it generates more than 1 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement, and 66.30 horsepower per liter."

svt boost

what we all need to remember...if this is anything like the Ford GT, with simple exhaust/pulley changes and a custom tune, this thing is going to put down I bet 600rwhp for less than a grand in aftermarket parts.

laserred38

what price advantage over the vette and viper???....good luck finding one for $40k and ditto for finding a vette at msrp....and i knew the 500 didnt have to do with HP but i figure these days Ford would like to have its halo car's (now that GT production has ended) name evoke its power rating...even so nice to see the 500 in the name now HAS a meaning other than being nostalgic

snkbtn99

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(1 BULLITT @ May 2, 2006, 4:47 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I don't know for sure but 7200 seems is kind of high. The '04 Cobras had 6600 and I could swear it was improved from the '99s and '01s.
[/b][/quote]

Nope ...actually the 03/04 redline less than the 99/01. My '99 redlines at 7200.

And yes .... be ready to see some wrecked 500's. People that dont know how to drive a car with that much horsepower will immediately thing that they can nail the gas and all will be OK .... Uh ...no ..... Please learn to drive them first ....

hi5.0

It is going to need all 500 of those horses to move that weight. LOL. Ford "got it to make" 500hp, now it needs to lose 500lbs. to truly challenge the other cars in the 500hp club when the straightaways end...

Tony Alonso

I used to take my '96 Cobra to an indicate 7200 on the tach without the engine cutting off, but technically the redline was 6800.

Knight Rider

I can't wait when the Vette, Challenge, and Camaro guys find out. They'll be so scared, they would rather just lose hope on a Mustang killer (Camaro and Challenger)

I guess Motor Trend was right. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrinjester.gif[/img]

1 COBRA

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hi5.0 @ May 2, 2006, 9:32 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
It is going to need all 500 of those horses to move that weight...
[/b][/quote]
That's a good point if it applies to competition in Z06 territory. If the reference is to enjoying the car without a 2/10 of a second concern, the car will be a blast to drive providing driver awareness and a safe enviroment are taken into account.

Bluejoker

So the new vette is around 44k right? Z06 around 65K?

So the million dollar question is;

'Is the new GT500 a performance bargain compared to a vette or the z06?'

Anyone? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dunno.gif[/img]

rhumb

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(1 BULLITT @ May 2, 2006, 6:10 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
The weight should be the least of concerns. The challange will be the handling and the poor suckers who'll think they have instantly become track ready once they are given the keys.
[/b][/quote]
Well, it IS all that weight, up front and not too low, that will make the handling a challenge, at least on anything other than flat, butter smooth roads. Interestingly, much like the original GT500, this will be much more a straightline steamer than an adroit corner carver. A monster motor without its full equal in suspension and brakes will always by coffin bait for the ill prepared driver. But even the most idiotproofed car graced with the best suspension and binders money can by will wilt before the hand of the better idiot.

While I'll make my usual IRS pitch to give it a level of all quarters control to go with its impressive dead ahead go, I'm sure they're more than enough 1/4-milers to sell this car out. So from Ford's perspective, why bother to aspire any higher -- perhaps cynical, but financially sound in a tactical way.

But of course, the GT500, even if a bit over priced compared to its Cobra predecessors, will be $20K cheaper than a ZO-6 and $40K skinnier than a Viper's sticker, so compromises do have to be made.

300HPGT

Well Ford also Rates these engines with the transmissions attatched and all accessories on the front of the motor. Most other car companies rate with no accessories and at the flywheel. So the Z06 is 505 @ flywheel and with no frontend accessories. Why do you think our 300 HP out of the box stangs are putting out relatively decient numbers stock at the wheels. even the auto guys seem to do almost just as good.

TomServo92

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(300HPGT @ May 2, 2006, 11:04 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Well Ford also Rates these engines with the transmissions attatched and all accessories on the front of the motor. Most other car companies rate with no accessories and at the flywheel. So the Z06 is 505 @ flywheel and with no frontend accessories. Why do you think our 300 HP out of the box stangs are putting out relatively decient numbers stock at the wheels. even the auto guys seem to do almost just as good.
[/b][/quote]

Actually, the new testing procedures require all manufacturers to test their engines the same way. Several Asian manufacturers have had to lower their advertised HP after testing under the new testing protocols. The Z06 was tested under the protocols so it should be just as accurate as the GT500 rating.

James4litre

as soon as i get out of college, not a house, or a savings account will my money go to, but Mr. Shelby shall recieve my income imediately

arc05

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomServo92 @ May 2, 2006, 10:53 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Actually, the new testing procedures require all manufacturers to test their engines the same way. Several Asian manufacturers have had to lower their advertised HP after testing under the new testing protocols. The Z06 was tested under the protocols so it should be just as accurate as the GT500 rating.
[/b][/quote]

Precisely... my girlfriend of 3 years won't be happy about that but hey, sacrifices right?!