2007 Ford Shelby Cobra GT500
What Edmunds.com Says:This Cobra should satisfy even the most extreme performance enthusiasts and make Corvette drivers a little nervous.
What We Know: Ford says the Shelby Cobra GT500 Mustang will be the most powerful factory-built Mustang in history, more powerful than the 1969 Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet or even the legendary 1969 Boss 429. Ford is calling the car a unique collaboration between the legend Carroll Shelby and the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT). The Shelby’s supercharged 5.4-liter, 32-valve V8 is similar to the engine in the GT. Ford started with the cast-iron 5.4-liter Triton V8 truck engine and added aluminum heads from the GT, specially calibrated camshafts, a Roots-type supercharger making 8.5 pounds of boost, and a water-to-air intercooler. Under that blower is an all-new low-profile intake manifold, which allows the engine to fit under the GT500’s special air-extraction hood. Fuel comes from a dual-bore electronic throttle body borrowed from Ford’s 6.8-liter truck engine program, however, the larger radiator, increased-capacity cooling system and the exhaust manifolds are unique to this application. The engine is also dressed with special “Powered by SVT” finned cam covers which are reminiscent of the “Cobra Powered By Ford” covers used by Shelby five decades ago, and it’s backed by the same T-56 six-speed that appeared in the supercharged 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra. The GT500 chassis development started during the 2005 Mustang program. The result, according to Ford, will be SVT’s signature chassis tuning with a balanced, performance-tuned ride that still maintains the compliance required for everyday driving. And Ford says it will accomplish these goals, with the GT500’s MacPherson-strut front suspension and three-link rear suspension, which locates a solid rear axle. The GT500’s suspension is lower than a Mustang GT’s, and uses recalibrated front and rear shocks, upgraded front and rear stabilizer bars and revised spring rates. The key to the GT500’s three-link architecture, according to Ford, is the Panhard rod that provides precise control over the rear axle. It’s centrally located and fastened to the upper front end of the differential, while trailing arms are located near each end of the axle. It all rolls on 19-by-9.5-inch wheels wrapped in massive tires measuring 255/45ZR19. And the brakes are equally impressive. The Brembo front rotors are 14 inches in diameter, cross-drilled and clamped by four-piston aluminum calipers. In back, Thai-Tang and his crew chose 13-inch rotors and four-piston calipers.
