From Dec. Motor Trend:
"Work is progressing on the Mustang Cobra, which Ford SVT is set to introduce as a 2006 model, with an independent rear suspension and a supercharged 5.4-litre V-8. SVT's goal is rumored to be 500hp, enough to give the Z06 a run for its money."

I think I found my next car (as long as it's not overweight, overpriced, etc.)

 

unless that thing goes on a serious diet, I doubt it will be anywhere near the performance of a ZO6.

 

2 things I wouldn't bet on:

1. Having "just" 500 horsepower
2. Being called "Cobra".

 

I thought that the "Cobra" title was dead?

The GT engine is a 5.4L 550hp/500tq and that one is hand built. Though I see it as possible, making a 500hp/500tq motor seems reasonable... But that'd add to the already $35k sticker, probably pushsing it up another several thousand if not many thousands... I see that as possible, but at what point will people start to say "okay... it's a mustang" and though it is an incredible car with looks that kinda grow on you it is certainly not direct vette competition.

The 04 GT was 3347lb
The 04 Cobra was 3665lb
The 05 GT is 3450lb

So we can speculate a theoretical weight of 3768lb (hehe) and a pricetag for 100hp more, $3k seems more then fair, so we're talking a 500hp/500tq 3700lb car for perhaps a $38k msrp...

The 05 C6 standard is 3179lb, 400hp/400tq, and $43,445msrp.

power to weight the C6 has .126hp/lb where the Cobra would have .135, so the Cobra would still have a better power to weight ratio...

However, the LS2 isnt a 400hp motor, and if they technically rate it to 430hp which it is nearly good for already, then the two cars would have an identical power to weight ratio. Not bad on the mustang's part at all - but will it sell???

500hp from a mustang is possible as there is nothing better in the ford lineup aside from the GT.

But a 500hp Cobra with no weight reduction would be (by the numbers) as fast or slightly faster then a standard C6. A next gen Z06 with 500hp and supposedly it will be more trim then it's counterpart would mean the power to weight ratio (for the same weight even) would jump to .157... in order to get that power to weight ratio from a 3700lb stang, it'd need 582hp... which is more then the GT40 now has...

And I thought the new GT40 was supposedly going to be light - it's rated at 3475lb!!!

 

A create engine version of the Ford GT 550HP 5.4L is $45K I take it is this is true then the engine will probably be a 3 valve?

 

I think it will be a 3v with a twin-screw supercharger...
and yes, weight is a HUGE concern, along with a fuel consumption tax which will certainly be higher than the current $1000 (15 mpg anyone??)...but we'll wait and see

 

if it's rated at more than 500, then I honestly wonder where the ceiling is, because they are not leaving themselves much room to grow...if the 2006 SVT Mustang was say, 550 HP, then buyers would expect 600 HP for 2007...

 

I say the whatever the SVT car has, its going to be sub-500. I say its going to be a moddified 3v 4.6 supercharged 450ish hp. The next Mach1/Bullit car will probably hold a 3v 5.4 making 370-390hp.

 

500hp is doable, but it seems overboard at the same time. Especially for a relatively affordable mustang model. 500hp sounds like something a Cobra-R would be packing.

Whatever it is, it'll have something north of 420 horses that's for sure, which is still a lot. I'm hoping for something north of or near 450 horses. That and i really hope they address the weight issue. The previous coupe was 36XXlbs, and the new platform seems to carry a bit more weight than the fox-cars.

 

I think you hit it on the head.

 

I'd start questioning the associated structure of the Mustang platform at those power levels....

Making a Corvette with hydroformed rails, low weight and terrific stiffness handle that kind of power is one thing, building a much more pedestrian passenger car to do the same is quite another.

I'll be interested to see how it works out!

Should make for an interesting horsepower war. GM would most likely not be caught sitting on their hands for that one... especially the GTO and CTSv.

 

And yet it ran an 11.1@131

But as to the Cobra vs C6. I agree, a 500hp Cobra will be slightly faster(if it has torque management also). If it escapes having that little glitch in the programming then it's a low 12 car vs a high 12 car.

 

Hrm....I think thats another reason why the Camaro should be on the Kappa chassis due to its stiffer, and possible stronger chassis to handle the abuse of a very powerful power plant! But Im sure that Zeta will be fine to handle all the power GM can throw at it.

 

Based completely on your hatred for Ford and your disgust to see them put out an 'affordable' vehicle with as much power as GMs halo car?

 

If Cobra makes anything north of say, 475hp, I would expect it to be packing the GT engine, and as such, even detuned, will be significantly more expensive than the old ones. Im thinking north of $38k. But thats ok marketing wise, because Ford is going to slot its special editions in between Mustang GT and Cobra.

Assuming that is true, which might be a stretch, would Cobra outperform a C6? Probably. But the prices are going to be close, and ZO6 is going to be lurking out there waiting to stuff that Cobra back in its basket.