has been received. Of course, that makes sense - it's a car that offers contemporary styling with a definite retro flair and a choice of two desirable engines. That car is so hot, in fact, that its rumored that factory executives and designers are far behind a long list of customers waiting for 2005's gotta have it car. Apparently Ford isn't satisfied, though, so 2006 will usher in the Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500, an asphalt-munching beast that traces its heritage back to a highly praised 1968 model of the same name.
Powerful With the minds from Ford's SVT (Special Vehicle Team) unit and the legendary Carroll Shelby working together on this project, it was almost certainly a guaranteed success. The result of this collaboration will surely put goofy grins on the faces of Mustang and power lovers everywhere: 450 horsepower, 450 lb.-ft. of torque, Brembo calipers, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a price that should be in line with that of the previous Mustang Cobra model. And according to project designers, the
2006 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 "will be the most powerful production Mustang ever built."
PricingFord officials are tight-lipped on how much it will cost to get into a 2006 Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500, but they do say that pricing will be in the same range as the previous Cobra, which started in the mid $30s. However, since the new model is better in most every way, we expect pricing to start at least in the high $30s.
450 horses Mustang muscle comes in the form of a supercharged 5.4-liter, dual overhead cam, iron-block, 32-valve V8 with
Ford GT aluminum cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings. Pistons are forged aluminum and the crankshaft if forged steel. Horsepower for the 2006 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 is rated at 450 (at least) and torque peaks at 450 lb.-ft. And since heat robs engine power, the GT500 is equipped with an upgraded cooling system and an aluminum hood with heat vents.
450 lb.-ft. Mustang muscle comes in the form of a supercharged 5.4-liter, dual overhead cam, iron-block, 32-valve V8 with Ford GT aluminum cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings. Pistons are forged aluminum and the crankshaft if forged steel. Horsepower for the 2006 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 is rated at 450 (at least) and torque peaks at 450 lb.-ft. And since heat robs engine power, the GT500 is equipped with an upgraded cooling system and an aluminum hood with heat vents.
Transmission A six-speed manual transmission, featuring a 3.31 final drive ratio, is responsible for putting the GT500’s power to the pavement.
Speed The previous, non-supercharged Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R reportedly reached 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and 100 mph in about 11 seconds – look for the 2006 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 to better those numbers.
ControlGobs of power are downright dangerous without a suspension system that can keep everything under control. The 2006 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 looks to offer an admirable balance of power and control.
Suspension The 2006 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500 features an independent MacPherson strut suspension up front, aided by a 34-mm stabilizer bar. The rear features a three-link solid axle setup with coil springs and a 24-mm stabilizer. A Panhard rod, with SVT-tuned bushings, has been bolted to the rear axle to keep everything in place when 450 lb.-ft. of torque is unleashed; a control arm attached to the front of the differential also assures that all of that twist doesn’t wreak havoc. And to allow for optimal damping, the rear shocks have been mounted outside of the frame rails. Finally, front and rear ride heights have been lowered to improve handling.
Brakes Understanding that braking power is more important than horsepower and a capable suspension, engineers went all out when it came to the GT500’s stopping power. Behind those 19-inch alloy wheels (shod in 255/45R19 tires) are Brembo vented and cross-drilled discs. Front brakes measure 14 inches and feature four-piston aluminum calipers; rear brakes are 13 inches and feature two-piston calipers.
Interior Unique to the GT500 is black leather located on the dash, shifter, and center console. The seats are wrapped in special SVT red and black leather, which is also located on the door panels. Those who have driven the Mustang GT will notice the GT500’s thicker steering wheel grips, and that the gauge locations have been swapped to make the tachometer more prominent. The battery gauge is gone, replaced by a boost gauge for the supercharger, and all gauges are trimmed in titanium.
Gauges Unique to the GT500 is black leather located on the dash, shifter, and center console. The seats are wrapped in special SVT red and black leather, which is also located on the door panels. Those who have driven the Mustang GT will notice the GT500’s thicker steering wheel grips, and that the gauge locations have been swapped to make the tachometer more prominent. The battery gauge is gone, replaced by a boost gauge for the supercharger, and all gauges are trimmed in titanium.
Two-tone Unique to the GT500 is black leather located on the dash, shifter, and center console. The seats are wrapped in special SVT red and black leather, which is also located on the door panels. Those who have driven the Mustang GT will notice the GT500’s thicker steering wheel grips, and that the gauge locations have been swapped to make the tachometer more prominent. The battery gauge is gone, replaced by a boost gauge for the supercharger, and all gauges are trimmed in titanium.
StyleUnique to the GT500 is black leather located on the dash, shifter, and center console. The seats are wrapped in special SVT red and black leather, which is also located on the door panels. Those who have driven the Mustang GT will notice the GT500’s thicker steering wheel grips, and that the gauge locations have been swapped to make the tachometer more prominent. The battery gauge is gone, replaced by a boost gauge for the supercharger, and all gauges are trimmed in titanium.
Upgrades Unique to the GT500 is black leather located on the dash, shifter, and center console. The seats are wrapped in special SVT red and black leather, which is also located on the door panels. Those who have driven the Mustang GT will notice the GT500’s thicker steering wheel grips, and that the gauge locations have been swapped to make the tachometer more prominent. The battery gauge is gone, replaced by a boost gauge for the supercharger, and all gauges are trimmed in titanium.
DesignOutside, the Shelby Cobra GT500 is accented by dual racing stripes, GT500 lettering, Shelby badges, those 19-inch alloys, and revised front and rear fascias. A rear diffuser has been added, and the integrated spoiler is smaller than that found on the regular Mustang GT. Affixed to the front air dam is an air splitter, and the aluminum hood has a noticeable center “dome” under which lies the supercharger.
ShelbyOutside, the Shelby Cobra GT500 is accented by dual racing stripes, GT500 lettering, Shelby badges, those 19-inch alloys, and revised front and rear fascias. A rear diffuser has been added, and the integrated spoiler is smaller than that found on the regular Mustang GT. Affixed to the front air dam is an air splitter, and the aluminum hood has a noticeable center “dome” under which lies the supercharger.
Badges Outside, the Shelby Cobra GT500 is accented by dual racing stripes, GT500 lettering, Shelby badges, those 19-inch alloys, and revised front and rear fascias. A rear diffuser has been added, and the integrated spoiler is smaller than that found on the regular Mustang GT. Affixed to the front air dam is an air splitter, and the aluminum hood has a noticeable center “dome” under which lies the supercharger.
The Cobra Outside, the Shelby Cobra GT500 is accented by dual racing stripes, GT500 lettering, Shelby badges, those 19-inch alloys, and revised front and rear fascias. A rear diffuser has been added, and the integrated spoiler is smaller than that found on the regular Mustang GT. Affixed to the front air dam is an air splitter, and the aluminum hood has a noticeable center “dome” under which lies the supercharger.
Exhaust After one quick glimpse of the GT500, you can almost hear the thunderous bark of the dual exhaust and smell the fresh scent of burnt rubber in the air. And if you’ve got a chance to pour over this thoroughbred for more than a minute, be prepared to lose yourself in dreams of hair-raising turns, smoky burnouts, and triple-digit runs down your local highway. Just don’t forget that little Johnny Lawman is out there dreaming of catching you.
Dreamin’After one quick glimpse of the GT500, you can almost hear the thunderous bark of the dual exhaust and smell the fresh scent of burnt rubber in the air. And if you’ve got a chance to pour over this thoroughbred for more than a minute, be prepared to lose yourself in dreams of hair-raising turns, smoky burnouts, and triple-digit runs down your local highway. Just don’t forget that little Johnny Lawman is out there dreaming of catching you.
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
