The Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 (foreground) is designed to be a worthy successor to the trend-setting Shelby Cobra of earlier years.
The Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and Carroll Shelby have joined forces to create a high-performance Mustang that fittingly carries the Cobra GT500 name with great power, impressive handling and classic Shelby design cues.The Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 will continue SVT's legacy of high- performance Mustangs with a production version slated to go on sale in 2006. Preliminary ratings put the engine at more than 450 horsepower.
'With the new GT500, SVT engineers are developing a high-performance Mustang that has not only won the blessing of Carroll Shelby himself, but one that lives up to the best of what the GT500 badge represents to enthusiasts,' says Tom Jones, SVT chief program engineer.
'The GT500 delivers on all the key ingredients expected of an SVT Mustang: big power, great handling, awesome brakes, and of course, a distinct look.'
The GT500 features the most powerful engine ever fit into a factory Mustang, delivering more than 450 horsepower and 450 foot- pounds of torque. The GT500 will be followed by other SVT-engineered performance products, possibly including a version of the production-intent Sport Trac Adrenalin, the industry's first performance sport-utility truck.
Energized by the launch of the Ford GT supercar in 2004, Ford's in- house performance brand also takes the reins of developing non- SVT branded blue-oval models, including other performance Mustangs inspired by the Bullitt GT and Mach 1.
'SVT is transforming itself with great new products and the responsibility to apply its expertise to other parts of our performance world,' says Phil Martens, Ford group vice president for product creation.
'The Ford GT and GT500 are the foundation for the momentum SVT will inject across more and more vehicles.'
Classic big-block displacement and modern SVT engineering create a most potent factory Mustang.
When the Shelby GT350 was introduced, it was instantly respected as a performance car. Yet, it wasn't until Ford's famed 428-cubic-inch big-block found its way into the GT500 that Mustang's reputation as a true muscle car was firmly established.
To be true to that legacy, the Shelby Cobra GT500 had to possess firepower competitive with the world's best performance cars. Following the theory that 'there's no replacement for displacement,' SVT engineers fit the new GT500 with a version of Ford's 5.4-liter 'MOD' V-8 engine. This is only the second time a factory Mustang has used the 5.4- liter engine, following the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R.
In addition to muscle-car cubic inches, SVT engineers employed modern performance technologies developed for the supercharged SVT Mustang Cobra and the Ford GT. As a result, the GT500 features a cast-iron block topped with the Ford GT's four-valve aluminum cylinder heads. These high-flow heads are paired with a screw-type supercharger and a water-to-air intercooler, for a broad torque curve all the way up to redline.
Higher-flowing heads help the engine 'breathe' better for increased power and fuel efficiency, while the addition of the intercooler allows the supercharger to deliver a denser fuel-air mixture to the cylinders, resulting in a more powerful charge for each firing cycle. Also sourced from the Ford GT are the piston rings and rod bearings, ensuring a high level of performance and durability.
However, the ultimate factory Mustang isn't limited to just a power upgrade. Shelby and Ford SVT are known for delivering balanced, all- around performance -- and the Shelby Cobra GT500 is no exception.
The development of the GT500 chassis started during the 2005 Mustang program, when the basic geometry and chassis structure were tested and validated on a number or race tracks. The result is solid chassis that has won acclaim from media and customers alike. Mustang features a revised MacPherson strut independent front suspension with lightweight Reverse L lower control arms, and a solid-axle, three-link rear suspension with coil springs and a Panhard rod.
The Reverse L configuration improves lateral motion control and steering response via a firm bushing located where the shorter leg connects to the chassis. At the same time, a softer bushing on the longer leg better dampens road shocks. The revised three-link setup with coils helps maintain constant toe-in and camber relative to the road surface, while the Panhard rod controls side-to-side axle movement in relation to the chassis for improved tracking.
Prior to his current assignment as director of advanced product creation and SVT, Hau Thai-Tang served as the chief engineer for the 2005 Mustang.
'During development of the new Mustang, plenty of time was spent at the track ensuring the platform met our requirements, and was capable of handling future performance derivatives,' says Thai- Tang. 'Media and customer reactions have been extremely positive in terms of chassis dynamics.'
The base architecture was further validated by the race-prepared Ford Racing Mustang FR500C, built ground-up from the base Mustang body structure and suspension geometry to run in the Grand- Am Cup series. Out of the box, an FR500C competed in and won its first ever race in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway in February 2005.
'In terms of performance, the solid-rear-axle setup in the Shelby Cobra GT500 has been proven in race competition this year with a Ford Racing Mustang FR500C taking the checkered flag at Daytona,' Thai-Tang said. 'First race, first win; not bad against the best from Germany and Japan.'
To create the GT500, SVT engineers are using real-world experience gained during more than 12 years of building Mustang Cobras to deliver the power brand's signature chassis tuning for a balanced, performance-tuned ride that still maintains the compliancy required for everyday driving. This includes SVT engineers recalibrating the shock valves and spring rates for increased wheel control and road feedback. A new shock tower brace and structural K-member will deliver even crisper steering response. Finally, a larger rear stabilizer bar will reduce body lean.
To put a stop on all of this power and handling ability, SVT has employed some of the biggest brakes in the business. The GT500 features 14-inch cross-drilled Brembo brake rotors up front, clamped by four-piston aluminum calipers. The rear features 13-inch discs with two- piston calipers. Unique 19-by-9.5- inch aluminum split-five-spoke wheels are wrapped in 255/45ZR- 19 high-performance rubber to help secure the GT500 to the road.
SVT has remained a viable specialty performance group within Ford for more than decade because it has a unique connection with its customers.
'SVT communicates with its customers on a personal level rather than using national advertising campaigns,' says George Ayres, SVT sales and marketing manager. 'We think this approach gives us a unique advantage in understanding our customers' needs to help keep improving SVT products and business.'
This constant interaction helps SVT product planners know and understand the Mustang buyer and, consequently, how to deliver just the right blend of performance and value.
