What's the best they have to offer? Well right now it's the GT, exactly where the engineers went to source the automaker's optimal chassis architecture. While the engine mountings needed to be switched from end to end, the Cobra is based on the new supercar's space frame and suspension components. It's more than just a hack-job quickly assembled to wow the auto show crowds though. It actually runs, and runs very fast.
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| The new Cobra's chassis architecture is sourced from Ford's equally impressive new GT. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
The engine has been mounted in a front-midship position and the transmission in back to provide ideal weight distribution. The front-midship concept is nothing new, and has been proven by the Nissan 350Z/Infiniti G35/FX, while the rear-mounted transmission by Chevrolet's Corvette. At all four corners, double wishbones with aluminum control arms manage road imperfections. Thick stabilizer bars cut back on sway ensuring roll is kept to a minimum. Though it would have been enough for show goers to thrill at the car's straight line performance, Ford wanted to let the public know that its hot rods can take to the curves too.
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| At only 3,937 mm (155 inches) long, the Cobra concept actually measures shorter than the Mazda Miata. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
At 3,937 mm (155 inches) long, the Cobra concept is actually rather short. It's over a meter and half (about 5 feet) shorter than the GT for instance. To put it into better perspective for the majority of readers that haven't seen the GT up close and personal, it's actually just a hair shorter than Mazda's Miata. Really! But despite its length, the Cobra concept utilizes a 2,540 mm (100-inch) wheelbase ensuring stability. But don't make the mistake of passing this Shelby by as a junior roadster - its width spans 1,905 mm (75 inches) while it features a 1,539 mm (60.6 in) track. That's a wider track than the entire width of the Miata.