The Cobra concept rides on 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels that are mounted on super-sticky 275/40ZR racecar rubber up front, and gigantic drag-slick-like 345/35ZR rubber in back. The traction afforded combines with the aforementioned power to weight ratio to sling-shot Ford's roadster concept to 100 km/h in under four seconds. Managing such power through the just rear wheels is jaw-dropping, but it's the top speed which really warps the imagination. I'm not sure if Ford is joking, or just trying to take the title of most ridiculous claim, but the automaker nonetheless predicts a theoretical top speed of 430 km/h - a full 30 km/h over that of Chrysler's supercar ME412. The Cobra's probable barn-door coefficient of drag and the laws of thermodynamics will no doubt dictate a less dramatic speed.
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| In only five months from start to finish, Ford produced the fully capable and driveable Cobra concept. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Surprisingly, the Cobra concept development took just five months from start to finished product, proving Ford's capabilities and dedicated talent. The Advanced Product Creation team, described as "an in-house think-tank cum skunkworks," also brought the GT supercar from show-stopper concept vehicle to a road-going and production ready machine in just fifteen months. It's also important to note that this isn't just a mockup or scale model. The Cobra concept is fully capable of at-the-limit driving. Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette, or any other high-performance car, watch your back 'cause Ford is coming.
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| The concept shares a lot of design cues with the original Cobra, including the bulging, curving hood and fenders. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Sure to catch the eye of the public, the Shelby Cobra concept comes across as a short, stout, bad-to-the-bone vehicle. Ford has kept to the theme of original designs cues true to form, but the clean and simple design is advanced to today's modern style. Thus, similar features such as the bulging, curving hood and fenders, vertical-mount bumpers and bubbled rear end have been kept intact. Other minor details such as the tiny circular taillights, as well as the metal rollover hoops, also made the transition.