So much for rumors :).
The press for release for the Adrenaline at the NYIAS states it will go
on sale at the same time as the GT500:
http://www.muscularmustangs.com/2005/news0001cobra.php
Furthermore, Motor Trend for May has a full spread on the car with
pictures. I quote from the article:
"Shelby Cobra GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter DOHC V-8 produces over 450
hp
Just as the original Shelby GT500 was the "step up" to big-block power
from the GT350, the new Ford Shelby Cobra GT500 steps up to Ford's
5.4-liter "MOD" V-8. The result? The GT500 is the most powerful factory
Mustang ever. Its supercharged 5.4-liter, 32-valve V-8 evolves from
SVT's experience with supercharging the "MOD" engine to deliver more
than 450 horsepower and 450 foot-pounds of torque.
The cast-iron-block, four-valve engine is force-fed an air-and-fuel
mixture via a screw-type supercharger at 8.5 pounds per square inch of
boost. Aluminum cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings sourced from
the Ford GT program bring a high level of proven durability to the
drivetrain, while upgraded cooling components promise longevity.
"Powered by SVT" camshaft covers are the finishing touch to the engine.
This version of the 5.4-liter V-8 has a higher horsepower rating than
any other factory Mustang in history," says Jay O'Connell, SVT chief
vehicle engineer. "It really delivers on the essence of two great names
in Ford performance - a mix of SVT's modern-day experience with
supercharging and the Shelby GT500's heritage of big-block power.
The engine has been further tuned from its first application in a
Mustang, the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R, a limited edition model of 300
units.
Helping to put the power of the GT500's supercharged V-8 to the
pavement is a T-56 six-speed manual gearbox. The evenly spaced gears
mean less stirring is needed to find the "sweet spot" in keeping the
revs "on cam" for power to pass, while at the same time making the most
of the engine's broad torque curve. The heavy-duty transmission has
proven itself a willing companion to V-8 power in Mustangs in both road
and track environments, including the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R, 2004
SVT Mustang Cobra and the new race-winning Ford Racing Mustang FR500C.
Great power requires great control
The great Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s were anything but one-trick
ponies. They earned their stripes on twisty roads and race tracks
across America and Europe. The Shelby Cobra GT500 show car continues
that legacy of all-around performance.
The GT500 starts with the solid 2005 Mustang underpinnings. The all-new
Mustang's platform was designed from the beginning with performance
derivatives in mind, providing an exceptionally rigid, well-engineered
starting point for SVT chassis engineers.
Using real-world experience gained during more than 12 years of
building great-handling SVT Mustang Cobras, SVT engineers retune and
upgrade key chassis components. Improvements such as revised shocks,
spring rates and upgraded stabilizer bars help the GT500 stop and turn
with the same authority as it goes.
The GT500 features a MacPherson strut independent front suspension with
"Reverse L" lower control arms, and a solid-axle, three-link rear
suspension with coil springs and a Panhard rod for precise control of
the rear axle.
This rear suspension design has been validated on the track by Ford
Racing. The race-prepared Ford Racing Mustang FR500C was purpose-built
from the base 2005 Mustang body structure and suspension geometry to
run in the Grand-Am Cup series, a class of road racing for
production-based cars. Competing against the best from Germany and
Japan, a Mustang FR500C competed in and won its first ever race in the
season-opener at Daytona International Speedway in February 2005.
SVT and Ford Racing will be working closer than ever as we go forward
on future projects, especially Mustangs," says Thai-Tang, a Ford Racing
alumnus who served as the race engineer for the Newman-Haas Racing team
in 1993. "The Mustang FR500C racing program is an exact demonstration
of the capability we engineered into the mainstream Mustang to be
capable of. Now, we have both a Daytona victory and the return of the
Shelby Cobra GT500 to showcase Mustang performance possibilities.
To match this power and handling ability, SVT fitted some of the
biggest brakes in the business to the GT500. Fourteen-inch
cross-drilled Brembo rotors up front and 13-inch discs in the rear
continue SVT's legacy of great-braking Mustangs. Secure footing is
provided by 19-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance tires."
So, two SVT products upcoming :).
Time to upgrade mine so I can keep the GT500 boys humble for a years or
so ;).
Dan
2003 Cobra convertible
With some stuff and things