What is it?
2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra
What's special about it?
Municipalities wanting to pad their coffers with extra speeding tickets take note: For 2003, Ford will offer the 390-hp SVT Mustang Cobra, one of the fastest production Mustangs ever to hit a dealership.
Sorry, Camaro fans, but there is no typographical error here. This is a modern, feature-laden and smog-legal Mustang making 390 hp at 6,000 rpm and 390 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. These numbers are possible thanks to the work of SVT, Ford's in-house tuning division.
Though the '03 Cobra has a 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 like previous Cobras, most of the components are different. SVT has bolted on an Eaton Roots-type supercharger, a water-to-air intercooler, new aluminum cylinder heads and revised intake manifolds. To help bolster the engine, the block is iron, not aluminum, and stronger pistons and connecting rods have been fitted. Other changes include an aluminum flywheel and a stronger clutch. A six-speed manual transmission and an aluminum driveshaft transfer the engine's power to the rear wheels.
The SVT Mustang Cobra's independent rear suspension receives upgraded bushings and an additional tubular cross brace for 2003. In a departure from past practice, the coupe and convertible receive their own individual suspension tuning to suit their body characteristics. Compared an '01 Cobra, the coupe has stiffer springs, firmer Bilstein dampers and a thicker front antiroll bar. The five-spoke aluminum wheels are a new design and measure 17x9 inches. They are fitted with 275/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Even the rack-and-pinion steering system has been modified in the hopes of improving steering feel and reducing play.
To identify an '03 Cobra, look for the new front fascia, the reverse hood scoops, reshaped rocker panels and integrated rear spoiler with an LED third brake light. Convertibles have a new higher-quality top. Inside, the Cobra has new bucket seats, Nudo leather (not to be confused with Menudo), suede inserts and racer-style metal pedals.
Why should you care?
Hot rodders have been supercharging the current Mustang with great success (the Saleen 281, for example). Now Ford has gone the supercharger route with the '03 Cobra. One big advantage is that it's backed by a factory warranty, something the rare 385-hp 2000 SVT Cobra R lacked. The '03 should also be cheaper (around $35,000) and much easier to get a hold of than one of the 300 or so '00 Cobra Rs sold. About the only concern is weight; the coupe weighs 3,665 pounds, and the convertible is 3,780 pounds.
But where else are you going to go for this much power? General Motors has ended production of the Camaro and Firebird for 2003 and offered no concrete information as to when they might return. Ford, meanwhile, has whipped up its fastest Cobra ever. The pony car war is over. Ford won. — Brent Romans
2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra
What's special about it?
Municipalities wanting to pad their coffers with extra speeding tickets take note: For 2003, Ford will offer the 390-hp SVT Mustang Cobra, one of the fastest production Mustangs ever to hit a dealership.
Sorry, Camaro fans, but there is no typographical error here. This is a modern, feature-laden and smog-legal Mustang making 390 hp at 6,000 rpm and 390 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. These numbers are possible thanks to the work of SVT, Ford's in-house tuning division.
Though the '03 Cobra has a 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 like previous Cobras, most of the components are different. SVT has bolted on an Eaton Roots-type supercharger, a water-to-air intercooler, new aluminum cylinder heads and revised intake manifolds. To help bolster the engine, the block is iron, not aluminum, and stronger pistons and connecting rods have been fitted. Other changes include an aluminum flywheel and a stronger clutch. A six-speed manual transmission and an aluminum driveshaft transfer the engine's power to the rear wheels.
The SVT Mustang Cobra's independent rear suspension receives upgraded bushings and an additional tubular cross brace for 2003. In a departure from past practice, the coupe and convertible receive their own individual suspension tuning to suit their body characteristics. Compared an '01 Cobra, the coupe has stiffer springs, firmer Bilstein dampers and a thicker front antiroll bar. The five-spoke aluminum wheels are a new design and measure 17x9 inches. They are fitted with 275/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Even the rack-and-pinion steering system has been modified in the hopes of improving steering feel and reducing play.
To identify an '03 Cobra, look for the new front fascia, the reverse hood scoops, reshaped rocker panels and integrated rear spoiler with an LED third brake light. Convertibles have a new higher-quality top. Inside, the Cobra has new bucket seats, Nudo leather (not to be confused with Menudo), suede inserts and racer-style metal pedals.
Why should you care?
Hot rodders have been supercharging the current Mustang with great success (the Saleen 281, for example). Now Ford has gone the supercharger route with the '03 Cobra. One big advantage is that it's backed by a factory warranty, something the rare 385-hp 2000 SVT Cobra R lacked. The '03 should also be cheaper (around $35,000) and much easier to get a hold of than one of the 300 or so '00 Cobra Rs sold. About the only concern is weight; the coupe weighs 3,665 pounds, and the convertible is 3,780 pounds.
But where else are you going to go for this much power? General Motors has ended production of the Camaro and Firebird for 2003 and offered no concrete information as to when they might return. Ford, meanwhile, has whipped up its fastest Cobra ever. The pony car war is over. Ford won. — Brent Romans
Add A Comment »