Shelby Cobra concept

Cap'n Jack

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Source: Ford Motor Company

Overview

The new Ford Shelby Cobra concept marks the latest step in an exciting evolution of Ford concept vehicles, with an evocative design, bonafide performance credentials and – thanks to engineering as nimble and efficient as a sports car – a level of feasibility that is already close to production-level.

Like the 2002 Ford GT40 concept, the Ford Shelby Cobra draws on Ford’s emotional and performance roots in a thoroughly modern interpretation that reinforces the company’s product-led momentum. It takes its place with the 2005 Ford Mustang, Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle crossover in the "Year of the Car," the largest new-product barrage in Ford’s history.

"Our lineup of new 2005 cars is all about momentum," said Jim Padilla, executive vice president and president of the Americas, Ford Motor Company. "But the Ford Shelby Cobra concept is all about speed."

The Ford Shelby Cobra’s design reinforces this mission, with minimalist interior and exterior elements that emphasize its performance-oriented function. Cues like the massive grille opening, side vents, low-back seats and bulging wheel arches establish an emotional connection with Carroll Shelby’s original 1960s Cobras, but no dimensions or proportions are copied in this thoroughly modern two-seater.

There are pictures and more info about it here :)

Personaly, I like the older one better than this one, but it's still nice.:)
 
I like it more in those pictures than in one I saw a while ago. There is so much resistance to Ford's new concepts. I guess that's predictable. It's looking like Ford is taking the lead seat in design lately, and I like it.
 
"We let the powertrain, the space frame and the suspension dictate the architecture for the body," said Richard Hutting, chief designer. "The result was a very authentic, modern and desirable shape that does justice to the original Shelby Cobra, but doesn’t share a single dimension or proportion with it."
Bastardized? Maybe you ought to say that to Carroll Shelby.
 
That intake setup is just :eek: . Any info on the engine? Its appears to be a naturally aspirated cammer setup, but is it based off the modular series? And displacement? (It should be a 427 :) ). As for the styling, I like the gereral directiont that "new edge" ford (or whatever they are calling it) is taking.
 
Well I think it is one of the best looking modern concepts... especially from american companies. However, you will never be able to recreate the cobras of old....
 
I hate it, but each to his own, the engine sounds impresive though, I don't know the figures off the top of my head but they're high. As for the design, why would Carrol Shelby liking it make it a good design, it's not like he designed the Cobra.
 
Well, I gotta say that it's a great idea, and they've really made a nice car. But it doesn't have the same feel as the old Cobra. The old one had more curves than most any car out there. This one just looks too...flat, and a bit too much like the new Viper, except smaller. Personally, I think it should be more like a Miata with the lines of a Stingray Vette. But, it's still a great idea, and a great looking car, and I certainly wouldn't mind having one ;)
 
as a performance rear wheel drive with a V10 nice!, but i dont like it as a cobra. the original cobra was a race car, but this is just a road car not based off any race cars
 
If they want a true successor to the Cobra it needs to be built by AC anyway, the Cobra was, is and always will be an AC. Shelby just put bigger engines in them with the exeption of the 427 which required chassis modifications and slightly different body panels. Having Ford or Shelby majke the next Cobra is like Hamann making the next BMW M3.
 
Should have been a V8 for retro reasons, but i wouldn't turn down a V10. Bodywork is ok when you think who designed it (j. Mays) I think he got lessons from Chris Bangle :lol:
 
Okay, you may know that I usually bash on some American cars. But to me, I'm handing respect to Ford for bringing back not one, but two classics: the Ford GT40 (now the GT), and the Shelby Cobra. Now I had a chance to see the Cobra concept car on TLC (The Learning Channel) show called "Rides." I have to tell you. With all due respect to the classic Cobras, this new Cobra is very passable in today's post-modern world. I don't really think this car has been killed in any way. Only thing is that I wished the concept model was in my favorite Cobra colors: blue with white stripes. And who knows? Maybe it will go into production. Maybe it will be in GT4. But I think the Cobra is passable in today's society. I haven't heard anyone knock on the car until now.
 
My main concern is that Ford is building it, and Shelby gacve the nod for the design, neither had anthing to do with the original, the original was an AC, t's only after when Shelby started putting Ford engines in they were sold in the US as Shelby Cobra's. If they wan't a true Cobra successor, it has to be built and designed by AC, and it has to be built in Britain like every Cobra is, the Shelby one's are just shipped to the US without an engine. And as I said before, I'm not too keen on the looks.
 
This being the one with the 605bhp 6.4 V10? That concept looks absolutely cool. Shame about the tiny taillights though. Nice front end, with the round headlights, bonnet scoop thing and big gaping mouth in the bumper.
 
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