A few days ago I had a visitor to this site
ask for some
info on the 99 SVT Cobra. So I decided to put some info up
about it so everyone can see.
Close on the heels of the record-setting blizzard that hit Detroit in January came record-setting highway potholes that proved a tough test for the Cobra's new independent rear suspension. On previous Mustangs, crank in the slightest bit of steering input, then hit a pothole, and take bets on how far the rear end would jump out. Not so on the Cobra -- hit the same pothole, and the rear end follows the tracks left by the front wheels. Although sprung stiffly enough to corner crisply, the ride is still more than tolerable on rough roads -- this is a car we could happily live with as a daily driver. Well done, SVT. -- Steven Cole Smith |
| Owing to its independent rear suspension and other
upgrades, this Cobra is the most sophisticated production Mustang ever, and it should
continue Ford's sales thrashing of GM's F-cars. But there's a hollow sound to the thumping
of this drum, as we wonder if this technology has reached its highest level just as demand
for it declines. Ford may soon move the Mustang to some new platform that will bear the
name but little else, meaning the next generation could be front-wheel drive and more
tuned to fuel economy than making throaty V-8 noises. If you've dreamed of owning a hot
new Mustang, this is it, although it may also be the last. -- Alexander Law |
| The enhanced thrust of the 4.6-liter V-8 is addictive, and
the new independent rear suspension does a much better job of keeping the drive wheels in
continuous contact with the pavement than the old live axle, which means the rear end
contributes no more than its fair share to the steering on bumpy roads. The ride quality
is better, too. But let's hold the hosannas. Ford and GM have been fooling around with
pony-car IRS setups for a long time, and it's taken this long for someone to step up to a
feature that should have been installed decades ago. Now, if Ford packages its IRS
hardware as an affordable retrofit kit for Mustang owners, that will rate some cheers. -- Tony Swan |
| ENGINE | |
| Configuration | Longitudinally mounted, 90-degree V8, cast aluminum block and heads, iron cylinder liners, fully counterweighted forged crankshaft |
| Bore x Stroke | 90.2 x 90.0mm |
| Displacement | 4,601cc/280cid |
| Compression ratio | 9.85:1 |
| Horsepower | 320 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 317 lb./ft @ 4,750 rpm |
| Redline | 6,800 rpm (fuel shut-off occurs at 7,000 rpm) |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshafts, chain drive to exhaust cams, secondary chains from exhaust to intake cams, roller finger followers with hydraulic lash adjustment, oval-wire beehive-shaped valve springs, four valves per cylinder |
| Intake valves | 2 per cylinder, 37mm head diameter |
| Exhaust valves | 2 per cylinder, 30mm head diameter |
| Ignition system | Distributorless coil-on-plug |
| Fuel system | Sequential electronic fuel injection |
| Intake manifold | Cast aluminum, tuned equal length runners |
| Throttle body | 57mm twin bore |
| Mass-air sensor | 80mm diameter |
| Exhaust manifolds | Cast iron |
| Exhaust system | Dual, stainless steel, 2.25-inch diameter, 3.0-inch polished exhaust tips |
| DRIVETRAIN | |
| Rear axle | 8.8 in. ring gear with 3.27:1 limited-slip differential, aluminum case |
| Driveshaft | Steel, with hardened yoke |
| Transmission | TremecTM T45 5-speed manual |
| Clutch | 11.0 in. single-plate |
| Gear | Ratio | Speed |
| 1st | 3.37 | 45 mph (72 kph) |
| 2nd | 1.99 | 77 (124) |
| 3rd | 1.33 | 115 (185) |
| 4th | 1.00 | 150 (241) |
| 5th | 0.67 | |
| Reverse | 3.22 | |
| Final drive | 3.27 |
| TRACTION CONTROL |
| Accomplished by engine ignition timing, cylinder cut-off, brake application. Linked to ABS module and engine control module. Driver-controlled on-off switch |
| SUSPENSION | |
| Front | Modified gas-charged MacPherson strut, with separate 500 lb./in spring on lower arm, 28mm tubular stabilizer bar |
| Rear | Multi-link independent, steel upper control arm, aluminum lower control arm, fixed toe-control tie rod, aluminum spindle, gas-charged tubular shock absorber, 470 lb./in coil spring, 26mm tubular stabilizer bar |
| STEERING | |
| Type | Rack and pinion, power assist |
| Gear ratio | 15.0:1 |
| Turns, lock to lock | 2.5 |
| Turning diameter | 37.9 ft. |
| BRAKES | |
| Front | 13.0 in. (330mm) vented Brembo, disc, PBR twin-piston caliper |
| Rear | 11.65 in. (296mm) vented disc, single-piston caliper |
| ABS | Four channel, four sensor system. Linked to all-speed traction control |
| WHEELS & TIRES | |
| Wheels | 17 x 8 in., five spoke, forged aluminum-alloy, painted surface, exposed lugs |
| Tires | BFGoodrich®, Comp T/A, 245/45ZR-17 |
| COBRA INCLUDES |
| Supplemental restraint
system: driver and passenger airbags. Independent rear suspension (IRS) Anti-lock brake system (ABS) All-speed traction control SecuriLockTM passive anti-theft system Articulated front sport seats (standard six-way power for driver) with leather seating surfaces and power lumbar support Tilt steering wheel MACH 460®, electronic AM/FM stereo cassette and CD player Power Equipment Group: Dual electric remote control mirrors, power side windows, power door locks, power deck lid release Rear window defroster Air-conditioning (manual control) Speed control Front floor mats Dual illuminated visor mirrors Remote keyless illuminated entry |
| COLOR & TRIM | |
| Exterior | Ultra White Clearcoat, Ebony Clearcoat, Rio Red Tinted Clearcoat, Electric Green Clearcoat Metallic |
| Interior | Dark Charcoal, Medium Parchment |
| DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES | |
| Wheelbase | 101.3 in./2,573mm |
| Length | 183.5 in./4,661mm |
| Height | 53.2 in. (53.5in.)/1,351mm (1,359mm) |
| Width | 73.1 in./1,857mm |
| Track, F/R | 59.9 in.; 59.9 in./1,521mm; 1,521mm |
| Head room, F/R | 38.1 in.; 35.5 in./968mm; 901mm |
| Leg room, F/R | 41.8 in./29.9; 1,062mm/759mm |
| Curb weight | 3,430 lbs. (3,560 lbs.)/ 1,557 kg (1,617 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 15.7 gal./59.4 liters |
| Weight Distribution | 55.55/44.55 (f/r) |
| (Numbers in parentheses are for Convertible) | |
| PERFORMANCE | |
| 0-60 mph | 5.4 seconds |
| 0-100 kph | 5.6 seconds |
| Quarter mile | 13.8 seconds @ 102 mph |
| Top speed | 150 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 127 ft. |
| 100 ft. skidpad | 0.90g |
| Pricing | base Ford SVT Mustang Cobra (including $535 freight), $27,995; rear deck spoiler, $195 |