How the Cobra's 90-in wheelbase compares to cars of today...
 

One of the things that makes our beloved, high-powered Cobras so exciting -- and so potentially dangerous -- to drive is its incredibly short wheelbase of only 90 inches.

This got me thinking: What other cars on the market today have a wheelbase of 90 inches or less?

So I pulled out my product guide from the 2011 Canadian auto show and did a quick comparison of the Cobra vs 2011 model production vehicles (see below).

As it currently stands, there is only one car with a wheelbase shorter than the Cobra's: the tiny smart forTwo. Not even the little Fiat 500's is shorter ...although it's in the ballpark.

Cobra vs 2011 cars/trucks, wheelbase in inches

73.5 smart forTwo
90.0 Shelby Cobra
90.5 Lotus Elise
90.6 Fiat 500
91.7 Mazda MX-5 Miata
92.5 Porsche 911
92.6 Tesla Roadster
95.1 Porsche Boxster / Cayman
95.4 Jeep Wrangler
95.7 Mercedes-Benz SLK
95.9 Honda CR-Z
96.9 Toyota Yaris hatchback
97.1 MINI Cooper
97.2 Audi TT
97.6 Chevrolet Aveo
98.0 Ford Fiesta / Mazda2
98.4 Honda Fit
98.4 Hyundai Accent / Kia Rio
100.4 Nissan 370Z
105.7 Chevrolet Corvette

The cleverly packaged Scion iQ has a wheelbase of only 78.7 inches, but since its launch has been delayed to summer 2011, I didn't include it in the list above.

And with the exception of the Porsche, the 370Z, and the Corvette, you could take any 3 or four of the remaining cars and combine their HP ratings and still not equal what most of us have in our Cobra's.

I would have thought a couple of those would be closer, if not shorter.

Brian,
You never cease to amaze me :) What about the Yaris? I believe it's a Toyota?

The wife has a Yaris, wow...96.9". Never would have guessed

And the Toyota Yaris sedan (4-door) is even longer at 100.4 inches ...the same as the Nissan 370Z. Whodathunkit?

Very interesting thread! I've wondered about this myself.

Look's like that dumb "Smart" car stands alone as the one and only!

Ford Pinto, 94 inches (by the way).

My 1966 Griffith 400 with 271HP 289 engine had a wheelbase of 88.5" and 15x185 mm tires. That was a real challange to keep straight. Jim

nice thread
since i'm thinking to extend wheelbase of my scratch builds (from #4) to 92.5".
2 days ago, i've to brake hard because of reckless driver.
Extending wheelbase will improve handling stability.

Cool comparo, thanks!

I have my Cobra and Lotus Elise in the garage right now and they are pretty close to the same size, although the Elise is at least somewhere between 6"-12" wider (even though the Cobra has much wider tires). The Cobra is probably 6" or so longer too. Amazing they are practically the same size, if you look at them from a few feet away they look pretty damn close. Of course an Elise from the Cobra era would be pretty tiny I think!

My daily driver 997 looks like an SUV next to the Cobra :-) Don't get me wrong, I love the 997, it's just funny how huge a modern sports car looks next to the Cobra. I wonder what the wheelbase and overall size is on the venerable 2.7 RS 911 from back in the day - a friend built himself a replica, I'll have to park next to it and see.

From the chart, I'm actually surprised how much longer the Cayman wheelbase is compared to the 911, and that the Tesla wheelbase is stretched out a couple inches over the Lotus.

But back to Cobras - those "Elise-like" dimensions are a good idea for handling - I've got 17" Michelins on my SPF and my builder worked wonders dialing in the feel - I'm amazed how nicely it handles, and considering it has 275s in the front it still has great steering feel. I just wish I had the skill to go with it!

-- Gordie

1990-2005 Miata 89.2 inches

Emerson Cobra 94.5

94.50 Ferrari 250 GT SWB (short wheel base)
98.40 Ferrari 550
96.40 Bizzarini Strada 5300
106.0 Panoz Esperante
104.5 Panoz AIV
88.00 Lotus Super 7
84.00 Lotus Elan
98.00 Lotus Europa
105.0 Riley MKII Hunter
92.50 Alfa Tipo 33 Stradale

Note: all are front engine except Alfa and Europa