New Ford Cobra...whatta ya think?

[JWheaton]

The car could use some more long curves. In my opinion it does not need a whole lot to be an attractive 2 seat roadster.

If you look at the competition it has, the Viper, Corvette and both of those are a bit more upscale with at least roofs, the Audi TT, SLK, you get the idea, it is a nice alternative. I doubt that we will see 600 bhp from a factory to dealer car. Unless it has traction controls up the ying yang.

I do not see this competing with the Repilica market.

[REDSC400]

If you cannot get to the show... here is the press kit on ebay for the new Cobra.... Some pics of the brochure and car too...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=14046

BTW: I have nothing to do with this item on eBay...

[Fox]

The first time I saw a 60's Cobra it made a lasting impression on me, I mean from moment one. I knew I wanted one then and there.

This car does not grab me. I'm not saying it won't warm on me with time, I am just saying it is not the same gut reaction.

I am in no hurry to get in line...for me, not any different than a half a dozen other cars that are out or in concept.

-John

[RACER X #99]

The new Vettes don't look like the Vettes from the 50's-60's yet GM still sells a lot of them.

Ford guys will buy anthing, and if Shelby has his name on it guys will stand in line for hours holding their d _ _ _ s, or parts from their car for him to sign.

[James Baldwin]

It looks as if Chris Bangle (new BMW designer) got ahold of it... very disappointing looks but great engine potential.

[sgianino]

When you see what Ford did with the new GT40 you would expect the same from the remake of the Cobra.The new GT40 even though not correct in all details is still one nice looking car, i would be curious to know if the same team worked on the desighn of this vehicle and if not maby they should have.

SG

[BANDIT 1]

It is hideous looking, it's the "Pontiac Aztec" of the Ford line! The Mazda Miata is very "rounded", why is it that they had to "box" the Cobra in? I see only about 25% of the car that can be used. As they did with the GT, LEAVE THE COBRA LOOKING LIKE A COBRA.....Duh...

[sierramadre45]

I think DV has it right. It's the best of both worlds. I like it a lot. If goes into production and is priced right, my Superformance will be gone.

[bmalone]

Time maches on... Time waits for no man.....

No, sorry, it is not by any stretch a "classic," from either a starkly elegant standpoint, or a visually menacing standpoint.

[tainoart]

I applaud the effort of the Ford Design Team on the new Cobra. Having said that I think Ford is missing a very important part of evolution, 40 years of new technology and design development world wide.

A retro, if that is Ford's purpose, needs to be more in keeping with the old 1960's Cobra image. Come on Ford Ford, you missed the mark, badly, if retro is your intent.

On the other hand if Ford's intent is to show a modern evolution of the old they are missing 40 years of evolution. There is simply too weak of an effort in this intent as well.

Come on Ford, you can do better than that. Ford has, in this instance acted as if time stood still and designed this car in a vacuum. And what is the Carrol Shelby connection here? Just the name I presume, because I will tell you he did not influence this design. Maybe just the grille. He is just applading Ford's futile attempt to recapture a past success just as they did with the T-Bird. Go back to the drawing board, or better yet to the computer. (40 years strong)

Just my two cents.

[Cal Metal]

Looks like a "warmed over" Series 1. I'll pass.

[Dan Semko]

I have to agree with Cal. The square billet everything deviates too far from the sensuous curves of the originals. The Honda S2000 doesn't have the 600 hp but similar lines, a similar red line, better appeal with ample pocket change to buy and enjoy a "replica" if this car tops the $60-70k mark.

[Wild Thing]

When I saw my first cobra 25 or so years ago, it hit me like I put my finger in a plug (and we have 220 V over here), and I developped an uncontrollable urge to posess one. Didn't happen this time. Sure its a nice car, with all the modern gimmicks, but if this thing pulls in a parking lot together with a cobra, guess where the eyes are?

BTW: in the poll there's only love it / hate it. I would prefer a button "don't care".

[forrest1]

As said above, it looks like a Nissan or Audi with some "Cobra-inspired" ques. Nearly all the sensuous curves of the original are gone, and replaced with flat surfaces. YUCCHH!

Forrest

[Richard Hudgins]

Folks,

I am not going to comment on the body styling.

But, where did they get the "Light weight" bit from?

3000 lbs is not what I would call "Light weight."

But the car may need to weigh this much to meet crash standards and the NVH boys always pile on a bunch of sound deadening material.

[TerribleTed13]

Doir55 is right,
What do you get when you cross a Cobra with a new "Z"?
"Fugly"

[Excaliber]

ComputerWorks identified the major styling cues which could stand some "re-working". Fender bulge and door design. To that I would add: The nose opening. It's got to be more oval, NOT flat on the bottom.

Suspension? As the pictures show for the front, double A arms with coil overs, a classic Cobra setup. The rear, being borrowed from the GT-40 and incorporating the same tansmission I would assume to be the same suspension.

Performance should be excellent. The new styling appears to have addressed the original Cobras biggest drawback:
Aerodynamics!

Ernie

[flipper35]

Looks like the bastard child of the '05 Mustang and an audi TT. Just my opijnion.

Saw the new GT in Sand Diego. THAT is a nice looking car.

[clayfoushee]

Although the poll is a little weighted toward the negative, I'm in the "needs a major rework" camp. I think Computerworks and other's captured my feelings about the design perfectly, in noting that it's lost the "voluptuousness" high "hippy" (not to be confused with 60's flower children) look.

It's not a bad looking car at all....quite the contrary! I like a lot of contemporary car designs, but in a "Cobra" I want to see curves and buldges. Maybe they should rename it "Anaconda" or "Gila Monster" or something else reptilian.

[CowtownCobra]

Originally posted by clayfoushee


Maybe they should rename it "Anaconda" or "Gila Monster" or something else reptilian.

How about Gecko

: any of numerous small harmless chiefly tropical and nocturnal insectivorous lizards.