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2000 Ford SVT Cobra R Concept
Unveiled at Charlotte
 
"The Fastest Production Ford Ever Built"
-- John Coletti, Ford SVE
at a media luncheon held at
the 14th Annual Fabulous Fords Forever at Knott's Berry Farm, April 18, 1999.

 


   

2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R Prototype Unveiled

 

2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R

CONCORD, N.C., April 17, 1999 -- A prototype version of the 2000 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R was revealed today at Charlotte Motor Speedway, during the Mustang Club of America’s 35th Anniversary celebration for the Ford Mustang. Tom Scarpello, Specialty Vehicle marketing manager, took the wraps off a "Grabber Orange" Cobra R at the show, which is expected to draw more than 30,000 Mustang fanatics this weekend.

"I can’t think of a better place to provide a sneak preview of the new SVT Mustang Cobra R -- at a world class racing facility in front of thousands of enthusiastic Mustang lovers," said Scarpello. "The 2000 Cobra R will be the fastest production Mustang in its 35-year history."

Built with the race track in mind, the Cobra R will feature a modular V-8 engine, solidifying this family of engines as the high-performance benchmark in Ford’s lineup. The new Cobra R features exterior enhancements that will boost performance on the race track, including a front air-splitter and tall rear deck spoiler, which will create downforce for increased stability at track speeds.

Other differences unique to the Cobra R include the "power dome" hood with a rear air extractor for improved engine cooling, 18-inch wheels shod with BFGoodrich g-Force KD tires, and a lowered suspension for enhanced handling. Cobra R’s interior changes include the addition of Recaro sport seats, and the removal of the radio, air-conditioner and back seat to save weight. A number of other well-respected performance parts suppliers are working with SVT in the development of the Cobra R, including Brembo for brake rotors and calipers, Tremec for the transmission, Eibach and Bilstein for suspension, and Borla for the exhaust.

There will be a limited production of only 300 Cobra R models built on the same line of the Dearborn Assembly Plant which produces the V6, GT, and Cobra Mustangs. The 2000 model will be the third generation of the Cobra R, following the successful and still sought-after 1993 and 1995 Cobra R models.

The debut Cobra R, the 1993 model, was introduced as a competition package, and included unique wheels, suspension and cooling upgrades, chassis bracing and a higher-output version of the 5.0L HO V-8 engine found in the ‘93 Cobra. Just 107 ‘93 Cobra Rs were produced.

The 1995 Cobra R (250 produced) was also a competition package, and featured a higher-output version of the 5.8 Windsor V-8 engine, an upgraded cooling system, the Tremec 5-speed transmission, unique suspension tuning and 17 x 9-inch wheels.

Expected production date is January, 2000.

 
 
 The following images are from the Ford Motor Company Photo Archives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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