By: Dave Abrahams
Las Vegas, Nevada - The competition department at the Flat Rock, Michigan works is called Ford Performance, and you better believe it.
This is their new baby, premiering at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas: the 2016 Ford Cobra Jet, a factory-built drag racer that's eligible for the National Hot Rod Association Stock and Super Stock series, as well as several classes in the International Hot Rod Association.
And, like its predecessors, production of the new Cobra Jet will be limited to just 50 units. It's also the first new-generation Pony Car with a solid rear axle - independent rear suspension, the big selling point of the 2016 Mustang, doesn't work for top-level dragsters.
The Cobra Jet engine is made up of mostly production Mustang GT components, topped by a front-intake Whipple supercharger; Ford claims it's capable of eight-second quarter miles straight out of the box.
THE RIGHT STUFF
Using mostly stock parts wherever possible makes it more durable - and easier to look after - but all the right stuff is there as standard, including special drag-racing coil-over shocks and springs, lightweight racing brakes by Strange Engineering, an 8.50-certified roll cage, an Aeromotive fuel system with it's fuel cell in the boot,FIA-certified Corbeau racing seats, five-point race harnesses and race-prepped automatic transmission.
The Cobra Jet engine also has an electric water pump from the C-Max hybrid that allows for cooling without the engine running.
Production has already begun at Flat Rock, with delivery expected during the first quarter of 2016.
The Cobra Jet is not, repeat not, street legal; it doesn't have a VIN so it's sold as a performance accessory. Place your order for part number M-FR500-CJ at your Ford dealer - but be prepared to cough up $99 990 (R1.4 million) when it arrives, not including the go-fast graphic or the wheelie bar, which will cost you an extra $1995 (R27 800) each.
And there are a lot more go-fast parts available to order from the Ford Performance catalogue.
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