Ford Shelby Cobra Concept

The front of the Shelby Cobra concept.

The rear of the Shelby Cobra concept.

The Shelby Cobra concept features an all-aluminium, V10 engine, displacing 6.4 L (390 cu in). It is capable of producing 645 hp (481 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 501 ft⋅lbf (679 N⋅m) of torque at 5,500 rpm, making it one of the most powerful engines built by Ford. The engine red-lines at 6,800 rpm, and Ford claims it is capable of reaching 207 miles per hour (333 km/h), though the car is reportedly electronically limited to only 100 mph (160 km/h).

The double overhead cam cylinder heads and cylinders are fed by port fuel injection and racing-derived velocity stacks that are just visible within the hood scoop. For a low hood line, the throttles are a slide-plate design. The lubrication system is the dry-sump type, which relocates oil from underneath the engine to a remote tank.

The chassis of the Shelby Cobra concept was based on an aluminium chassis used on the GT production car, and modified to suit the concept car's front-mid engine placement. In fact, many parts of the GT were adapted for use in the Cobra, such as the suspension, several components of the frame, and the mounting brackets for the transmission (which is placed in the rear on the Cobra). Despite sharing large portions of its chassis with the Ford GT, the Shelby Cobra concept is almost 2 feet (0.61 m) shorter overall and has a wheelbase 7 inches (180 mm) shorter than the GT.

Although the Shelby Cobra concept was aimed to reflect the design of the AC Cobra, the concept is dimensionally very different from the original. However, the design includes many common external features, such as a large grille opening, side vents, and large wheel arches. In line with Carroll Shelby's designs, the concept has a very minimalist look, which is continued in the interior. The concept omits many features common in modern cars, such as air conditioning and a radio. The placement of the transmission in the rear allowed for the driver and passenger seats to be placed closer together, adding to the compactness of the Cobra.