Rendered Speculation: Cobra Venom
click the picture for a hi-res gallery of the Cobra Venom V8
The Cobra formula was simple: small British roadster + American V8 drivetrain = racing success. Early Cobras sought balance by utilizing Ford's modest 260 cubic-inch small block V8, but all Hell broke loose when a hairy-chested 427 cubic inch FE big block was installed. As a piece of history, and an exciting way to tickle your adrenal gland, the Cobra is legendary. The perennial practice of plucking a significant car from the 1960s and rehashing it, rather than coming up with something entirely new, has struck again, and now it looks like a new spin on the Cobra might be coming. The Cobra Venom V8 will undoubtedly be more refined than the visceral glory of the original Shelby vehicles, and while the concept images show a derivative car, it's still good looking; classic proportions never go out of style
A supercharged Ford modular V8 spinning out 524 horsepower is the intended power source, squirting the aluminum and carbon fiber coupe around with authority. 0-62 will come up in 3.4 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 214 mph. While the concept renderings look good and the specs sound impressive, we're not sure whether this vehicle exists beyond its concept renderings. If it ever does see the light of day, we'll be sure to climb in, fasten the harness and put on our helmet before complaining that it's really time to move on from the 60s. Then we'll attempt to tear up some track, Shelby style.
Gallery: Cobra Venom V8
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MemphisNET 7:34PM (6/25/2008)
Who exactly made this? Ford Concept? In-house Shelby?
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geo.stewart 8:16PM (6/25/2008)
looks better than the Ford in-house version the other year. retains that visceral look.
as for source: Jamie Frank Martin in the UK. looks like nothing more than a design study.
dwightB 7:37PM (6/25/2008)
Ha, NO!!!
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Dasupersprint 6:36PM (7/30/2008)
Is it me or the Cobra already been reborn with 1st: Dodge Viper and 2nd: Shelby Series 1?
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CORVETTE ZR1 8:08PM (6/25/2008)
And The Shelby Cobra Concept. (they should make it.. ) But.. This Design is Very Interesting.
Clancy 8:14PM (6/25/2008)
Where do I sign? Will they take a kidney?
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mk 9:01PM (6/25/2008)
yippeeeee...
more unoriginal vaporware.
I appreciate the skill at rendering this, but in an automotive sense, this is certainly not as groundbreaking as the original Cobra was. Just another copy of 40 year old design.
Sorry, but seventh verse, same as the first. Aside from the fact that this will probably never materialize into a real thing.
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Justin 8:51PM (6/25/2008)
Although Ford's blown Modulars sound absolutely awesome, I'd like to see a lighter v8 in there, like a GM ls7. Still very badass
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stonecoldcleric 9:19PM (6/25/2008)
A GM engine in a cobra? r u an idiot?
JF 9:46PM (6/25/2008)
r u a smartass? If its not made or designed by Ford or Shelby, then we're not violating any muscle car laws.
Chris 8:15AM (6/26/2008)
while i understand what you guys are saying about how its font a Ford or Shelby product, it still just wouldnt be right to stick anything other then a ford motor in it....and this is coming from a GM fan.
Anyway, theres just something about the 3/4 view that i just dont like..it almost looks like the rear end from the rear of the side door back was just stuck on....it just doesnt fit the car.
Hmmmm....just not sure about this one
stonecoldcleric 9:18PM (6/25/2008)
WHAT?!? That is the worst photochop I've seen in a while - There have been a lotta attempts to improve the original with something 'new,' even by old man Carroll himself - and NOTHING has come close to the original (and good kits) - that is as ugly as homemade sin.
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Paul P. 9:30PM (6/25/2008)
It be really nice if Ford brought out a modern version of the Cobra. Basically a small roadster (Pontiac Solstice size) with a small displacement (~4.0L) and maybe larger displacement V8. Kind of like the Thunderbird they brought out a few years back, but with more muscular styling, a lower price, lighter weight, and with less amenities.
It's a real shame there aren't any inexpensive v8 roadsters out there anymore. The Corvette is the closest thing i can think of and even that's near $50,000 now.
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geo.stewart 7:54AM (6/26/2008)
picture a stretched miata with a 4.6 V8 laying in it!
oh yeah
neoscape 7:51PM (6/27/2008)
why do the rotors look like someones been chewing on them? either they are very unskilled at rendering really realistic shadows, or this is an ill informed attempt at glitzing up a mundane part.
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Doc Brown 10:14PM (6/25/2008)
I told you not to laugh at my flux capacitor.
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arturo 11:01PM (6/25/2008)
all they need to do is take the original design and use new materials like carbon fiber, engine, transmission, etc. they do not have to redesign it completly just make it better. i think the same with the 1967 fastback mustang my favorite muscle car, just make new again same shape new materials so it looks new again.
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mk 10:48AM (6/26/2008)
yup...
Don't bother actually being CREATIVE, just re-hash old designs with new materials.
Maybe if someone who actually designs cars could actually have an original thought... we might have more options for the Big 3 than Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, and Corvette. Not a new design between them, and a new Cobra is no different.
Why don't GM, Ford, and Chrysler go to the Archives, pull out their 1969 model catalog, and just re-hash EVERY design in their lineup, and we can all live like we are "back in the day."
How about a NEW day for once. It is the 21st century, and we seem to have trouble letting go of the 20th.
Nostalgia is fun and all, and a few throw-backs are nice, here and there.
But no one seems to be creating anything NEW. No one is creating the next future classic. They are only creating new OLD classics.
The 60s mustangs WERE ORIGINAL. They were very popular because they were fresh at that time. Proper respect is fine, but should we not be raising that bar NOW, rather than going back to the revered past at EVERY opportunity?
Maybe an original car design now would be your new favorite Muscle car... and be all the better for being original.
But they keep re-making television, and re-making movies, and re-enacting old politics, and dredging up all kinds of old stuff, and pretending it is new. Maybe creativity is used up, and there truly is NOTHING new under the sun.
I wish I were more creatively talented, but I am an analytical person... Not everyone can do that, but I hope someone can.
Yar 11:11PM (6/25/2008)
Squirting?
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Acfsambo 2:39AM (6/26/2008)
It would look better without the roof. It would work well with Ford Aust. 4L Straight 6 (POssibly the turbo versoin 310kw/420HP and 600 NM) and a 5-6L V8.
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