Autoblog

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.


[Source: Auto Express]

We are big fans of Superformance, makers of the Cobra, Daytona Coupe, and GT40 replicas that have the blessing (and licensing agreement) of Carroll Shelby. When we heard they were opening up a new showroom in Irvine, CA, we had to go check it out ourselves. Superformance has actually been in the same building for the past few years, so the location is nothing new. However, they recently decided to knock down a few walls so that they could store their beautiful and wickedly fast eye candy in something more presentable to the public. On to the photos - check out the huge gallery of photos below and pick out your dream car.

From the "Don't Tick Off Carroll Shelby Department" comes the continuing saga which is the SAAC vs. the performance Mustang patriarch. We told you earlier about the feud between Shelby and SAAC owners Rick Kopec and Ken Eber over the cancellation of the Shelby club's license, and as of yesterday, the contract officially expired. Since the SAAC's license is now void and Shelby owns the trademark to the SAAC name, the Texas tornado has filed a lawsuit to ensure Kopec and Eber follow the original 1999 contract both before and after its termination. That includes everything from ceasing to use the Shelby name to handing over financial documents over to Shelby Licensing.

Shelby explained his reasoning for pulling the license back in December, stating that Kopec and Eber had ignored Shelby's requests to follow the licensing agreement. Shelby also accused the two of selling memorabilia that was loaned to the club by Shelby, which may explain why Shelby wants to inspect the club's books. To prove that this whole mess wasn't about money, Shelby has offered other clubs the use of his name for $1 per year. We're hoping that the 5,000 members of the SAAC can find a new club to find home, but at $1 per year, the stranded members can start their own club. Check out Shelby's press release after the jump.

[Source: Shelby Licensing]

Click image for photo gallery

While we wait for Ford to let the SVT gang loose on one of the Oval's US-market sedans, it's business as usual in Australia, where the awesome can't be stopped, and the current-gen FPV Falcon isn't going away quietly. Today's evidence: the just-announced FPV Cobra, a limited-edition Boss 302-powered tire incinerator that comes in both sedan and ute form. (Oh, the Boss 302 moniker stands for 302 kilowatts, not cubic inches, btw.) All Cobras are white with blue stripes, and the 5.4L Boss 302 V8 dishes out 404 horses and 398 lb-ft of torque. All that juice is directed aft via a standard 6-speed manual or a ZF 6-speed auto that's available at no additional cost.

Other baubles include standard leather, spiffy 19" wheels, Brembos (which can be further upgraded as well), all the expected badging, and in the case of the sedan, FPV's track-ready R-Spec suspension. Total Cobra production is limited to 500 vehicles, with 4-doors outnumbering utes 400 to 100. Pricing will start at $65,110 AUD for the sedan and $61,200 AUD for the ute. In other news, US customers have the new Focus to look forward to, which looks almost as cool as this Aussie Cobra, assuming you're wearing a blindfold.

Follow the jump for the official press release. Thanks for the tip, Damien!

[Source: FPV]

The feeling one gets when they receive in the mail a hefty ticket for speeding is extremely bad, but the cop-dodging experts at Cobra have come up with a terrific tool. Cobra's XRS R9G is the first US laser and radar detector that utilizes GPS Navigation to warn drivers of known speed trap cameras. Cobra is keeping track of traps all over the US, and anyone that purchases the $449 device can also load updates from the Cobra website. Cobra is also working towards using GPS to alert drivers of upcoming school or construction zones, as well as giving owners notice when they're about to enter a high risk accident zone.

The XRS R9G also signals the driver of any laser or radar guns, finally giving drivers the trifecta of protection against the unwanted ticket. Like it or not, speed cameras are on the rise, and with smaller cameras being produced all the time, they're getting harder to detect. Cobra's XRS R9G is the first product to market to come up with a solution that gives drivers a fighting chance... to speed and get away with it.

Hit the jump to view the press release

If Cobras don't do it for you on track days, you can now make the same choice that was available in the '60s. While Caroll Shelby was stuffing FE Fords into mild-mannered AC Aces, Bill Thomas Race Cars was developing a competitor called the Cheetah that could run with the fire breathing Cobras, as well as keep pace with Ferrari's 250. The original cars used a 377 cubic inch V8 to speed their way to 11 SCCA victories in 1964. While Bill Thomas had friends at the General, Chevrolet backed out well before the 100 necessary for homologation were built, putting the first nail in the car's coffin. A shop fire finally killed the Cheetah effort. Before disaster struck, Thomas was able to produce only about 16-23 Cheetahs.

One of those original cars was used to help Arizona's BTM whip up a continuation series, along with the original drawings. Thomas has granted BTM the rights to build a new Cheetah, which differs from the original in details, but retains the spirit. There are some vintage Chevy pieces in the new Cheetahs, but the engine is now a ZZ4 350 with aluminum heads. Not underwhelming by any stretch, and it's only got 1,780 pounds to yank around anyway, so acceleration will be brisk. Before you dream of untwisting your favorite road with this thing, take note that it's not street legal. No matter, it's still cool to see something other than a Cobra. While the Cobra is capable, we've seen so much of them in pictures and replicas that we're desensitized. The Cheetah, on the other hand, would stick out more than a Cobra Daytona, and could offer your trackmates serious hell at a vintage racing event.

[Source: Inside Line]

Click image for photo gallery

The new 2008 Saturn VUE is almost upon us, but in Europe, it's been out for a while as the Opel Antara. As such, accessories for the Euro-spec car have already hit the scene. The latest batch comes from Cobra Technology & Lifestyle, whose stuff we've covered before. They offer up a full tubular grille guard for the soft-roader, which seems excessive until you think about the way some people park on the street both in Europe and here in the U.S. It's probably just as useful for warding off errant parallel-parking Renaults as it is for branches and brush.

A more subtle front guard is also available, as is a matching set for the rear bumper. A rocker rail with integrated steps aids entry (not that the Vue/Antara has a jacked-up ride by any means), and a traditional running board is also available for those who prefer that look. Finally, Cobra's got a nice set of 18" alloys for the little ute. None of it may be necessary, but it doesn't look half bad.

[Source: Cobra Technology & Lifestyle]

We love Carroll Shelby. You love Carroll Shelby. We all love Carroll Shelby. Repeat. We also love the cars that have the Shelby logo on them. Except, maybe a few of the Dodge products in the 80's. An Omni probably should never be called a Shelby. Anybody disagree? (Yes. I owned one. -Ed.)

Now, Shelby is getting in on the motorcycle craze. I happen to be a rider myself, and I can appreciate most every motorcycle on the market for one reason or another. This one, however, we have to dismiss. Would you put a Shelby logo on a lowrider Cadillac Fleetwood, even if it had a really big engine? No. And neither should it be applied to this low-riding, ill handling custom bike. Just because it has a big, powerful V-Twin engine nestled tightly between it's downtubes doesn't mean it has performance credentials. Think back -- what did Shelby build his reputation on? Winning races, right? Would you take this bike to a track day and challenge the GSXR's and Ninja's in the corners? Neither would we, which is why this is not a real Shelby.

[Source: Gizmag]

Click image for mini-gallery

We last saw Cobra Technology & Lifestyle when they introduced a set of accessories for the Nissan Qashquai, and the next ride they've decided to focus their attention on is the Suzuki SX4. The SX4 is a nifty-looking little hatchback, and it offers AWD and rugged-ish, allroad-y looks at a reasonable price. Despite the fact that the car's power drives all four of its wheels, we never really looked at it as a vehicle that called for SUV-style accessorization. Other people may have a different opinion though, and for them, Cobra has the gear to make it happen.

They now offer a front grille guard that meets European pedestrian safety standards. As odd as it may look on the hatchback, it's probably easier to rationalize than the available tubular side steps, which are not necessary. We're talking about a car here, not Bigfoot.

Follow the jump for Cobra's press release. High-res shots are in the 2-photo mini-gallery as well. We'll be keeping an eye for the possible appearance of the SX-4 sedan at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show this week.

[Source: Cobra Technology & Lifestyle]

Oh, no. Il Commendatore would not have liked this one bit. Scuderia Ferrari's now-retired seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has gone and bought himself a Shelby Cobra. Initial reports identified the car as one of six super-rare Daytona Coupes, but corrected reports confirm it was actually a 1967 Mk II Shelby Cobra 427 roadster.

Shelby set out with the mission to beat Ferrari in GT racing, and made the Daytona to achieve those ends. Only six were made, five in Italy and one in the US, and they're currently valued at about $4 million apiece. The Daytona met significant success in 1964 and 1965 before Ford and Shelby shifted their focus to the even more successful GT40. The Cobra roadster didn't have the same mission, but for the tifosi the Shelby name represents the antithesis of the Prancing Horse.

Schumi apparently bought himself the Shelby as a 38th birthday present. The exact sum the champ paid wasn't disclosed, but you can bet it was a big figure. Whatever it was, though, he can afford it: even after retirement, Schumacher is still one of the top-earning F1 drivers alive.

[Source: Motorpasion and Le Blog Auto]