2001 SVT
Mustang Cobra
Overview (t- samajm)
POWER, RIDE, HANDLING GIVE
COMPETITIVE EDGE
The 2001 SVT Mustang Cobra continues to break away from the pack with
muscle-car power and refined driving dynamics, thanks to its DOHC V8
engine
and independent rear suspension system (IRS). The IRS provides a
competitive edge over the SVT Cobra's rivals by giving the car a firm
yet
compliant ride and outstanding handling characteristics.
POWERTRAIN
The SVT Mustang Cobra's potent 4.6-liter, DOHC tumble-port V8 engine
produces 320 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 317 foot-pounds of torque at
4,750
rpm.
The block is cast aluminum
alloy, carrying a fully counterweighted,
forged-steel crankshaft. Aluminum upper main, upper thrust and rod bearings
add to the engine's durability. Six high-tensile steel bolts secure
each
main bearing cap, in an arrangement that spreads loads over a large
area of
the block.
The aluminum alloy pistons
have shallow skirts and a special
friction-reducing coating on their sliding surfaces, which improves
both
durability and the engine's free-revving characteristics. The pistons
are
designed to give the engine a compression ratio of 9.85:1.
The engine's intake system
consists of a specially designed conical air
filter, an 80mm mass-air flow sensor, and twin 57mm throttle body bores
with butterfly valves that open simultaneously, providing exceptional
throttle response by quickly yet progressively moving air into the
cast-aluminum manifold.
In the upper manifold, eight
tuned runners feed down to the intake ports
and eight pairs of 37mm intake valves. The design of the runners and
intake
ports imparts a tumbling motion to the fuel-air charge as it enters
the
combustion chamber, which increases the mixture's volatility and makes
it
more powerful.
A distributorless, coil-on-plug
ignition system fires each cylinder. The
system is precise, uncomplicated, and gives a high-energy spark for
efficient burn characteristics.
The exhaust manifolds are
made of high-silicon, molybdenum iron, feeding
into a stainless steel exhaust system with 2.25-inch pipes and
low-restriction mufflers.
Each SVT Cobra engine is
hand-assembled at the Romeo (Mich.) Engine Plant.
Two-person teams assemble the engines on a separate, dedicated line,
and
their final task is fastening a signature plate, inscribed with their
names, onto the right cam cover.
Behind the engine, a rugged
11-inch, single-plate clutch and TremecT
5-speed manual transmission deliver power to the SVT Cobra's 3.27:1
crown-and-pinion gears and limited slip differential. The differential
assembly is housed in an aluminum case.
TRACTION CONTROL
An all-speed traction control
system (TCS) is standard equipment on all the
2001 Ford SVT Mustang Cobras - a hybrid system that is designed to meet
the
performance needs of SVT Cobra drivers.
The system's "Power
Start" feature allows the driver to spin the drive
wheels under acceleration, as long as the car tracks straight. If the
system senses the vehicle slipping sideways, the traction control system
will engage. The system also has a driver-selectable on/off switch.
With the TCS activated, when
either of the two rear ABS/traction control
sensors detects a wheel spinning at a rate higher than its counterpart,
the
engine management system retards ignition timing and modulates the fuel-air
ratio to reduce power to that wheel. If the spinning continues, engine
management cuts off one or more cylinders, and the ABS applies braking
to
the spinning wheel, transferring power to the other drive wheel.
The sophisticated system
can detect the difference between wheel spin due
to acceleration from cornering slippage, based on differences in slip
rates
at the wheels.
The TCS engine management
strategies work at all speeds, and the system can
apply braking to either rear wheel at speeds up to 62 mph.
SUSPENSION
The SVT Mustang Cobra's unique independent rear suspension system is
carried on a tubular steel subframe. This subframe and suspension is
bolted
to the platform as a single unit, on the same assembly line that produces
the solid-rear-axle Mustang V6 and GT models. The only modification
to the
chassis is the addition of two bolt holes and weld nuts near the former
Quadra Shock mounting holes.
The IRS system includes steel
upper control arms, aluminum alloy lower
control arms, 470 lb./in. coil springs, aluminum spindles, a 26mm tubular
stabilizer bar, and fixed tie-rods behind the center of each wheel to
control toe alignment during cornering.
The aluminum lower control
arms are manufactured with a "permanent mold"
casting process, which produces remarkably precise parts and allows
a
lighter component, because they can be designed for minimal production
variances.
The IRS system results in
a reduction of 125 pounds in unsprung weight, a
1.2-inch wider rear track, and a quarter-inch lower rear ride height.
Compared with a solid axle,
benefits of the IRS include better steering
response and on-center feel, reduced lift and dive characteristics under
hard acceleration and braking, and drive wheels that stay more firmly
planted during cornering. Because suspension travel is greater, the
IRS
reduces the potential for rear suspension bottoming. It also decreases
sensitivity to road surface bumps and irregularities, and gives the
car
better front-to-rear weight distribution.
The front suspension of the
SVT Cobra is a modified MacPherson strut design
with 500 lb./in. coil springs on the lower control arms, and a 28mm
tubular
stabilizer bar. The front ride height also is a quarter-inch lower than
the
Mustang GT.
The rack-and-pinion steering
system is hydraulically assisted, and special
tuning for the boost curve and T-bar mechanism give the SVT Cobra precise,
communicative steering feel.
DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT
Several visual cues distinguish the Ford SVT Mustang Cobra from other
Mustang models. The front of the SVT Cobra has a unique hood design,
a
front fascia with round driving lights and a deep intake that helps
force
air through the engine cooling system, and Cobra badges on the fenders.
At the rear, the SVT Cobra
is distinguished by tri-color taillamps,
polished three-inch exhaust tips, an SVT badge, the word COBRA across
the
rear fascia, and an optional rear spoiler. Both the hood and rear deck
are
constructed of lightweight composite materials.
Inside, design of the seats
is new for 2001 and unique to the SVT Cobra:
leather surfaces with Alcantara insert material, the Cobra emblem
embroidered on the seatback, and firm bolster padding for exceptional
lateral support. The six-way-power driver's seat has a rearward travel
range that will accommodate more long-legged drivers.
Additional SVT Cobra standard
features include leather-wrapped steering
wheel and shift knob; leather boots for the shift and parking brake
levers;
tilt steering wheel; power windows, mirrors, door locks and trunk release;
the Ford SecuriLockT passive anti-theft system; remote keyless entry;
speed
control; and a Mach 460 audio system with AM/FM stereo, and a new in-dash,
six-disc CD player.
Exterior color choices for
2001 are Oxford White Clearcoat, Black
Clearcoat, Laser Red Tinted Clearcoat, Performance Red Clearcoat, True
Blue
Clearcoat, Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Mineral Grey Clearcoat and Zinc
Yellow Clearcoat.
The interior is available
in Dark Charcoal or Medium Parchment.
SAFETY
The 2001 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra has several new standard safety features.
An emergency release for
the rear decklid is located inside the trunk. It
has a phosphorescent handle that's easy to find in the dark, and allows
anyone locked in the trunk to open it from the inside.
Ford's BeltMinderT safety
belt use reminder system senses whether or not
the driver is wearing the safety belt. If the driver is not bucked up
when
the vehicle is in motion, a warning chime sounds intermittently, and
a red
light illuminates on the instrument panel.
Also new on the 2001 SVT
Cobra is a "check fuel cap" light to warn of a
loose gas cap, and two child safety seat top-tether anchors, which meet
new
Federal requirements, integrated into the rear seat.
PRICING
Manufacturer's suggested retail pricing for the 2001 Ford SVT Mustang
Cobra
is $29,235 for the coupe and $33,235 for the convertible model. Both
prices
include destination and delivery charges. Optional equipment prices
are
$195 for the rear spoiler, $395 for the polished wheels, and $25 for
the
floor mats.
TECH
SPECS:
Powertrain 2001 FORD SVT MUSTANG COBRA TECHNICAL
DATA ENGINE
Configuration Longitudinally mounted, 90-degree V8, cast aluminum
block and heads, iron cylinder liners, fully counterweighted forged
crankshaft Bore x Stroke 90.2mm x 90.0mm Displacement 4,601cc (280
cid) Compression ratio 9.85:1 Horsepower 320 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque
317 lb.-ft. @ 4,750 rpm Specific output 69.6 horsepower per liter
Redline 6,800 rpm (fuel shut-off occurs @ 7,000 rpm) Valvetrain
Double overhead camshafts, chain drive to exhaust cams, secondary
chains from exhaust to intake cams, roller finger followers with
hydraulic lash adjustment, oval-wire beehive- shaped valve springs,
four valves
per cylinder Intake valves 2 per cylinder, 37mm head diameter Exhaust
valves 2 per cylinder, 30mm head diameter Ignition system Distributorless
coil-on-plug Fuel system Sequential electronic fuel injection Intake
manifold Cast aluminum, tuned equal length runners Throttle body
57mm twin bore Mass-air sensor 80mm diameter Exhaust manifolds Cast
iron Exhaust system Dual, stainless steel, 2.25-inch diameter; 3.0
inch polished exhaust tips
DRIVETRAIN
Rear axle 8.8-in. ring gear with 3.27:1 limited-slip differential,
aluminum case Drive shaft Steel, with hardened yoke Transmission
Tremec™ 5-speed manual Clutch 11.0-in. single-plate Gear Ratio
Maximum Speed In Gear 1st 3.37 45 mph (72 km/h) 2nd 1.99 77 mph
(124 km/h) 3rd 1.33 115 mph (185 km/h) 4th 1.00 150 mph (241 km/h)
5th 0.67 Reverse 3.22 Final drive 3.27 Traction control Accomplished
by engine ignition timing, cylinder cut-off, brake application.
Linked to ABS module and engine control module. Driver-controlled
on-off switch
SUSPENSION
Front Modified gas-charged MacPherson strut, with separate 500 lb./in.
spring on lower arm, 28mm tubular stabilizer bar Rear Multi-link
independent, steel upper control arm, aluminum lower control arm,
fixed toe-control tie rod, aluminum spindle, gas-charged tubular
shock absorber, 470 lb./in. coil spring, 26mm tubular stabilizer
bar
STEERING
Type Rack and pinion, power assist Gear ratio 15.0:1 Turns, lock
to lock 2.5 Turning diameter 37.9 ft.
BRAKES
Front 13.0 in. (330mm) vented Brembo™ disc, PBR™ twin-piston
caliper Rear 11.65 in. (296mm) vented disc, single-piston caliper
ABS Four-channel, four-sensor system. Linked to all-speed traction
control
WHEELS & TIRES
Wheels 17 x 8 in., five spoke, forged aluminum-alloy, painted surface,
exposed lugs Tires BFGoodrich™ Comp T/A, 245/45ZR-17
SVT MUSTANG COBRA INCLUDES
Supplemental restraint system: driver and passenger airbags Always
wear your safety belt and deactivate passenger airbag when using
a rear-facing infant safety seat · Independent rear suspension
(IRS) · Anti-lock brake system (ABS) · All-speed traction
control · SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system ·
Articulated front sport seats (standard six-way power for driver)
with Alcantara cloth and leather seating surfaces and power lumbar
support · Tilt steering wheel · MACH® 460 electronic
AM/FM stereo and in-dash six-disc CD player · Power Equipment
Group: Dual electric remote control mirrors, power side windows,
power door locks, power deck lid release · Rear window defroster
· Air-conditioning (manual control) · Speed control
· Dual illuminated visor mirrors · Remote keyless
illuminated entry |
