2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

The Ford Motor Company's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) introduced the 2000 Mustang Cobra R at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Chandler, Arizona. Following the fox-body 1993 and second-generation SVT Mustang Cobra R, the 2000 Cobra R came equipped with Ford's relatively new 5.4-liter single overhead cam 4-valve Mod Model V-8. The engine had a forged-steel crankshaft, Federal-Mogul-equipped powdered metal connecting rods, 11.0:1 CR Hypereutectic pistons, a Crane Cams valvetrain, a K&N cylindrical filtered 75 mm Cobra high-volume air intake, SVT/Ford Racing high-capacity fuel injectors and stainless-steel side exit exhaust. It developed 385 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 385 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 RPM and was backed with a McLeod-activated Borg-Warner 6-speed transmission. Additional features included a Brembo disc-brake package, Eibach sprung and dampened, 3.55:1 geared rear end, and a McPherson strut front and independent rear suspensions. There were silver powder coated 18-inch 5-spoke wheels wrapped with BF Goodrich G-Force radial tires. High-speed aerodynamic stability was ensured by the rear wing and front splitter. Interior features included the addition Recaro sport seats, and the removal of the radio, air conditioner, and back seat to save weight.

With a top speed of 175 mph, it was one of the fastest vehicles Mustangs ever built and only 300 examples of the 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R were built. They were developed specifically for racing and were built at Ford's Dearborn Assembly Plant in March of 2000, and shipped to selected SVT certified dealers.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020