2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R...Continued

But the visceral appeal is what attracts the second looks. The design team didn't want the Mustang to be confused with any Japanese or European car. There is no denying that this Mustang is an American muscle car, and its lineage is obvious.

Tom Scarpello, specialty vehicle marketing manager at Ford, says the 2000 Cobra R is both a race car and a modern icon. "Three hundred people will be able to have a lot of fun in this car, and be very competitive racing it," Scarpello says. "This car elevates the whole idea of Mustang - without changing what it's been for more than 35 years."

The regular Cobra model has been suspended for 2000 so this is the only high performance Mustang today. SVT also produces a high performance version of the soon to be dropped Contour, as well as the 380 hp supercharged Lightning F150 pickup. Look for muscular models of the Focus and Cougar to follow.

This is the third generation of the Cobra R. The debut 1993 model, was introduced as a strictly competition package, and included wheel, suspension and cooling upgrades, chassis bracing and a higher-output version of the 5.OL HO V-8. Just 107 were produced. The 250 1995 Cobra R units were also delivered with a competition package, a higher-output 5.8 Windsor V-8 engine, a Tremec 5-speed transmission, unique suspension and 17 x 9-inch wheels.

A 385-horsepower 5.4-liter 4-valve DOHC V8 engine from Ford's modular family defines the latest Cobra R.

Most multi-valve engines are weak at low rpms, but these modular units will defend themselves well in stoplight Grands Prix. Blue oval enthusiasts are celebrating.

SVE developed high-flow aluminum cylinder heads, and a Canton Racing Products oil pan provides extra oil capacity, reduced windage losses and improved oil control under racing conditions. To cool the synthetic oil, an air-to-oil cooler system is mounted behind the front fascia. The exhaust system consists of short-tube headers leading into a Bassani X-pipe system with catalytic converters, chosen for improved sound quality, ending with unique Borla mufflers and side-exit pipes that provide more clearance at the rear for the 21-gallon Fuel Safe fuel cell.

Add to that a McLeod aluminum flywheel, a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, 18 x 9.5-inch wheels and tires, Brembo 4-piston aluminum front brake calipers, and Eibach racing springs and it's a complete package. A rear wing and front splitter provides high-speed aerodynamic stability. The car's top speed is more than 170 mph.