2007 Sydney Motor Show: 

Related Pages on www.trueblueford.com : 
FPV Product Discussion.
Discuss these cars and more by clicking HERE.

(back to the TBF 2007 Sydney Motor Show gallery index)

Above: Although clearly the stand-out vehicle of Ford's 2007 Sydney Motor Show stand, the Cobra was parked well away from the attention grabbing turn-table it should have been on...but that didn't stop the punters who crowded it all day!

Released much in the same way as the original XC Cobra was (i.e. to provide much needed momentum for the outgoing model) that is where the comparisons end, with this version of the much-loved Cobra being based fair and square on the GT but with a few extra herbs to match!  - And of course the fact that no coupe version is available...with 400 sedans and 100 utes to be built it is no wonder they didn't hang around for long.

Unveiled to the public at a pre-race parade lap for this year's Bathurst 1000 (which by the way, could not have had a more fitting ending for such an introduction) to remind of the classic 1-2 finish of it's XC counterpart, the new version had no trouble capturing the imagination & wallets of a new generation of Ford fans with all 500 examples flying out the door in record time!  It didn't take long for the scalpers to start taking advantage of this significant case of under-supply with yet-to-be-delivered vehicles being sold on e-Bay for significant mark-ups over their FPV set asking prices...

Above: With 302kW on tap, the only problem for show organizers seemed to be whether to keep the bonnet open or closed...  Not a bad problem to have - with the blue of the factory rocker covers & inlet plenum matching the stripes almost perfectly.  

In another departure from XC Cobra fare, the BF version has only one engine available and it's the very top of the tree finally matching the XY GTHO phase III for claimed kW at least...and with 540Nm of claimed torque, it will be very interesting to see how it matches up with the 270kW but 550Nm Typhoon.

Despite what should be a fairly obvious power upgrade, the jury is still out with Ford's history of introducing barely perceptible power increases.  Still, with new cam profiles and the matching valve spring upgrades, an increase of compression from 10.5:1 to a definite 98 octane requiring 10.8:1 as well as revised stainless steel headers, the potential is there and we'll look forward to seeing what they do to go further than that in Orion.

Still, with every GT bought between now and Orion's launch getting the same engine it could be one to watch out for in the future collect-ability stakes!  And with Orion just around the corner, I suspect you might be able to count the amount of 302kW equipped non-Cobra GTs on one hand...we'll see.

Above: Hsss!  Chrome Cobra badge on the front quarter faces off against the embroided version in all four seating positions.  Leather seats come standard in both sedan and utility versions.  No doubt more than a few of those badges will go missing in less than exciting circumstances...

Above: Did anybody say how HARD it is to take a photo of a white car on a black background?  FPV take note...

With the market already well educated on the value of Australian muscle cars, it is highly unlikely that any of these will be allowed to deteriorate being left out to rust as the XC was, with quite a few examples having been resurrected from near death courtesy of neglectful owners oblivious to their future worth.

Fitted with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 245/35ZR tyres, the Cobra's white-backed 19" alloys don't have everybody excited, but will be a highly sought after piece of authenticity in future years...

Above:  Without a media pass and with all the attention being lavished on what is sure to be a favourite for some time to come, it was impossible not to get some shadows in on the mix!  And just in case you had missed it - FPV's theme this year seemed to be white...(on a Cobra I can understand, but on the others - sheesh!)

Above:  We couldn't resist putting this photo in as well - just sit back and say yummmmo with the rest of us....  Note GT badge in the grill just like an 'ordinary' GT (if there is such a thing!)

Above: We couldn't think of a better shot to finish off this collection of photos with - can you?  With word that almost all of the 400 sedans and 100 utes are already sold, this may be the only view most of us get too!

So despite the bayings of a few knockers, this is one Cobra that is far in excess of the original not only in equipment levels but also in concept as well, and should continue to stand head and shoulders above the rest even once it is eclipsed by the soon to be released Orion.

When new (and still available) $65,110 bought you a Cobra sedan, while the Cobra Ute set the lucky few back only $61,200.

Discuss these cars and more by clicking HERE.

(back to the TBF 2007 Sydney Motor Show gallery index)