A while back I wrote about the possibility of the Corvette, Viper and our beloved Cobra switching from strictly RWD to all-wheel drive. The thinking was with all three cars now offering 500+, further increases in horsepower to stay ahead of the competition would become a joke. "Wow, my new Cobra/Viper/Vette, with its extra 50 horsepower this year, can now roast the tires 25 feet longer than Brand X's car." Well, I guess the Corvette engineers have been thinking much the same thing for a while now. Seems the next generation Corvette -- due out sometime around 2010 -- is this close >< to getting the green light to become a mid-engine sports car. I figured AWD would be easier and cheaper, but word has it the Corvette's Chief wants the next- generation Vette to be a take-no-prisoners World beater. And word has it the spy pics are absolutely stunning. Price for this gorgeous next generation techno-marvel: about the cost of today's convertible Vette. If GM can deliver, they will, no doubt, turn the sports car world upside down.
Which brings us back to our Cobra. It's obvious Ford has recently -- since the 2000 R model -- been trying to keep the Cobra in the Vette's rear view, if not its side-view mirrors. But now with the Vette likely to get the advantage/traction of a mid-engine design, what is Ford's well-muscled pony supposed to do to keep up if adding more HP/ tire smoke isn't enough? Obviously, it wouldn't make sense to design a mid-engine Mustang, but will Ford offer a Cobra with AWD?
Comments?
Patrick