Back at the end of 2015 Ford released the Cobra Jet Mustang, a high-performance drag car straight from the factory. While this is mighty impressive, rumors also suggest a 2016 Ford Mustang Cobra should be available soon, and this would be the street version of drag ready vehicle. Ford had in the past Cobra-badged cars out there, but the last one was made more than ten years ago. This new car would certainly have to raise the bar quite a bit to become successful. As it sits, the car would be using the platform of the latest Mustang. However, it should bring a large number of upgrades over standard version meant to make it faster in a straight line and not just that.

Some said that the upcoming Cobra would become the new GT500. In our opinion, though, we do think this is highly unlikely. Instead, the Cobra might be just a limited edition Mustang meant to give people a nicer car than the regular GT or GT350. The price, considering it will very likely be limited, should be closer to $70,000. This would make it more than the GT350R, but it will also come with a set of really nice features. At this point, it is not clear when the car will hit the market, but if the rumors are true, we should see it by the end of the year.

2016 Ford Mustang Cobra Design

The rumored 2016 Ford Mustang Cobra should borrow parts from the entire Mustang lineup. For starters, it seems that it may use the body of the GT350. This offers a lower front end to make the car more aerodynamic than usual. However, it will not get the adaptive dampers. Instead, the car may use the same type of suspension system that will be found in the upcoming GT500. The brakes should be quite a bit better than those on the base model while some said that carbon ceramics might be installed allowing it to be bashed heavily on the track and pushed to its limits. The new suspension and brake package will mean that the Cobra will be comfortable, but it will still handle better than the regular car.

The Cobra package will add changes inside and out as well. The exterior of the car is expected to get a body kit similar to that of the last version. A large rear fixed wing at the back, a bigger splitter up front and side-mounted exhausts should be installed. Its cabin will make use of the regular Mustang dashboard. However, Recaro seats, red seatbelts and contrasting stitching should all be offered. You might not get the luxury and features provided in some other vehicles in Mustang lineup, but it is clear that Cobra is aiming those buyers that want improved performances.

Drivetrain

All versions of the Cobra have been using naturally aspirated engines. It seems that the future 2016 Ford Mustang Cobra will follow the same recipe. While up to this point it still is unclear what engine is going to be installed, our sources say that a new 5.0-liter double-overhead-cam V8 might be used. This would be based on the usual Ford 5.0-liter Coyote engine. However, it would get new heads, a new intake and exhaust system, likely larger valves as well as a new and lighter flywheel. These changes should allow the new engine to rev up higher and easier. As a result, the total output should go up from around 440 up to nearly 510 or even 530 horsepower.

This would be just as much as the 5.2 Voodoo engine. However, it would have around 100 lb-ft more torque than it, and it should also be a lot easier to drive. A manual gearbox is likely going to be the only option for a long time. However, an automatic is not yet out of the question, and Ford may even release a special edition for this automatic transmission equipped model. All of them will be similar in performance to the GT350, but the car should be quite a bit easier to drive and also more thrilling.

Video: