Ford unleashes factory-prepped Mustang drag racer

Its pronounced bonnet bulge appears inspired by an Airbus A380 (or a humpback whale), but this is potentially the fastest Mustang to emerge from Ford's US skunkworks.

Following in the wheeltracks of the legendary 1968 Ford Cobra Jet Mustang -- and the 2008 40th Anniversary model -- this is the 2010 iteration, which debuts at this week's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.

Created as a factory-produced turnkey race car, just 50 examples will be offered for sale, priced in the States from $US77,000-95,000 (depending on spec levels).

The 2010 Cobra Jet -- like its predecessor -- has been factory-prepped for NHRA Stock and Super Stock drag racing and could conceivably add to the trophies collected by its predecessor at the NHRA Winternationals and U.S Nationals.

The silver car here was created specifically for the SEMA show, but customer cars will all be white (with the Cobra Jet graphics optionally available in red and white).

The 2010 model comes with all of the features of the 2008 car, including options such as a full race-prepared automatic or manual transmission, drag race-specific shocks and springs, manual steering and brakes, 8.50 certified rollcage, and an Aeromitive return-style fuel system with trunk-mounted fuel cell. A full set of instrumentation and racing safety harnesses come standard.

Ford Racing's labcoats have also developed a factory-first launch control/rev limiter that will allow drivers to preset the rpm after they stage the car. When the 'Christmas tree' lights count down, all the driver has to do is mash the throttle to the firewall.

Previously, the launch control/rev limiter was only available as an aftermarket option. All cars now also get a line lock from the factory to disable the rear brakes for burnouts.

The stock powertrain is a supercharged 5.4-litre V8 calibrated to and rated at 350kW, but the new range-topping Super Cobra Jet engine scores an aluminium block and a 4-litre Whipple supercharger (rather than the base model's 2.3-litre blower). All the engines also get higher lift cams and compression increased to 9.6:1.

All 50 Cobra Jet Mustangs have already been pre-sold, but the bits and pieces that go into them can be ordered from the Ford Performance Parts catalogue, which means even a bogger V6 Mustang can be converted into a fire-breathing drag car.

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