As a long-time automotive journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to test drive and review countless vehicles. I thrive on experiencing the latest technology and exhilarating drives, always eager to share my insights with fellow car enthusiasts. But every now and then, a story arises that transcends the typical car review, revealing the intricate relationship between performance, perception, and the pursuit of automotive excellence. This is the story of the 1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, a car that found itself at the center of a horsepower controversy, sparking legal battles and challenging the very definition of automotive truth in advertising.
The Unveiling and the “Keepers of the Flame”
The year was 1999, and the automotive world was abuzz with the arrival of a new generation of performance cars. As the executive editor of Car and Driver magazine, I was tasked with orchestrating a comparison test for a cover story aptly titled “Keepers of the Flame.” The contenders? The fastest available Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Pontiac Firebird convertibles. It promised to be a showdown for the ages.
The 1999 Mustang SVT Cobra, fresh off the production line, boasted a potent 320-horsepower version of the 4.6-liter V8 engine. This put it head-to-head with the Camaro SS and Trans Am, both powered by larger 5.7-liter engines with identical horsepower figures. While torque favored the GM offerings due to their larger displacement, the Cobra held its own in initial tests, clocking a respectable 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds.
Doubts Arise: A Discrepancy in Performance
However, as I spent more time behind the wheel of the Cobra, a nagging sensation crept in – it felt slower than advertised. To address this discrepancy, I enlisted the expertise of professional race car driver Paul Gentilozzi, a champion in the Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am series. Even Gentilozzi, a seasoned driver familiar with Ford products, couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. “Jeez, what’s wrong with this car?” he remarked after pushing the Cobra to its limits on the track.
Concerned, I reached out to my contacts at Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT), the brilliant minds behind the Cobra’s performance enhancements. They, too, acknowledged that a six-second 0-60 mph time seemed sluggish for a car of its caliber. Determined to get to the bottom of the issue, they provided a second Cobra for testing, this one equipped with an engine from a “different batch.” As suspected, this second car exhibited noticeably brisker acceleration, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds – a significant improvement.
Unraveling the Truth: The Horsepower Deficit
The implications of this finding were substantial. While the difference in acceleration might seem trivial to some, for enthusiasts seeking the thrill of raw horsepower, even fractions of a second can be a deciding factor in their purchasing decision. This was especially true for buyers of performance cars like the Cobra, Camaro SS, and Firebird Trans Am, who demanded every ounce of advertised power.
The SVT team, known for their close relationship with their customer base, took this matter seriously. Their investigation, triggered by my inquiries, revealed a disconcerting truth: the 1999 Cobra was not delivering its advertised 320 horsepower. The actual output varied from engine to engine, typically falling short by approximately 10 horsepower.
The Fallout: Recalls, Lawsuits, and Investigations
The news of the Cobra’s horsepower deficit sent shockwaves through the automotive community. Owners of the affected vehicles expressed a mix of anger and disappointment, while Ford scrambled to mitigate the damage. Production of the 1999 Cobra was halted, and the 2000 model year was canceled altogether.
To appease disgruntled owners, Ford offered three complimentary fixes for the 1999 Cobra:
- New Exhaust System: A less restrictive exhaust system to improve engine breathing.
- Revised Intake Manifold: An optimized intake manifold to enhance airflow into the engine.
- Recalibrated Engine Control Unit (ECU): Adjustments to the ECU’s programming to optimize fuel delivery and ignition timing.
These measures aimed to restore the Cobra’s lost horsepower, but verifying their effectiveness proved challenging. Measuring horsepower accurately requires specialized equipment like a dynamometer, which isn’t easily accessible to most car owners.
The controversy didn’t end there. A class-action lawsuit was filed against Ford in Florida, alleging that the automaker had engaged in deceptive trade practices by misrepresenting the Cobra’s horsepower and torque figures. The lawsuit, spearheaded by attorney Scott McKay on behalf of Cobra owner John Ambrosini, sought compensation for affected owners and accused Ford of profiting from false advertising.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Florida Attorney General’s office launched a formal investigation into the matter. Robert Julian, the attorney leading the investigation, scrutinized the adequacy of Ford’s proposed fixes and explored the potential impact on the resale value of 1999 Cobras.
A Legacy Tarnished?
The 1999 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, once hailed as a performance icon, became entangled in a web of controversy that tarnished its reputation. While Ford maintained that they had taken appropriate measures to rectify the situation, the legal battles and investigations cast a long shadow over the car’s legacy.
The Cobra’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the critical importance of transparency and accuracy in automotive advertising. It also underscores the passionate bond between car enthusiasts and their vehicles, where even seemingly minor discrepancies in performance can have far-reaching consequences.