Performance Review: Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 - [2000]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2000. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the 2000 Ultima GTR 720.This particular Ford Mustang has a 5409cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1628 kgs (3589 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 5409cc 32V V8 engine produces 385 bhp (287 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 385 lb-ft (521.9 Nm) @ 4250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (261.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 236.4 bhp per ton and 236.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2000 Mustang competing with the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (261.4 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Lotus Exige 240 R (261.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 236.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (261.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (261.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.6 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 as fast as the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs). This Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.60 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i 3.0 Cabrio Turbo F23 (4.60 secs) the and the 2020 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (4.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.2 secs @ 103.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 (13.14 secs), the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (13.15 secs), and the 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 7.4 V8 Sports Coupe 365 (13.15 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2000 version of the Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 170mph.

Top Speed of the 2000 Mustang equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph), the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (181 mph), or the 2019 Aston-Martin DBX 4.0 V8 Turbo (181 mph).

Related Links:

2000 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison