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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday August 23, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Auto EVERYTHING power, poise and presence Continued from front page top speed was noted, my co-driver saw 225 km/h before he heeded my white knuckle pleading to slow down. Official output numbers keep creeping up. At the Shelby's intro at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, 475 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque were the magic numbers. In California, the SVT folks promised 485 ponies. Now, almost as I was typing this sentence, my e-mail alert sounded with news from Ford that the Cobra was certified at 500 hp at 6,000 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. NO PAYMENTS FOR 90 DAYS OR WE MAKE YOUR FIRST LEASE PAYMENT 0 % PURCHASE FINANCING FOR 24 MONTHS AVAILABLE ON ALL NEW 2006 RX-8, MAZDA3 AND MAZDA5 MODELS 2006 MAZDA RX-8 GS $ LEASE FROM PER MONTH/24 MONTHS WITH $5,995 DOWN PAYMENT 299 0% * ­ AT ­ LEASE APR NO SECURITY DEPOSIT LEASE PAYMENT INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E. zoom-zoom 2006 MAZDA3 SEDAN GX · · · · GT model shown $ 2.0 L DOHC engine Air conditioning Power locks Remote keyless entry PER MONTH/24 MONTHS WITH $2,845 DOWN PAYMENT 179 0% ­ AT ­ LEASE APR NO SECURITY DEPOSIT LEASE PAYMENT INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E. $ PER MONTH/24 MONTHS WITH $2,845 DOWN PAYMENT 199 0 ­ AT ­ LEASE FROM % LEASE APR 2006 MAZDA3 SPORT GS · 160-hp 2.3 L DOHC engine · 16" alloy wheels · Fog lights · Steering-wheel-mounted audio controls NO SECURITY DEPOSIT LEASE PAYMENT INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E. GT model shown 2006 MAZDA5 GS · 6-passenger seating with versatile fold-flat cargo capability · Dual front side air bags · Dual side air curtains for 1st/2nd/ 3rd rows of seating GT model shown $ PER MONTH/48 MONTHS WITH $2,895 DOWN PAYMENT 4.9% 249 ­ AT ­ LEASE FROM LEASE APR NO SECURITY DEPOSIT LEASE PAYMENT INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E. 1291 SPEERS ROAD 905.827.4242 de between 3rd & 4th Line) · www.oakvillemazda.com email: info@oakvillemazda.com 0% APR Purchase Financing 24 months is available on all new 2006 Mazda RX-8, 2006 Mazda3 and 2006 Mazda5 ­ Based on a representative agreement using an MSRP of $37,095 for the 2006 RX-8 GS with a financed amount of $35,000, the C.O.B. for a 24-month term is $0, using an MSRP of $18,090 for the 2006 Mazda3 GX with a financed amount of $15,000, the C.O.B. for a 24-month term is $0, using an MSRP of $21,395 for the 2006 Mazda3 Sport GS with a financed amount of $20,000, the C.O.B. for a 24-month term is $0, using an MSRP of $21,095 for the Mazda5 GS with a financed amount of $20,000, the C.O.B. for a 24-month term is $0. Down payment may be required. $1,225 freight and P.D.E. for all Mazda3 models, $1,275 for all RX-8 models, and $1,390 for all Mazda5 models, $65 PPSA, licence, insurance, taxes and other dealer charges are extra. *Offers available on retail leases of new 2006 RX-8 GS, 2006 Mazda3 sedan GX, 2006 Mazda3 Sport GS and 2006 Mazda5 GS. Total lease obligation for the 2006 Mazda RX-8 GS (T4SF66AA00) is $13,171 including down payment of $5,995. Total lease obligation for the 2006 Mazda3 sedan GX (D4XS56AE00) is $7,141 including down payment of $2,845. Total lease obligation for the 2006 Mazda3 Sport GS (D5SD56AC00) is $7,621 including down payment of $2,845. Total lease obligation for the 2006 Mazda5 GS (E6SD56AC00) is $14,847 including down payment of $2,895. For other models see your dealer for details. Lease payment includes freight and P.D.E. of $1,225 for all Mazda3 models, $1,275 for all RX-8 models and $1,390 for all Mazda5 models. PPSA registration fee of $34.19 for a 24-month term and $51.31 for a 48-month term extra. Don't even think about a security deposit. It'd just mean more paperwork for us. And besides: we like you. 20,000 km per year mileage allowance applies; if exceeded, additional 12¢ per km applies. 25,000 km leases also available. Licence, insurance, taxes and other dealer charges extra. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Limited quantities available. Dealer order or trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers available from August 2, 2006 for a limited time only. Lease and Finance on approved credit for qualified customers only. See your dealer for details. No payments for 90 days (90 days APR deferral) applies to purchase finance offers on new in-stock 2006 Mazdas, except Tribute & MPV. No interest charges will accrue during the first 60 days of the finance contract. After this period interest starts to accrue and the purchaser will repay principal and interest monthly over the term of the contract. Dealer to make your first month lease payment on new in-stock 2006 Mazdas, except Tribute & MPV. Offer available on 24­60 month leases. Advanced payment options not included. Ladies and gents that's Dodge Viper/Corvette Z06 country. As director Thai-Tang said, the power scenario echoes the original GT500 experience, which also "under promised and over delivered." Thankfully, Carroll Shelby's involvement goes well beyond the use of his famous name. According to Jay O'Connell, chief technical engineer at SVT, Shelby was a driving factor, persuading Ford brass to invest additional time and money in key areas of the Cobra's development. From the summer of '04 on, Shelby had two pilot cars and was a key voice in the suspension and tire setup. All told, four key areas were focused on with the tighter setup: spring rates; damper tuning; bigger, stiffer stabilizer bars; and stiffer bushings. While the front suspension is an independent MacPherson strut design, enthusiasts will note that, unlike the last Cobra, the 2007 model does not switch to an independent rear setup. Apparently, Shelby was behind this decision as well. Not only is the solid rear axle with coil springs cheaper to produce, but also, he said, it results in less power loss to the rear wheels. It's here where the GT500 distances itself most from its Chevrolet and Dodge competitors. While the suspension is plenty taunt, it's sprung slightly softer than its counterparts. On the infield course at California Speedway and the back roads outside Berkeley, it showed a preference for sweeping turns rather then abrupt transitions -- more a Grand Tourer than a twisty track-tackler. Cosmetically, the GT500 wears new bumpers with a functional front air splitter and a rear diffuser (again inspired by the GT) that reduces lift to near zero. There's a "ducktail" spoiler on the rear deck and 255/45ZR18 wheels up front and meaty 285/40ZR18s in back, using the same tire compound as the GT. I've never been a huge fan of the new Mustang's retro looks (why repeat something we've seen before?), but must admit the design comes into its own in Cobra guise. Four-piston Brembo brakes clamp down on 14-inch discs up front, while in the rear, the Mustang GT's discs and single piston calipers carryover, providing good stopping power. There is nary a Mustang badge on the car, all replaced by Carroll Shelby's coiled snake logo. The new "Powerdome" hood has a suggestive bulge to clear the engine's supercharger. It also wears two air extractor vents, a design element that came directly from the Mustang's GrandAm Cup program. After one of the FR500C racecars actually tore its hood off at speed, engineers fabricated the vents to let air and heat escape from under the bonnet. Inside, all GT500s wear new front seats with better lateral support and a unique steering wheel, both embossed with the Cobra logo. The speedometer and tachometer finished in SVT's trademark white, have been swapped for a better view of shift points. The chrome trim is now finished in satin aluminum. The Shelby convertibles switch from vinyl to cloth tops, using the same material Jaguar employs on the XK. Audio systems include the standard 500-watt Shaker system and the optional 1,000-watt Shaker with two subwoofers -- as Ford says, at $1,095, that's only $1.09 per watt. There's also the GT premium interior trim package, which unlike the U.S., is standard in Canada, adding alloy pedals and a leatherwrapped dash top and centre console. While all U.S. dealers will sell the Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, in Canada only our 27 certified SVT outlets will market the car. (Special Vehicle Team dealers earn the ranking with a shop and sale team trained in Ford performance products.) With the almighty GT going out of production this year, the GT500 is charged with taking the reins as Ford's "pace car for an entire company." It certainly has the power, poise and presence to take on the role, but perhaps more important, is its price. You see, to me, supercars are easily built -- their sky-high price means there are barrels of cash allotted for development. Ford has crafted a halo car, combining heritage and high performance know-how, within a budget and with a low sticker price. That is a greater testament to its ability, than any six-figure exotic could ever be