In 2013, the penultimate year of the fifth-generation Mustang, the GT received an 8-horsepower boost for its 5.0-liter Coyote V8. However, the Cobra Jet stands as a distinct breed, diverging from the series-production GT.
Designated as M-FR500-CJ, the 2013 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet emerges as a purpose-built drag racer, priced at $85,490 for the naturally aspirated version and $92,990 for the supercharged variant, equivalent to nearly $130,000 adjusted for inflation.
Among enthusiasts, Rod Heltzel’s 2013 Super Cobra Jet, chassis #30, garners attention. In a striking black hue at Texas Motorplex, it stands alongside Herman Young’s blue Demon 170, known as Demonology, famed for its prowess in racing videos.
While specific quarter-mile times remain undisclosed, Heltzel’s Super Cobra Jet outperforms the Demon 170 in launches and quarter-mile runs. Equipped with race wheels, Mickey Thompson drag radials, and skinnies, Heltzel’s model clocks a commendable 8.79-second quarter-mile time.
Contrastingly, Dodge boasts a 1.66-second 0-60 mph time and an 8.91-second quarter-mile run at 151.17 mph for the Demon 170, aided by lightweight features like carbon wheels and a single-seat configuration.
Eclipsing its counterparts, the Demon 170 ranks as the most potent series-production muscle car, delivering 1,025 horsepower and 945 pound-feet of torque on the E85. As Dodge transitions to the STLA Large-based Charger, set to offer electric variants, the segment awaits the potential resurgence of the Camaro as an EV, marking a notable shift in automotive trends.