The Cobra SVT tail section. In past years, the Cobra's ride could be rather wild and woolly on any pavement that wasn't billiard-table smooth, but this year Team Mustang engineers went to great lengths to design an independent rear suspension that would bolt up in place of the solid axle installed on other Mustangs. The new unit even uses the same mounting holes as the solid axle. The beauty of an independent rear suspension is that it allows each wheel to react to bumps individually, rather than bouncing the whole axle off the ground. According to Ford, the rear track is 1.2 inches wider and each wheel has more available travel.
Weight distribution is better, too.
Absolutely, although the difference is not as pronounced as one might expect. On smooth roads, such as freeway exit ramps, it seemed the back wheels gripped the road tighter. On bumpy turns the back wheels were much less likely to skitter, especially when the power was applied. I would guess that the solid axle is cheaper. If you want to retrofit your current Mustang, the new suspension will bolt right up.