AC has recently launched the latest iteration of its famed Cobra sports car – the Cobra GT Roadster. This vehicle is a true powerhouse, producing an impressive 654bhp, making it the most potent road car ever made by the British brand. While the GT Roadster appears to be a classic Cobra at first glance, it’s actually an entirely new model that’s been constructed from the ground up. AC has used lightweight materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium to create this modern masterpiece.
The latest version of the Cobra boasts a brand-new aluminium spaceframe chassis that was designed from scratch. It is longer, wider, and stronger than its predecessor, developed in collaboration between AC and Cecomp, a renowned Italian engineering company. The new platform has helped lower the car’s centre of gravity, improve weight distribution, and enhance the vehicle’s handling capabilities. Furthermore, the new Cobra packs a powerful punch under the hood, thanks to a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 Coyote engine that delivers an impressive 654bhp and 575lb/ft of torque. With this power, the GT Roadster can achieve a 0-60mph speed in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 173mph. The vehicle comes with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
The GT Roadster now boasts a carbon fibre composite body that combines classic elements with modern features. While the car’s overall profile remains similar to its predecessor, it now comes with larger doors, increased interior space, and a detachable roof. LED headlights have also been added to the design. Icona, an Italian design house, collaborated with AC to overhaul the Cobra’s styling. The new roadster, according to Samuel Chuffart, Icona’s Global Design Director, honours the original car’s past while integrating technological advancements. The GT Roadster’s interior has classic touches like leather-trimmed fixed-back bucket seats, four-point harness, and chrome roll-over hoops. But don’t let the retro design fool you; this car comes equipped with modern comforts like electric windows, climate control, and an infotainment system. Additionally, the platform was designed to fit drivers of all shapes and sizes, ensuring tall drivers with big feet can comfortably get behind the wheel.
The instrumentation of the AC Cobra features a mix of analogue gauges and an “Advanced Driver Information Centre,” which is expected to be a digital panel between the dials displaying coolant temperature, boost pressure, and oil pressure. The Mustang has a similar system, and as the new Cobra utilizes its engine, it makes sense to use its gauges. AC is the oldest operating vehicle manufacturer in Britain, founded in London in 1901. However, due to various changes in ownership, manufacturing operations have shifted abroad. AC is starting to return to its roots with a new headquarters in Lincolnshire, committing to bringing production back to Europe with the launch of the Mk7 Cobra. While the location for production remains unconfirmed, AC intends to expand production and development operations within the UK. The new AC Cobra GT Roadster is expected to go on sale in the UK in April 2023, with prices starting from £285,000, and deliveries beginning in 2024.
