The next AC Cobra will wear the familiar skin but will be the “most advanced” model with a snake-shaped nameplate.
Air-conditioned car teased cobra GT two seats ahead of its launch in the northern spring of 2023, coinciding with the brand’s 122nd anniversary. Full pricing and specifications will be released at that time.
The company says it was conceived as a “true grand tourer, combining speed, agility and balance with comfort and practicality” while offering “a new level of refinement”. with “performance-oriented steering and handling”.
The Cobra GT will use an extruded aluminum space chassis, developed specifically for the Cobra GT by Icona Design Group and Cecomp Spa in Italy.
AC Cars says it uses a completely new, highly advanced architecture and hand-finished manufacturing process to achieve new levels of quality and torsional stiffness.
It will also be the largest Cobra with a wheelbase of 2570mm. It’s also designed for everyday comfort, with air conditioning, power windows, a removable hardtop and a “sophisticated in-car entertainment system”.
As expected from a Cobra, it will use a V8 engine. While AC Cars has not specified the displacement or whether it will once again be taken from Ford, it does say it will produce 487kW of power and 780Nm of torque.
Cobra GT will be equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Weighing in at under 1500kg, the Cobra GT should be blazing fast – AC Cars promises a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) acceleration time of around 3.6 seconds.
It worked with “industry leading suppliers” to design and develop the Cobra GT, which will be manufactured in Europe.
AC Cars says the Cobra GT is the result of three years of strong investment and development.
Although the teaser images are blurred, we can see the styling faithful to the 61-year-old Cobra roadster, with its single round headlights and curvaceous curves.
The company promises a high degree of customization, with a bespoke service that allows owners to “seal their individuality onto their Cobra”.
The current Cobra is produced in both the UK and the US, and in the latter market is known as the Shelby Cobra.
Visually, it has remained largely unchanged since its debut in 1962, although under the bonnet various powertrains have been used.
