2023 AC Cobra GT Roadster debuts with a Coyote V8

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

UK-based AC Cars has revealed the AC Cobra GT roadster—which apparently is a modern homage to the ’60s AC Cobra/Shelby Cobra. AC didn’t disclose how many units it is building but it is currently accepting reservations. The base price is expected to start at £285,000 including VAT in the UK. The company is planning to throw an official unveiling party next month where the order holders will get to see the car in-person.

In terms of the styling, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster looks like a modified/restomod version of the original AC Cobra, similar along the lines of Singer‘s take on classic 911s. However, AC assures that the similarity is limited to the styling and the new car shares no components with the original model. The new AC Cobra apparently uses a highly advanced extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis developed specifically for the car. The company claims that the suspension has been tuned in close collaboration with “a professional UK race team”. But anyway, for those interested to know, AC claims an EU kerb weight of 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) with standard spec.

Since the car is being produced in limited numbers, the interior elements such as upholstery/leather and accents can also be bespoked to the owners’ personal tastes. The dashboard is a combo of analogue and digital displays.

Moving on to the juicy bits of the story then, the 2023 AC Cobra GT Roadster packs a 5.0L Coyote V8 supercharged engine from Ford, pumping out 488 kW (663 metric hp) and 780 Nm (575 lb-ft) of torque. The engine can be coupled with either a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic gearbox. The power-to-weight ratio is gonna be 0.35 kW/kg or close to half horsepower per kg. The official 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time is 3.4 seconds and the top speed is 278 km/h (173 mph).

The car rides on 21-inch wheels wrapped with Michelin tyres. Braking duties are handled by discs measuring 394 mm at the front and 378 mm at the rear. As for dimensions, the new AC Cobra measures 4,330 mm long, 1,960 mm wide and 1,400 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm.