AC Cars have taken the covers off the new 2023 Cobra GT Roadster, with two V8 engine options and manual transmission for the enthusiast.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, AC Cars have evolved the iconic Cobra even further. Also well known as the Shelby Cobra, the sports car has been around since the early 1960s and the new GT Roadster has now made its debut in London. AC Cars are claiming it is an all-new design, which will be available in both left and right-hand drive to satisfy different markets.
The new AC Cobra GT comes after a multi-million-euro investment from AC Cars, and completely reinterprets the original Cobra from 1962. Lightweight materials and a big V8 engine keep the ethos of the original Cobra well and truly alive.
The AC Cobra GT Has A Lightweight Carbon Body
The Cobra has always been light, and that’s evident in the latest model. The new Cobra GT sports a carbon-composite body, applied to an advanced extruded aluminum spaceframe chassis. AC Cars say it is the lightest designed for an open-top car. Weight wise, the Cobra GT weighs 3,197 lbs or 1,450 kg while the body itself weighs only 110 lbs, or 50 kg. AC Cars worked to ensure the weight distribution and center of gravity are further optimized. These work to enhance handling and agility. A new chassis sees the length of the Cobra GT only extend by 4.3 inches, or 110 mm versus the Cobra Mk VI.
The Cobra GT has grown in size over the original Cobra, but it is still smaller than many modern counterparts. The cabin is well adapted to accommodate those who are over six-feet tall, something sometimes tricky with modern sports cars. More modern touches to the design include the thicker windshield and the flush doorhandles, as well as the carbon fiber outlines across the fenders and rocker panels. LED daytime lamps are a very 21st century feature for the Cobra GT’s headlights. Under the hood the Cobra GT feels very old-school with big V8 power.
V8 Cobra Power Comes With A Manual Transmission
Two engine options are available with the new Cobra. The Cobra GT can have either a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine or a supercharged version. In standard configuration, the V8 will produce 454 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. While in supercharged form, the power is increased to 654 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque, a jump of 200 hp over the standard V8. Gearheads will be happy that a six-speed manual transmission is available to choose from. But there is also a 10-speed automatic with steering-wheel shift paddles.
The performance is very impressive, with the Cobra GT able to go from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. In terms of the top speed, AC Cars revealed earlier in 2023 that the Roadster will reach 173 mph with ease, as fast as many rival sports cars. AC Cars also worked on the interior, with stunning leatherwork and upholstery and a mix of modern fabrics and more traditional materials. Many of the components within the cabin are all hand-finished, a custom seldom seen on other vehicles.
How Many New AC Cobra GTs Will Be Made?
As you may imagine, the new Cobra GT is a very limited model. Only 250 units are coming from the British automaker, and the first year of production is already allocated. When orders for the next batch open up again, the cost is around $358,055 which certainly puts the car in a premium price bracket. At the moment, there is no official word on American availability. But the inclusion of a left-hand drive version would suggest that is in AC Cars thinking. You can at least register your interest in the new Cobra, however.
The car is also road legal, meaning you don’t need to go to a closed course to enjoy the V8 power. The Cobra would be at home on the racetrack though, with massive brakes and race tuned suspension allowing the Cobra to really shine in the corners.
The New Cobra GT Is A Natural Evolution Of The Original Design
The actual design of the new Cobra GT is very striking. The oval grille and round headlights and the flared wheel arches reminding us of the original 1960s Cobra. It is only the bigger wheels and the thicker windshield, flush doorhandles and body-color mirrors that give it away as a modern car. The style of the interior and the modern center console screen also reveal the cars modern nature.
However, the cabin still feels quite analogue in true Cobra fashion. While it also improves upon it and provides a more comfortable driving experience overall.
