The AC Brand Is Being Relaunched With Inline-Four And Electric-Powered Cobras

The AC Cobra is officially back, although you won't find a V8 under the bonnet of this new version
The AC Brand Is Being Relaunched With Inline-Four And Electric-Powered Cobras

Having cropped up only to disappear again numerous times over the last few decades, the AC brand is back. And, of course, the British marque has returned with its most iconic product - the Cobra.

The composite bodywork closely follows that of the original car - known as the Ace before it received a Shelby-fettled Ford engine - and it even still uses the same design of ladder frame as the car from the 1960s. Under the bonnet is the engine from a Mustang, but we’re not talking about the 5.0-litre Coyote V8.

Nope, the new-old Cobra ‘140 Charter Edition’ has been given the 2.3-litre Ecoboost inline-four, here producing 350bhp. That’s plenty for a car weighing 1100kg, but the acceleration figure is a little slower than we’d expect at “about six seconds”. Given that the Mustang which donated the engine is faster despite being less powerful and several hundred kilos heavier, we’re assuming AC’s number is a conservative one.

The AC Brand Is Being Relaunched With Inline-Four And Electric-Powered Cobras

The inline-four probably won’t produce the most inspiring noise, so how about a Cobra that makes almost no sound at all? Alongside the Charter Edition is the Series 1 Electric, driven by an electric powertrain providing the equivalent of 308hp and 369lb ft of torque.

It has a range of up to 150 miles, and is slightly heavier than the 140, tipping the scales at 1250kg. Again, though, the 0-62mph figure is weirdly slow considering the power-to-weight ratio, at 6.7 seconds.

Deliveries of both cars are set to begin during the last quarter of 2020. The Charter Edition is by far the cheapest of the two, with the launch version - limited to 58 units - coming in at £85,000. The Series 1 Electric, meanwhile is £138,000.

Comments

Robert Gracie

Okay thats kinda cool having an old car company return from the dead like this

07/02/2020 - 10:26 |
5 | 0
Anonymous

A straight-6 soundtrack would suit this car!

07/02/2020 - 11:18 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

or a V8

07/03/2020 - 07:56 |
3 | 0
Anonymous

Wow! Amazing

07/02/2020 - 12:15 |
0 | 0
Wogmidget

If it’s only got a four-banger they should use the AC Ace nameplate instead

07/02/2020 - 12:58 |
4 | 0
BünnyRöcket Entertainment

In reply to by Wogmidget

My thoughts exactly. The Cobra name is simply milking a dead cow.

07/02/2020 - 16:24 |
4 | 0
V-Tech and EcoBoost kicked in yo

Ok, I get paying respects to the heritage, but a ladder chassis? That’s something that should have been left in the sports cars’s past.

07/02/2020 - 12:59 |
4 | 0
Laurence Snee

Nobody wants an electric Cobra, otherwise what’s the point?

07/04/2020 - 22:20 |
1 | 0
CatHat

The only time this should be called a Cobra is when someone puts the GT350r engine in it. In my opinion a Modern Cobra would be something like a Mx5 with the same or bigger engine swap. Small Roadster, Big engine. How hard can it be?

07/05/2020 - 17:19 |
0 | 0

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