LONDON: AC Cars, Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer - having been in business since 1901, will unveil its new model, the AC Cobra GT Roadster, this April with the first customers then given the opportunity to see the car for themselves at exclusive spring and summer preview events in Europe.
The all new high-performance roadster is the return of one of motoring’s most famous names. With a clean sheet design, the AC Cobra GT Roadster is a cutting-edge modern sports car, produced using the latest technology and engineering processes, yet it remains faithful to the spirit of the original AC Cobra from the 1960s.
A highly accomplished and usable GT sports car, the new model shares no components with the original yet is instantly recognisable.
Once again powered by the V8 petrol engine, but this time delivering up to 654bhp and 780Nm. With the choice of a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic gearbox in a car weighing under 1,500kg, acceleration will be impressive – with a 0-100kph sprint of around 3.4s. The car's soundtrack is expected to be equally emotional.
The new AC Cobra uses a highly advanced extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis developed specifically for the car.
Extremely strong and light, the new chassis allows for the perfect layout as well as optimised suspension geometry and weight distribution. Incorporating competition derived engineering, the car is a pure-bred sports car with phenomenal handling and performance.
The new chassis has a wheelbase of 2570mm, 284 mm longer than the AC Cobra Mk. VI, yet the car’s overall length has gown only 110mm, up to 4225mm.
The car’s track has also been optimised to give it a wider stance, which, along with the car’s weight distribution and centre of gravity, has drastically improved handling and agility.
Styled by a team of world class designers, the exterior bodywork and interior of the new AC Cobra retains a modern personality but with a timeless aesthetic, and incorporates some of the latest materials and technology.
The interior includes hand finished unique elements, unseen in the automotive world before, and the augmentation of analogue instruments with Digital Glass displays – a bespoke combination.
Substantially improved ergonomics mean that the cabin suits drivers of all sizes, with the space afforded by the new chassis design providing a high level of comfort and refinement.
The cabin fuses both analogue instrumentation and digital technology to enhance the driving experience.
The new Advanced Driver Information Center (ADIC) technology shows all relevant engine information in direct eyeline, without disrupting the outstanding interior design or creating unwanted reflections on the windscreen.
Highly equipped as standard, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster will include features such as electric windows, climate control and a sat nav/infotainment system. A full list of options will be detailed at the car’s launch.
With orders already taken, following the release of the new AC Cobra’s first details last December 2022, the car’s limited production means customers will need to act quickly to secure one of the first cars due in 2024.
The new AC Cobra GT Roadster is available to order for clients worldwide,
It is expected to cost from £285,000 (RM1.5mil) including VAT in the UK, with prices varying according to exchange rates and taxes in the country of delivery.
With its own facilities in the UK and Germany, AC Cars is working with leading industry suppliers for the AC Cobra’s design and development, and construction of the new car heralds the return of European production for the company’s vehicles. In addition to its new Donington HQ, AC Cars will continue to expand its development and production capabilities in the UK.
