AC CARS UNVEILS UPGRADED COBRA GT WITH CARBON FIBER BODYWORK
AC Cars has unveiled a significant upgrade to one of the most iconic names in British sports car history: the AC Cobra GT Roadster with carbon fibre bodywork. While the Cobra name has been in continuous use since the original Shelby Cobra of 1962, this new generation represents the most technically sophisticated version ever produced, combining the visual DNA of the original with a modern aluminium spaceframe chassis, bespoke carbon composite bodywork, and a supercharged American V8 that would have seemed like science fiction to the engineers who built the first car.
Engineering: Carbon Fibre Over an Aluminium Spaceframe
The AC Cobra GT Roadster is built on a modern aluminium spaceframe chassis developed in partnership with Icona Design Group and Cecomp Spa, the Italian engineering house behind several notable limited-production performance cars. The bodywork is carbon composite throughout, keeping overall weight to 1,450 kg (3,196 lbs) despite the car's slightly larger dimensions relative to the original Cobra. The wheelbase measures 2,570 mm, longer than the original, which translates to improved proportions and a more comfortable driving position without sacrificing the fundamental roadster character.
Power comes from a supercharged 5.0-litre Ford Coyote V8 delivering 654 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters. In flagship specification, 0-60 mph arrives in 3.4 seconds and top speed exceeds 170 mph. Climate control and power windows are included, acknowledging that a car at this price point needs to function as a grand tourer as well as a performance roadster.
Limited Production: 250 Units Per Year
AC Cars is limiting global production to 250 examples per year, a deliberate choice to maintain exclusivity and ensure quality control. The car was officially presented on 12 May 2023 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. First-year production was fully subscribed before deliveries begin, and the waiting list extends into 2028. The Cobra GT Roadster is also available with a Coupe body, priced at approximately $320,500, offering a more aerodynamic hardtop alternative for those who want year-round usability.
The limited run and the provenance of the Cobra name mean that every example is expected to be a strong collector proposition from the moment of delivery. AC Cars' decision to retain the original car's proportions while updating every structural and mechanical component beneath them is a masterclass in heritage brand management.
A Line from 1962 to Today
The original AC Ace became the Shelby Cobra when Carroll Shelby convinced AC Cars to fit Ford's small-block V8 into the lightweight British roadster in 1962. The resulting car changed motorsport history, winning GT class at Le Mans and outrunning everything on American roads. The lineage from that car to the Cobra GT Roadster is direct: AC Cars has held the Cobra name through decades of ownership changes, and the new car honours that legacy by refusing to update the exterior language beyond recognition while investing heavily in what sits beneath the skin.
For those drawn to bespoke, limited-production sports cars built with a genuine point of view, the TheArsenale Cars collection features an exceptional range of performance machines, including the Delage D12 F1-inspired hypercar, the Salaff C2 coachbuilt supercar, and the Apex AP-1 electric sports car.
Photo: AC Cars
