AC Cobra Series 4-electric revealed with 617hp
EV take on the Superblower has 738lb ft and can hit 62mph in 3.8 seconds. It's also got a 200-mile range
AC is ploughing ahead with its new model offensive by confirming another EV, the Series 4–electric, which arrives with one of the most potent powerplants ever fitted to a Cobra. Using 54kWh battery hardware supplied by AC’s technical partner, Derby-based Falcon Electric, the two-seater builds on the Superblower with a 617hp, 738lb ft of torque electric motor. The whole car weighs no more than 1,190kg, so 62mph appears in a predictably swift 3.8 seconds.
Range is said to be 200 miles, presumably when you’re not putting those aforementioned performance claims to the test. Given how thirsty petrol Cobras are (think back to the 7.0-litre V8 beasts), even a slightly reduced real-world number seems appropriate. AC makes no bones about its Series 4–electric; this is a car in which to emulate the style of the original, just without tailpipe emissions.
The brand is under no illusions that for some, the loss of a thumping engine kills the point of a Cobra for them entirely. Clearly the company is targeting buyers who want the feel and pizzazz of old school motoring – but without having to worry about urban restrictions or, indeed, their impact on local air quality. It’s why oily bits aside, the 4–electric has been made to look as close to identical to the 378 Superblower MkIV. If that doesn’t satisfy you, rest assured that AC is building new V8 Superblowers in 2021 as well.
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“The march of the outstandingly efficient electric AC Cobras is gathering pace now”, said boss Alan Lubinsky. “Eliminating excess weight brings positive benefits for the car’s owner. Lower overall weight reduces energy consumption, allowing the batteries to deliver a longer range and the ability to drive the car to AC’s traditional high standards for speed and acceleration which the marque has achieved over many years”.
Reservations are being taken now on the AC Cars website, with prices starting at £168,000, excluding on the road charges. The first customer cars will be ready just in time for summer of 2021. For those wanting something even more exotic, don’t forget AC is building Cobra Le Mans Electrics in 2021, too, which will be bodied in AC Heritage-made aluminium skin mimicking that of the marque’s famous 24-hour racers of the sixties. You’ll need £600k for one of those, though.
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But in 2030 you have to choose between something like this or a Leaf, then I'll be having one of these. Bring on the EV retros. In fact I hope it means we'll have all sorts of whacky coachbuilders putting well engineered electric motors into great bodyshells by then.
Secondly, if AC want to carry on making cars then they are going to have to be electric. As a previous poster said, rather this than a Leaf. Something that looks great, goes well, costs little to run and can be driven anywhere, including city centres. I can see the appeal.
I wonder how much it would cost to have an optional extra double subwoofer / speaker setup that gave a reasonable imitation of a big block v8 engine sound...
New builds/kit/component cars? Knock yourself out. Although I would agree that if you are going to build a new electric car, I would probably use a more contemporary design. Its a bit jarring, considering the car its reproducing was famed for it monstrous engine.
62mph in 3.8 seconds is terribly slow for a 1,190kg car with 738lb ft. Surely some typo somewher
But in 2030 you have to choose between something like this or a Leaf, then I'll be having one of these. Bring on the EV retros. In fact I hope it means we'll have all sorts of whacky coachbuilders putting well engineered electric motors into great bodyshells by then.
As was said on another retro electro-mod recently, if you take away the spirit of one of these classics (the noise and the smells), then really what's left other than a nice piece of auto art?
But in 2030 you have to choose between something like this or a Leaf, then I'll be having one of these. Bring on the EV retros. In fact I hope it means we'll have all sorts of whacky coachbuilders putting well engineered electric motors into great bodyshells by then.
Personally I really, really don't understand blanket petrol ban. I mean you really want to tell me that if supercars/hypercars and low volume cars like these were to remain petrol it would be a huge problem? Really? And diesel lorries somehow aren't? When's the ban on those?
Regardless, we will see electrification of cars across the board so we better get used to it. On one hand it is just a money grab using nostalgia, because let's fact it electrics do drive very differently to petrol cars and sound differently too (aren't I the master of the obvious?), but on the other hand it is possibly the only way to carry the legacy and the name forward into the coming age.
I'm on the fence on this one. To me looks like "necessary evil" situation. Of course it's only necessary because politicians don't want to think too much (or God forbid gain domain knowledge) or offend big business but do want to appear to care so they make declarations and laws that they think will get them support, no matter how illogical they are.
Yes, I hate electric cars, and the eco saps who drive them that much
There are plenty of classic cars they can butcher for electric conversions, but a car that is legendary for its epic V8 engine, it has to be the stupidest idea ever
You can hate electric cars all you want but the bottom line is, they are happening and are here to stay, whether you like it or not.
These cars are not being 'butchered', they are being made to keep the aesthetic alive. You can piss and moan about it all you want but the legislation is coming and there's literally nothing. you. can. do. about. it.
Personally I was never a huge fan of the Cobra so more power to the people making and selling these, I hope they do well.
k.
You can hate electric cars all you want but the bottom line is, they are happening and are here to stay, whether you like it or not.
These cars are not being 'butchered', they are being made to keep the aesthetic alive. You can piss and moan about it all you want but the legislation is coming and there's literally nothing. you. can. do. about. it.
Personally I was never a huge fan of the Cobra so more power to the people making and selling these, I hope they do well.
Who wants an Electric Cobra? - me in 2040 when I can't buy or fuel or tax a petrol one and I still want to see a Cobra shape on my drive. Of course, the rest of these moaners will have to just keep visiting the museums and listen to V8 sounds on their radios in the old folk's home.
Obviously this is too expensive for the masses, but volume will bring costs down to more affordable levels. Most people will need more that 2 seats, of course, but if this sort of thing can be made to work it's a glimmer of hope for the whirring, silent future we all face, no?
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