New AC Cobra Coupe one step closer to reality
Just as we bemoan the lack of new-to-buy coupes, one of the Holy Grail prospects rears its fixed-head...
You may recall that back in the summer of 2024, AC Cars floated the idea of a Cobra Coupe - essentially a hardtop version of the existing roadster, utilising the same aluminium chassis. With a design inspired by the AC A98 (i.e. the fixed-head Cobra Coupe that famously raced at Le Mans), the renderings certainly looked the part, and the firm hoped to kick off deliveries in 2025. Well, seemingly as ever with low volume British carmaker timescales, that evidently proved a touch optimistic - or possibly delayed by the Roadster’s order book, and/or the decision to relaunch Zenos - because here we are in 2026 with AC taking a second bite of the unveiling cherry.
But who are we to complain? When it comes to V8-powered coupes these days (as Cargurus research reminded us yesterday), late is absolutely better than never - and the new, three-dimensional prototype suggests there are many additional reasons to be cheerful about AC bringing the first-ever Cobra Coupe to production. For one thing, the new carbon fibre body, produced in-house following the acquisition of its supplier, fulfils the promise of what was previously just pixels. It is hardly possible to imagine a year when the AC Cobra (albeit larger than the original model) will not look terrific - doubly so in the wake of so many recent design duds.
As to what is occurring beneath that body, it is mostly as AC previously described it. Which means that the newcomer will retain the Ford-built 5.0-litre V8, and make it available in either naturally aspirated or supercharged format. The former will provide the rear wheels (via either a six-speed manual or ten-speed auto) with 456hp via a conventional LSD; the latter, 730hp through a Torsen diff. The prospect of a Clubsport Edition, limited to 99 examples, is again on the cards, with its output increased to 810hp. This ought to be plenty, when you consider that AC is targeting a kerbweight of less than 1,600kg.
Ultimately, however, the firm wants to be building more cars, not fewer. Alan Lubinsky, AC’s chairman, reportedly said that he regarded it as the brand’s first proper volume model (based on the potential interest from overseas markets) and hopefully the catalyst for AC to increase annual production beyond 1,000 units. As that would entail a new factory in the UK (AC’s current output is part-built in Germany), it is likely more long-term aspiration than short-term objective - but the ambition is admirable, nevertheless. Especially when the Cobra Coupe is now expected to cost from around £400k. All being well, the firm expects to begin manufacturing its newcomer next year, ahead of customer deliveries in 2028. Fingers crossed, eh?
"As that would entail a new factory in the UK (AC’s current output is part-built in Germany), it is likely more long-term aspiration than short-term objective - but the ambition is admirable, nevertheless. Especially when the Cobra Coupe is now expected to cost from around £400k"
Won't happen... will happen,
I know it weighs about twice as much as an original Cobra but 1600kg isn't that heavy by modern standards; surely they could have made the brakes work adequately without utterly ruining the overall looks of the car?
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19633494
k off with their big wheels. The original designs took account of the wheel size. They dust look like hot wheels cars.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff