Wednesday 21st January 2009

VIDEO: British Cobra is Virtual Reality

Cobra Venom V8 concept looks brilliant. Theoretically.

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We've heard of many cars being called 'the new Cobra' over the years, but so far nothing has quite hit that very specific, mythical spot. Well British designer Jamie Martin thinks he has found a replacement with his stunning Cobra Venom V8 concept.

Like the original Shelby Cobra, the Venom V8 is an Anglo-American hybrid (no, not THAT kind of hybrid), featuring his stunning British design mated to an all-American Ford V8.

But unlike the Ford V8 in the Shelby legend, which pumped out a still-impressive 425bhp, the Venom's big block is supercharged, and would manage a colossal 524 bhp. Theoretically.

Martin, 28, is a designer living in London, and his website has images of everything from cars, to spaceships, to people not wearing very much. He claims to be a big admirer of Michael Jackson. Well, he's certainly brought us a 'Thriller' (sorry) in this video showing the car in (virtual) action. Popcorn at the ready kids...

[[AJ]]

Not a bad effort at all. Far better than a lot of crap coming out of some established design houses. It looks lovely apart from the rear light array, I'm not too keen on the looped effect. Then again, it would probably grow on me. To be a true 'new' Cobra it would need to be roofless though.

The engine in the animation sounds more like and Italian V8 than an American V8 though.

[Ollieb7]

To be true 'new' Cobra it should also have the same power to weight ratio - and if there is any modern advancement to the original it should weigh less, have less power yet be safer..... Now there IS the holy grail!

[wl606]

In the 60s an American V8 was an obvious choice as a reliable, powerful alternative to the Italian V12s the Cobra was competing against. Today, I'd would have thought a German or Japanese engine would be a better choice.

Edited by wl606 on Wednesday 21st January 11:38

[uriel]

I really hate to be negative, but how many of these stories are we going to see being called news? There are thousands of people all over the world churning out CG renders of 'concepts' they've designed, but they're no more automotive news than the machine gun and afterburner equipped cars that I'd doodle on my maths folder.

And talk of the bhp it would put out? Might as well say it'd make a colossal 1,000,000 bhp for all the credibility of the claim.

If it was released by a car company with a view to production, then maybe...but a kid in his bedroom with a copy of Max?

[louismchuge]

Slow news day?

How about some real news like the Alfa Mito GTA details that have just been released??!!

[trackcar]

.. on the other hand it looks stunning, the rear lights are fantastic ..

so, never-see-reality concept or not, it brightened my day! thankyou

[juansolo]

Very impressive!

I always liked the G350. Maybe a bit too old school Cobra for some though...

Edited by juansolo on Wednesday 21st January 12:00

[vz-r_dave]

wl606 said:

In the 60s an American V8 was an obvious choice as a reliable, powerful alternative to the Italian V12s the Cobra was competing against. Today, I'd would have thought a German or Japanese engine would be a better choice.

Edited by wl606 on Wednesday 21st January 11:38

Why would you think a German or Jap engine would be a better choice? Give me a valid reason or your talking complete rubbish.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Wednesday 21st January 12:01

[sprinter885]

I wonder how many PHers click on his web site because of the "people not wearing very much.." comment ?


Got to go now- some surfing to do ......

[juansolo]

vz-r_dave said:

wl606 said:

In the 60s an American V8 was an obvious choice as a reliable, powerful alternative to the Italian V12s the Cobra was competing against. Today, I'd would have thought a German or Japanese engine would be a better choice.

Edited by wl606 on Wednesday 21st January 11:38

Why would you think a German or Jap engine would be a better choice? Give me a valid reason or your talking complete rubbish.

Different beasts. Merkin V8's do it old school, big, simple and reliable. German/Jap kit tends to be small and clever. Depends whether you want a big hammer (which is more in keeping with the Cobra in fairness) or a precision tool.

[Fetchez la vache]

trackcar said:

..the rear lights are fantastic ..

Would they even be legal?

[wl606]

vz-r_dave said:

wl606 said:

In the 60s an American V8 was an obvious choice as a reliable, powerful alternative to the Italian V12s the Cobra was competing against. Today, I'd would have thought a German or Japanese engine would be a better choice.

Edited by wl606 on Wednesday 21st January 11:38

Why would you think a German or Jap engine would be a better choice? Give me a valid reason or your talking complete rubbish.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Wednesday 21st January 12:01

More technically advanced? If you want to keep it cheap (relatively), and retro, use an American engine. If not, like say Pagani, McLaren, Morgan, Ascari a German engine may be more desirable.

[vz-r_dave]

wl606 said:

vz-r_dave said:

wl606 said:

In the 60s an American V8 was an obvious choice as a reliable, powerful alternative to the Italian V12s the Cobra was competing against. Today, I'd would have thought a German or Japanese engine would be a better choice.

Edited by wl606 on Wednesday 21st January 11:38

Why would you think a German or Jap engine would be a better choice? Give me a valid reason or your talking complete rubbish.

Edited by vz-r_dave on Wednesday 21st January 12:01

More technically advanced? If you want to keep it cheap (relatively), and retro, use an American engine. If not, like say Pagani, McLaren, Morgan, Ascari a German engine may be more desirable.

I dont think that out weighs cost and reliability though which is a major factor in todays world. Look at the LS series engines for instance extremely cheap, extremely reliable and extremely easy to draw power from.

[Jonboy_t]

If this ever gets put into production (unlikely), I would sell my house, wife, children and possibly internal organs to get one. I love it!! I doubt it will ever happen though, as some penis in the health and safety department will deem it unhealthy and unsafe and probably just too much fun for us fragile members of the public. Either that or some tree hugging psycho will nail his eyes to the tyres so you can't take it anywhere because the Zimbabwean sand bat could catch a cough if we drive it.

I want one. I want one. I want one. I want one. I want one. I want one. I want one. I want one.

[666 SVT]

Couldn't hear a Supercharger? Needs to steal the soundtrack from the Shelby GT500 promo vid
with that lovely supercharger whine.

[roland82]

At lastmy first chance to post this...

[xjr88]

Gallardo V10 engine samples in a video of a "New Cobra" V8? Poor show old boy

[zagato]

Err... ... Viper

[Gas Man]

Had to watch it twice!
Looks superb.

Now if TVR have ANY plans to start making cars again they need to get this boy NOW!


But I thought the Cobra name has been registered by Mr Shelby?
So is this going to be the next Shelby offering?

[neh321]

Gas Man said:

Had to watch it twice!
Looks superb.

Now if TVR have ANY plans to start making cars again they need to get this boy NOW!


But I thought the Cobra name has been registered by Mr Shelby?
So is this going to be the next Shelby offering?

Doesn't the Cobra name actually belong to Ford?