Wednesday 9th December 2009

'No Compromise' Cobra Unleashed

New 650hp replica gets race suspension and a Porsche transaxle

---

This latest contribution to the fad for 're-engineering the classics' looks a bit tasty - matching a Cobra-type composite body to a 'clean sheet design' chassis, stuffed with a twin-turbocharged 6.3-litre Ford V8 and driving through a Porsche 930 five-speed transaxle.

The car is the CB1 from Bell Engineering, who says its new machine "represents the engineered blending of modern automotive and racing technology with one of the all time high performance legends, the venerable 427 Cobra."

"The ultimate performance version of this classic powered by a twin turbocharged, 385 cubic inch V8, delivering a track tearing 650hp and 640lb ft of torque," boasts the company.

"Meld this brutal power with a race designed chassis and modern suspension components for precise control, then add an ergonomically corrected cockpit and you have the most potent, most useable, most enjoyable evolution of the 427 Cobra."

How useable? Well according to the company's own estimates, the CB1 should knock off 0-60mph in 2.85secs, run 10.5sec quarter miles and pull 1.15gs of lateral acceleration.

Although this prototype has a glass fibre body, Bell says it will build customer cars in carbon or even proper 'alloominum'. You can find out more at the Bell Engineering website, but sadly not how much you're going to have to pay for this beast, as prices remain TBC.

[cazzer]

Just what the world needs, "another Cobra".
It will sit nicely next to the "another seven" announced yesterday.

Yawn.

[soad]

650bhp, now you're talking! Yes yes yes (i just hope it handles well enough ).

Edited by soad on Wednesday 9th December 10:32

[GingerWizard]

I like very much.... Very much indeed Mr Bond......

[Mr MoJo]

This has just been added to my 'must buy when numbers come up' list.

[pilchardthecat]

I shall reserve judgement pending the price.

I am fully expecting to be disappointed, and to find myself thinking "but i could have x for that much" or "i could have y and enough cash left over to take the kids to disneyland"

[aarondrs]

I must admit that the whole Cobra thing leaves me a little cold these days. I've seen a few in the flesh and have really liked them but this is just another one. If that's petrolhead blasphemy then so be it.

With all the work done on this as seen in the body panel off pics I would have thought something a little original would have been better. Something like this needs original bodywork akin to a Marcos or TVR or Wiesman or whatever. Why go to all that work and then add a poor copy of a legend.

[ZesPak]

cazzer said:

Just what the world needs, "another Cobra".
It will sit nicely next to the "another seven" announced yesterday.

Yawn.

Just what the world needs, a 650hp, sub 3-sec 0-60 car

[phib]

Looks like a death trap to me wouldnt want to crash it !!! Or to be more specific be hit from behind where the fuel tank seems to be !!

Phib

[cazzer]

ZesPak said:

cazzer said:

Just what the world needs, "another Cobra".
It will sit nicely next to the "another seven" announced yesterday.

Yawn.

Just what the world needs, a 650hp, sub 3-sec 0-60 car

Not arguing that.
But why does it have to look like another bloody cobra?

[dinkel]

soad said:

650bhp, now you're talking! Yes yes yes (i just hope it handles well enough ).

Edited by soad on Wednesday 9th December 10:32

About 300 brake is nuff for a Cob for public roads . . .

Looks a hoot though. Doesn't Cheng Lims Cob boasts about this power? Now that's a scary SOB when in anger.

[soad]

I agree that 300-odd bhp is enough for most on the road, but this beast meant to be mostly raced surely.

Edited by soad on Wednesday 9th December 11:13

[dinkel]

In what series?

I was in a 600 brake NA 383 Ultima CanAm last spring: whoah!

[andy_roe]

Looks good. I've always like the Cobra! Interesting use of a rear mounted Porsche gearbox to balance the car a bit better which should also help tame all that power a bit better!

[B Oeuf]

aarondrs said:

I must admit that the whole Cobra thing leaves me a little cold these days. I've seen a few in the flesh and have really liked them but this is just another one. If that's petrolhead blasphemy then so be it.

With all the work done on this as seen in the body panel off pics I would have thought something a little original would have been better. Something like this needs original bodywork akin to a Marcos or TVR or Wiesman or whatever. Why go to all that work and then add a poor copy of a legend.

I think this is just to show what can be done, I've no doubt you could put any body on it

[shalmaneser]

This looks brisk!

[TOO BADD]

phib said:

Looks like a death trap to me wouldnt want to crash it !!! Or to be more specific be hit from behind where the fuel tank seems to be !!

Phib

I would'nt worry about that, cos when the fibreglass melts from the turbo heat and sets the whole thing on fire the last thing you will be worrying about is someone hitting you up the arse. ( assuming you order a f/glass one )

Edited by TOO BADD on Wednesday 9th December 11:57

[White-Noise]

That looks insane. Arent the components in the engine bay looking somewhat exposed though around the wheels?

Wouldnt mind a spin in it though

[B19GRR]

phib said:

Looks like a death trap to me wouldnt want to crash it !!! Or to be more specific be hit from behind where the fuel tank seems to be !!

Phib

Speaking of fuel tanks, they look tiny! I can't help think that a 6.3l TT engine is going to suck them dry fairly quickly.

Cheers,
Rob

[Oddball RS]

Can't really see what this brings to the party that a GD euro doesn't, mine had 480Bhp and weighed in at 940kg and you really dont want turbos, they will just spoil the noise.

[GTRene]

looks oke, but in such car I would like seats with a headrest or Cobra seats