AC COBRA GT
Roadster
Starting with a clean-sheet design, the AC Cobra GT Roadster is a cutting-edge modern sports car, produced using the latest technology and engineering processes, yet it remains faithful to the spirit of the AC Cobra of the 1960s.
Starting with a clean-sheet design, the AC Cobra GT Roadster is a cutting-edge modern sports car, produced using the latest technology and engineering processes, yet it remains faithful to the spirit of the AC Cobra of the 1960s.
A legend reborn
Powered by a thunderous 5.0-litre V8 engine, delivering up to 663 PS, the unique car features a novel extruded aluminum spaceframe chassis and carbon-composite bodywork to deliver a remarkable driving experience in a highly limited-production vehicle.
Designed to be fully road legal, available in left and right-hand drive, meet homologation standards where applicable, and incorporate modern safety features, every aspect, from the styling through to ergonomics, has been considered.
A legend reborn
Powered by a thunderous 5.0-litre V8 engine, delivering up to 663 PS, the unique car features a novel extruded aluminum spaceframe chassis and carbon-composite bodywork to deliver a remarkable driving experience in a highly limited-production vehicle.
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Designed to be fully road legal, available in left and right-hand drive, meet homologation standards where applicable, and incorporate modern safety features, every aspect, from the styling through to ergonomics, has been considered.
A Fusion of Heritage, Innovation, and Exclusivity
Respecting the heritage of the Cobra legend, but challenging convention, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster represents a tour de force in both the engineering and exclusivity of its production. Just 250 examples of this cutting-edge Roadster are expected to be built for worldwide markets every year.
THE MOST ADVANCED AC COBRA EVER CONCEIVED
Significantly larger than the original AC Cobra, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster revisits the ambitions of a design that traces its roots back to the heyday of British sports cars but catches up on 50 years of evolution.
Thoroughly modern ergonomics means the car’s cabin accommodates drivers well over six-feet tall, while the car utilises modern drivetrain and control technologies to validate its grand tourer credentials.
Ensuring that the car remains instantly recognizable, despite every line being drawn anew, required a deft approach. Numerous iterations were produced before the final balanced aesthetic was penned, allowing the team the time to perfect a blueprint that also satisfied the car’s performance obligations.
Clothed in a flowing carbon-composite body, which weighs under 50 kg, the AC Cobra GT Roadster’s sinuous shape belies its overall size, yet elegantly covers the highly advanced platform lying beneath.
CABIN
Inspired by the equestrian world, as well as the work of artisans, the design, materials and composition of the AC Cobra GT Roadster’s cabin owes as much to the marque’s heritage as it does the luxury sport car genre. Retaining historic touchpoints, but still driver-centric, there is no conflict between useability and aesthetics.
HAND FINISHED AND UNIQUE
Befitting such an advanced and highly exclusive car, the AC Cobra GT Roadster’s cabin has received as much care and devotion as the rest of the design. Featuring bespoke details and unique hand finished elements unseen in the automotive world before, it underlines AC Cars’ commitment to its vehicles going forward.
PREMIUM LEATHER
The design and detailing of the AC Cobra GT Roadster’s leatherwork and upholstery are a clear differentiator for the car. Carefully blending advanced and highly resilient fabrics with traditional materials elevates the cabin, yet once again respects the car’s heritage.
SADDLE-BAG DOOR CARDS
The unique saddle-bag door cards fuse function with style, incorporating stowage space and the close handle, while a racing style door release strap reasserts the car’s competition pedigree. The innovative slide pockets either side of the transmission tunnel provide the perfect place for storing phones, and chime with the full size, carbon-fibre-shell seats trimmed to AC Car’s exacting specification and embossed with its famous logo.
BREATHTAKING AND WITH AN EPIC SOUNDTRACK
Developing up to 654bhp (663PS) and 575lb ft (780Nm) – or 454bhp (460PS) and 420lb ft (570Nm) in standard configuration – the supercharged GT Roadster is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Perfectly complementing the engines, two gearboxes are available: a 6-speed manual gearbox for purists or an advanced 10-speed automatic gearbox with steering-wheel mounted shift paddles. A performance Supercharger option will also be available, offering enhanced intake air cooling.
TECHNOLOGY
The new AC Cobra uses modern powertrain and control technology along with custom engine management, and electric power steering, and offers a choice of four vehicle modes and three steering modes. From Street to Track and to Race, each vehicle mode progressively increases throttle response, steering feel and exhaust note, while decreasing the intervention of stability control and ABS systems. For cars fitted with the 10-speed automatic gearbox, the vehicle modes also affect gear selection speed. A separate Wet mode reins in the car’s power and limits wheelspin when driving in treacherous weather. As standard, the AC Cobra GT Roadster is equipped with a friction limited slip differential but an optional Torsen® LSD will be available.
Secondary functions including HVAC, navigation and infotainment, and smartphone integration are via the 10.25-inch touch screen mounted below the main instrumentation. As standard the infotainment system comes with 2-way front speakers and 2-way rear fill speakers, delivering 250W RMS output. However, a higher fidelity system will be available, offering 3-way front speakers and 2-way rear fill speaks with a subwoofer, with 450W RMS output.
Other driver controls, such as vehicle and steering modes, are selectable by the top tier of machined toggle switches, and designed to provide relatable haptic controls, along with simpler functions such as engine start/stop, electronic handbrake and the electric windows.
Analogue dials remain front and centre for the in-relief instrument panel, providing an easy reference point to the AC Cobras of the 1960s. However, these gauges also feature augmented display technology, through the incorporation of translucent Digital Glass technology, allowing key information such as engine and road speed to be overlayed. Dramatically improving comprehension time, and reducing driver distraction, they coordinate with the Advanced Driver Information Centre (ADIC) translucent display mounted behind and just above the black Nappa leather trimmed steering wheel.
Brakes, wheels and tyres
In keeping with the rest of the car’s high-performance characteristics, the braking system is aligned with each version’s requirements: 6-piston calipers and ø 394 mm steel hybrid brake discs at the front and 4-piston calipers and ø 378 mm steel hybrid brake discs at the rear for the supercharged model – 6-piston calipers and ø 380mm steel brake discs front and single piston calipers and ø 330 mm steel brake discs at the rear for the standard car.
Ensuring that wheel choice doesn’t hamper overall performance, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster uses custom rims developed specifically for the car. With a common-sense approach, and using centre-lock style caps covering a conventional 5-stud hub, the forged and machined design matches the rest of the vehicle’s light-yet-strong mantra.
The 21-inch, 9.5 J rims fitted as standard at the front of the supercharged model weigh 14.2 kg each, while the 12J rims fitted at the rear weigh 16.5 kg each. Perfectly complementing these, the high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres fitted as standard on both versions provide precision handling with safety, while the optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres offer a track-orientated alternative.
Employing a floor-mounted Tilton racing pedal box, the calibrated brake system does without a brake booster and ensures excellent feel and feedback at any speed. Aficionados of the AC Cobra will appreciate the attention to detail in the ‘AC’ machined pedal plates.
Engineering
Developing a highly advanced extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis for the project, the engineering team have provided AC Cars with a platform fit for future models as well as the new roadster. Extremely light and with exceptional torsional rigidity, it is optimized for an open-top car yet does not impose a weight penalty. With kerb weight under 1’450 kg, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster retains the performance credentials its forebears were famous for.
The new chassis has a wheelbase of 2’570 mm, 284 mm longer than the AC Cobra Mk. VI, yet the car’s overall length has grown only 110 mm, up to 4’225 mm. The car’s track has also been optimised to give a wider stance, which, along with the car’s weight distribution and centre of gravity, drastically benefits handling and agility.
Once again, the AC Cobra draws on a formidable V8 engine for the firepower needed to deliver the speed and soundtrack respected by fans around the world. Available in two distinct configurations, the new GT Roadster comes with either a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 or a naturally aspirated version using the same modular engine.
TECHNICAL SPECS
* The values stated are based on tests with pre-series vehicles and do not relate to an individual vehicle. The actual values can deviate slightly from the stated values for the series vehicle and are not binding. Each vehicle is handmade with the utmost care and according to strict guidelines, nevertheless, there may be small deviations in the technical measured values due to the individual production. There may still be changes to the way certain elements are constructed. ** According to the EC standard, the unladen weight applies to vehicles with standard equipment. Optional equipment increases this value. The specified value includes 75 kg for the driver.
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Performance
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SUPERCHARGED
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NATURALLY ASPIRATED
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Engine
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5.0-litre
V8 Engine
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5.0-litre
V8 Engine
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Air Induction
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Supercharged
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Naturally Aspirated
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Displacement
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5038 cm³
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5038 cm³
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Peak Power*
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663
HP
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460
HP
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Top Speed*
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278 km/h
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250 km/h
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Acceleration -0100km/h*
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3.4 s
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4.5s
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Peak Torque*
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780 Nm
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570 Nm
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Brakes Front
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6-Piston, 394mm disc
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6-Piston, 380mm disc
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Brakes Rear
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4-Piston, 378mm disc
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6-Piston, 330mm disc
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Rims
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FA: 9.5 J x 21 / RA: 12 J X 21
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FA: 8.5 J x 19 / RA: 11 J X 19
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Tires
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FA: 275/35 R 21 / RA:325/30 R 21
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FA: 265/45 R 19 / RA:295/40 R 19
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DRIVETRAIN & CHASSIS
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Transmission
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6-Speed manual / 10-Speed automatic
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Frame*
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Extruded aluminium space frame
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Drivetrain
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Rear wheel drive
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Steering sytem
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Electric power steering
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BODY DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS
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Length
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4'225 mm
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Width
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1'980 mm
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Height
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1'290 mm
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Wheelbase
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2'570
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Kerb Weight**
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1'400 Kg
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Top Speed*
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278 Km/h
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