AC Cars has unveiled the production AC Cobra GT Coupe, arriving on the marque’s 125th anniversary and exactly 60 years after its spiritual predecessor – the AC A98 Coupe – raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Cobra GT Coupe follows the marque’s GT Roadster, which entered production earlier this year. The two cars share around 75 percent of their engineering, including the same lightweight extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis and 5.0-litre Ford Coyote V8, available in naturally aspirated or supercharged form.
Although inspired by the 1960s, the GT Coupe’s design embraces modern materials and engineering. The striking bodywork is made entirely from carbon fibre and its double-bubble roofline lowers the drag coefficient without sacrificing headroom. The roof slopes down to a Kammtail rear that mirrors the A98 and improves aerodynamic efficiency.
While AC Cars credits the A98 Coupe as its inspiration, the fixed-roof Cobra bears a stronger resemblance to the legendary Shelby Cobra Daytona, conceived by Carroll Shelby and Peter Brock to conquer Ferrari at the 1965 FIA GT World Championship.
In its most potent, supercharged form, the 5.0-litre V8 develops 720bhp and 605lb ft of torque, enough to push the sub-1600kg machine from 0-60mph in under 3.5 seconds. The naturally aspirated version, meanwhile, produces 450bhp and 410lb ft. Both powertrains can be specified with either a six-speed manual transmission or a ten-speed automatic.
Inside, the GT Coupe is designed as a grand tourer rather than a stripped-out track car. At 4225mm long, 1980mm wide and with a 2570mm wheelbase, it is significantly larger than an original Cobra, and AC says the extra space means the cabin can comfortably accommodate drivers over six feet tall.
Bespoke hand-finished upholstery and heritage-inspired details are paired with a Driver Information Centre screen mounted behind the steering wheel, machined toggle switchgear and classic AC pedals. Climate control, electric windows and an infotainment touchscreen are fitted as standard.
GT Coupe prices start from £234,300 for the naturally aspirated model and from £256,300 for the full-fat supercharged version (excluding taxes). Each car is built to order and customer deliveries are forecast to begin in 2028, after initial GT Roadster deliveries are completed.
‘As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the company, I want to thank the entire team for their dedication as we move from a boutique manufacturer to a global performance brand,’ said AC Cars CEO David Conza. ‘We will still retain the craftsmanship and exclusivity that our clients respect.’
The company’s ambition to become a ‘global performance brand’ will see it expand production from around 100 hand-built cars per year to up to 1000 across all models. AC says the GT Coupe will be key to breaking into new markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.
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