UK-based car company AC Cars has been assembling hand-crafted roadsters inspired by the iconic Shelby Cobra for years now. The production volume mostly hasn’t exceeded 100 units per year, but things are poised to change soon with the introduction of the Cobra Coupe.
Unlike its roadster counterpart, the Coupe draws inspiration from a one-off AC Cobra endurance racer built for the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1964. It was the only original Cobra produced with a fixed roof.
AC Cars argues that coupes are much more demanded in the modern world compared to open-top cars, especially in key markets like North America and China. By launching the Coupe, the company expects to ramp up its production by a factor of 10 – to a total of 1,000 units per year. We hear it’s already secured the capacities necessary.
The new car will be largely based on the roadster, and will go on sale with Ford’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8 under the hood. The engine will be available with around 450 PS (444 hp / 331 kW) in naturally aspirated form and around 730 PS (720 hp / 537 kW) in turbocharged form.
A limited edition called Clubsport will also be released, with the same engine boosted to 822 PS (810 hp / 604 kW). That’s the most horsepower of any reincarnated Cobra to date. Only 99 Clubsport units will be made.
Customers will be able to choose between six-speed manual and ten-speed automatic for the transmission. The company hopes that modern materials will allow it to keep the curb weight down to 1,500 kilos (3,300 pounds) or so, so the car should be equally viable for road and track use.
Prices will start from £399,000, which converts into U.S. $535,000. The first customer deliveries are scheduled for 2027.