When you think of the AC Cobra, it’s the iconic Shelby Cobra 427 classic that first springs to mind, but now there’s a new player in town, and it’s the 2023 AC Cobra GT Roadster. Announced last December that a delayed Christmas present is on its way for all sports car fans, the new AC Cobra GT Roadster reveals some stunning looks. This mix of the modern and the retro are going to be reason enough for you to book one.
Fans will have to wait till April for the actual unveiling of the model but for now, AC has revealed the roadster in digital form and let the world have a glimpse at the all-new 2023 AC Cobra GT Roadster. It may share no parts with the ‘60s Cobra, but boy does it bring back some memories. Enough for all 1965 Shelby Cobra fans to sit up and take notice. Here’s the stunning AC Cobra GT Roadster and why we think it's a legend, reborn.
The 2023 AC Cobra GT Roadster Retains Its Classic, Retro Style
The first photos of the AC Cobra are here, and we have to admit, it's reason enough to buy this modernized classic, even as the full reveal will only come in April.
The oval grille, round headlights, iconic long hood, and flared wheel arches make the new AC Cobra GT Roadster look more or less exactly like the 1965 Shelby Cobra, pat down to the blue color. The big wheels and body-colored mirrors make a difference to keen eyes, but if you look close enough, modern tech emerges. Unlike the thin pillars of the past, the windshield frames come significantly thicker, and the non-chrome door handles lie flush. Touches of carbon fiber are visible in the fenders and rocker panel and the retro round headlight now bears LED daytime lamps.
The insides aren’t all that visible, but one can spot a modern steering wheel with some analog and digital displays. Think of it as your favorite classic coming back to life with the same looks but way more comfort, safety, tech, and power.
The 2023 AC Cobra GT Is A Love Letter To The Original
Had the legendary Carroll Shelby been around today, he’d probably celebrate the revival of the AC Cobra the loudest, given it was this car that birthed the Shelby Cobra and kick started his long-time partnership with the Mustang and Ford in general.
When he decided to make a sports car of his own, the only people willing to sell Shelby the chassis were AC Cars and the Cobra debuted in America in the ‘60s. They even altered the existing AC Ace for Shelby, to be able to fit in the 2.6-liter Ford Zephyr, thus paving the way for the Shelby Cobra sports car.
Later, even AC began to sell the AC Cobra to the world, as Shelby shifted his focus to the Shelby Mustang. In 2022, 60 years after the first AC Ace chassis shipped to the US, AC Cars announced the 2023 AC Cobra GT Roadster as a modern reincarnation of the legend. Now, we know what the new AC Cobra looks like, and it’s all good, with a retro twist. As per AC Cars, the 2023 Cobra GT Roadster is a grand tourer that balances “speed, agility, and balance with comfort and practicality.” It also marks the return of AC Cars to European production.
The AC Cobra GT Roadster Boasts A Beastly 654-HP V8 Engine
Sure, there was a limited-run electric AC Cobra offered in 2020. But the new AC Cobra sticks to its original roots and brings in a V8 motor. The new extruded aluminum space frame chassis comes specially built for AC Cars by an Italian company.
The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine is from Ford, of course! It is enough for 654 horsepower and 575 lb-ft torque, mated to a choice of a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. In a car that weighs a feather more than 3,300 pounds, it is more than enough to take it 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, as claimed by AC Cars, with a top speed of 173 mph.
This is also the largest AC Cobra yet, given the 2,750 mm wheelbase so larger-statured fans can rest assured, they will fit. The new AC Cobra GT Roadster also boasts excellent torsional rigidity for a superior ride in terms of both handling and comfort. There’s also a hand-finished manufacturing process involved to ensure that your AC Cobra GT will be the best when it comes to build quality.
The AC Cobra remains a haloed car, given its Le Mans and other racing wins as well, so the revival brings about an expected wave of excitement. That said, what could dampen the rush is the massive price, at more than $300,000 a pop!
Source: AC Cars