One of Britain’s oldest vehicle manufacturers, AC Cars, has just unveiled a modern-day version of the iconic AC Cobra dubbed the GT Roadster. The new car was presented at a special event hosted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The new AC Cobra GT Roadster is heavily inspired by the original model but has been made much more modern and will be offered in left- and right-hand drive configurations. Underpinning the car is a new chassis with a 284 mm (11.1 inch) longer wheelbase than the original vehicle and the track has also been increased. The chassis is made from extruded aluminum while the bodywork is made from carbon composites and weighs just 50 kg (110 lbs).
Read: 645-HP AC Cobra GT Roadster Reinvents The Original Snake
AC Cars notes that the new Cobra GT Roadster will come standard with a thumping 5.0-liter supercharger V8 that delivers 454 hp and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque in standard configuration and 654 hp and 575 lb-ft (780 Nm) in the flagship version. Shoppers can have the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic ‘box with paddle shifters.
AC Cars has revealed that the flagship version of the Cobra GT Roadster can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.4 seconds. Playing a key role in its performance is the fact that it tips the scales at a mere 1,450 kg (3,196 lbs).
The exterior design of the vehicle is almost identical to the original but the proportions have changed slightly given that it is a little bit bigger. Some of the parts have also been modernized. For example, the car comes standard with new headlights with LED daytime running lights and also sits on much larger wheels.
The interior of the car is also new. The dashboard consists of plenty of circular gauges while a three-spoke steering wheel is fitted as standard. There is also a Start/Stop button hidden beneath a red flap that can be easily flipped open, similar to that of various Lamborghini models. A small infotainment screen is also featured.
“Our goal was to surpass the expectations of our esteemed clientele, who have grown accustomed to the finest in automotive luxury,” AC Cars chief executive David Conza said after the premiere. “The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from the attendees confirms that we have well and truly exceeded those expectations. The AC Cobra GT Roadster is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. We are delighted that customers could join us from around the world, and thank them for placing the upmost faith in us.”
