Currently reading: Reborn AC Cobra receives 580bhp V8 version
Modernised take on the iconic Cobra now offers four-cylinder, V8 and electric drivetrains

The revived AC Cars marque has unveiled a recreated version of the iconic V8-powered Cobra.

Soon to join the recently revealed electric and 2.3-litre ‘Charter Edition’ versions of the reborn Cobra on sale in the UK, the Cobra 378 Superblower MkIV was originally made available for limited sale in 1998 and has been revived for 2020. 

It takes its power from a 6.2-litre supercharged Chevrolet engine, as found in the C7-generation Corvette ZO6. Full performance details have not been given, but a power output of 580bhp represents a boost of around 150bhp over the Ford V8 used by the original 1965 Cobra 427.

The Superblower sits atop a traditional ladder-frame chassis but packs a number of modern chassis components, including servo-assisted brake calipers, vented brake discs, a limited-slip differential and multi-link suspension with coil-over shock absorbers. 

The hand-finished interior is trimmed entirely in black leather and features deep pile carpets. 

Orders are now being taken at Buckinghamshire-based Boss Motor Company, with prices starting from £129,500. The company has not said how many it will make but has confirmed that the first V8 example is currently being built. 

The firm will sell 58 of the electric and Charter Edition cars, in recognition of the fact that it’s 58 years since the original Cobra was created.

Read more

AC Cobra reborn with fully electric or four-cylinder turbo power​

185mph on the M1: Recreating Jack Sears' famous drive in an AC Cobra Coupé

Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupé review

 

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

There are times when you'd leave it parked, but also times when simply nothing else will do

Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: News and features editor

Felix is Autocar's news editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

Join the debate

Comments
10
Add a comment…
si73 2 August 2020

I must admit, I was thinking

I must admit, I was thinking it's the wrong engine when they could have taken the Mustangs engine. Still it'll be an impressive thing none the less.
smallblock 1 August 2020

I wouldn’t worry

Cersai, this 'article' was obviously written by the office junior, probably has no relevance factually 

Sporky McGuffin 31 July 2020

I doubt anyone who buys one

I doubt anyone who buys one of these is going to have to explain what make of V8 is inside, unless they're the sort of crushing bore that no-one wants to talk to.

I look forward to seeing the performance figures - based on what was announced for the other versions, I'll predict 0-60 in 9.3 seconds. Insert winking smiley etc.

jason_recliner 2 August 2020

SBC Makes Sense to Me

The 289 and the 427 were the best engines back in the day.  Nowadays the LT series are some of the greatest engines ever and sadly Ford doesn't have anything in the same league.

275not599 2 August 2020

jason_recliner wrote:

jason_recliner wrote:

The 289 and the 427 were the best engines back in the day.  Nowadays the LT series are some of the greatest engines ever and sadly Ford doesn't have anything in the same league.

I would have said that the Mustang GT350's 5.2 litre flat-plane V8 that screams like a Ferrari and produces 526bhp at 8250rpm (and, in supercharged GT500 form, 760bhp) is in the same league.

jason_recliner 2 August 2020

275not599 wrote:

275not599 wrote:

jason_recliner wrote:

The 289 and the 427 were the best engines back in the day.  Nowadays the LT series are some of the greatest engines ever and sadly Ford doesn't have anything in the same league.

I would have said that the Mustang GT350's 5.2 litre flat-plane V8 that screams like a Ferrari and produces 526bhp at 8250rpm (and, in supercharged GT500 form, 760bhp) is in the same league.

Fair call, also great engines.  But perhaps not dominating like the LS / LT.  I rightly or wrongly perceive the Coyote engines as being close to their limits, whereas the LS / LT are just getting started at 700 hp.