Video: Can an AC Cobra replica outrun a Jaguar XKR-S?

9 December 2013
Feature

Just because a car is a replica doesn't mean it has to be slow and archaic. The XCS Fusion Cobra has been designed by the team behind the Dax Rush, and features a tubular spaceframe chassis, switchable electrically assisted steering and a supercharged Chevrolet V8 that can churn out up to 639bhp.

It also gets the patented anti-roll system from the aforementioned Caterham Seven clone. The Cobra only weighs 1080kg too, resulting in a Bugatti Veyron-beating 590bhp per tonne.

It's quick, certainly, but can it beat the Jaguar XKR-S in a drag race?

Thanks to Steve Hole of totalkitcar.com

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Comments
13

averageman

9 December 2013
Hands up who is utterly shocked that a car weighing 100's of kg's less and producing more power, is going to beat a much heavier car in a drag race. Akin to racing a Grand National winner against another National winner which happens to be pulling a rag and bone man's cart behind it. Hardly a fair comparison is it?

Symanski

9 December 2013
Just only further highlights how fast the Cobra replica is. I'd still opt for the Jaguar though.

Frightmare Bob

9 December 2013
"Hands up who is utterly shocked that a car weighing 100's of kg's less and producing more power, is going to beat a much heavier car in a drag race. Akin to racing a Grand National winner against another National winner which happens to be pulling a rag and bone man's cart behind it. Hardly a fair comparison is it?" Who cares, when it looks and sounds that good?

TS7

9 December 2013
Now I'd settle for a replica.

jmd67

9 December 2013
Steve I want your job. I want your job really badly. I also want that Cobra. Please.

Peter Cavellini

10 December 2013
Seen this scenario before,the Cobra weighs about a ton Steve said,had more power(allegedly),was drag raced,not round the Track,different kind of car altogether really,wouldn't want to go far in the Cobra either,so, it's really a rather expensive play thing.isn't it,one thing,it would beat a GTR Nismo Steve?.......Steve...?

275not599

9 December 2013
My friend Jim has 3 Cobras, one "genuine" one sanctioned by Carrol Shelby and "signed" by him when he rested up against the rear wing and scratched it with a stud on his jeans. The maddest one has a bespoke aluminum chassis and an 8ltr supercharged V8 with 850 bhp. A nice car to visit but I wouldn't want to live in it. I suspect the one Steve drove would be faster than the Jag on any track except, possibly, a wet, bumpy, mickey mouse circuit.

pychris

9 December 2013
Not exactly a surprise is it, when the Cobra is lighter and has more power.

simonali

10 December 2013
There seems to be too much seriousness and not enough sense of fun here. SS got given a drive of a mad car and put it up against his own. The Jag wasn't chosen specifically because it was heavier and less powerful, it was there because it was the car he drove to the track.

bomb

10 December 2013
Given the look on Steve's face in this and the Stratos video are we coming around to the conclusion that mass-produced cars can no longer produce the kind of raw, visceral thrills that kit cars can offer?

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