As I sit at home watching Le Mans ’66, the brilliant 2019 film featuring some of Carroll Shelby’s story, the newest incarnation of the iconic Cobra, which Shelby had so much influence in producing back in the 1960s, has been unveiled in London at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Make no mistake, the AC Cobra GT Roadster is a modern sports car, produced using the latest technology, yet it remains faithful to the spirit of the 1960s Cobra. Four years and many millions of Euros have gone into this project to meet its intended aim of being both used as a road car and a sports car.

The first thing to say is, it’s quite a sight to behold. The unmistakable shape and unique Cobra design is there for all to see, though it is significantly bigger than the original.

Soundtracked by a booming V8, the GT Roadster is available in either left or right-hand drive. There are plenty of choices available for potential customers. The 5.0-litre engine comes in either naturally aspirated, which produces 454bbhp and 420 lb-ft of torque or supercharged, which puts out 654bhp and 575 lb-ft torque. 0-60mph is achieved in an impressive 3.4 seconds, half the time that the electric Cobra can achieve. There’s also a choice of gearbox, with a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic equipped with shift paddles offered.

The chassis and bodywork are a combination of carbon-composite clad to an extruded aluminium spaceframe. Weighing at just 1,450kg, despite the previously mentioned bigger size compared to its original, weight distribution is at the forefront of the designers’ minds. The wheelbase has been increased by 30cm and the stance has widened by 11cm.

Moving on to the interior, the cabin of the AC Cobra GT Roadster features bespoke details and unique hand-finished elements. The design and detailing of the leatherwork and upholstery carefully blend advanced and highly resilient fabrics with traditional materials.

The AC Cobra GT Roadster will set customers back £285,000, though this hasn’t deterred customers, with the first year of orders already filled up. Production is notoriously limited at AC, with every car built to an exact standard, giving its clientele that feeling of exclusivity. If it’s in your price range, however then you could still be in luck as AC Cars plans to build 250 of these cars a year, globally.

Words: Mike Booth
Picture: AC Cars