Reborn 460kW AC Cobra switches to EV

AC Cars has announced it will offer its reborn AC Cobra with a new pure-electric powertrain in place of a large-capacity V8, offering even more power than the fearsome original.

Based on the latest Series 4 of the AC Cobra, the new battery-powered sportscar is claimed to produce a mighty 460kW and 1000Nm of torque, enough to launch it from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Powering the zero-emissions roadster is a new 54kWh battery which is claimed to provide the AC with a range of up to 320km between charges.

Perhaps remarkably, thanks to the AC's lightweight construction, the new electric version of the ancient Cobra weighs in at just 1190kg – only 40kg more than the original V8-powered AC Cobra 427.

Keeping weight down, the small AC is still based on a traditional ladder-frame chassis and gets ultra-lightweight composite panels.

Speaking of which, the V8 lives on in the Series 4 Cobra under the bonnet of the Cobra 378 that gets a supercharged 6.2-litre 'LSR' V8 that produces around 433kW – 112kW more than the original fearsome Cobra 427.

To tame the once-treacherous handling, AC Cars has developed a modern suspension system which includes a multilink rear axle that incorporates adjustable coil-overs. There's also a mechanical limited-slip differential and large modern brakes.

As well as the V8 there's a less powerful, but lighter still, version of the AC Cobra powered by the Ford Mustang's 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder.

Pricing for the resurrected AC Cobra doesn't come cheap. The new electric Cobra is priced at £168,000 ($A305,000), while the V8-powered Cobra 378 starts from £129,500 ($A235,000).

Both cars are available for order now, with deliveries for the pure-electric Cobra planned for the third quarter of 2021. There's no word yet on whether AC Cars plans to export them Down Under.