AC Cars, one of Britain's oldest vehicle manufacturers, has recently introduced a contemporary rendition of the iconic AC Cobra, named the GT Roadster. Revealed at a special event held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, this new model pays homage to its predecessor while incorporating modern enhancements.

Retaining its iconic styling, the AC Cobra GT Roadster showcases a larger size compared to the original vehicle. Despite the increase in dimensions, the car exudes classic charm that fans of the Cobra will undoubtedly appreciate. The bodywork, constructed from lightweight carbon composites, weighs a mere 50 kg (110 lbs), contributing to its agility and performance.

The new chassis has a wheelbase of 2570mm, 284 mm longer than the AC Cobra Mk. VI, yet the car’s overall length has grown only 110mm, up to 4225mm.  The car’s track has also been optimised to give a wider stance, which, along with the car’s weight distribution and centre of gravity, drastically benefits handling and agility. 

Extremely light and with exceptional tortional rigidity, the highly advanced extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis was designed for an open-top car yet. Clothed in a flowing carbon-composite body, which itself weighs under 50kg, the new AC Cobra’s kerb weight remains under 1450kg. 

Developing up to 654 bhp (663PS) and 575 lb ft (780Nm) – or 454 bhp (460PS) and 420lb ft (570Nm) in standard configuration – the supercharged GT Roadster is capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 sec. Perfectly complementing the engines, two gearboxes are available: a 6-speed manual gearbox for purists or an advanced 10-speed automatic gearbox with steering-wheel mounted shift paddles.  

While the exterior design remains faithful to the original, with minor modernizations and larger wheels, the interior receives a refreshing update. Circular gauges dominate the dashboard, complemented by a three-spoke steering wheel and a Start/Stop button hidden beneath a stylish red flap. The inclusion of a small infotainment screen adds a touch of contemporary convenience.

Just 250 examples of the GT Roadster are expected to be built for worldwide markets every year, available in left and right-hand drive, with the first year of production already allocated.  

Source: AC Cars

Tags: roadster
Евгений Ушаков
Evgenii Ushakov
15 years driving