AC Cars sets pricing for petrol- and electric-powered Cobras

The rebirth of AC Cars continues with the British company’s announcement of pricing for its petroleum- and electric-powered Cobras.

Tracing its history to 1901 but best-known for supplying the sports car bodies that Carroll Shelby turned into Cobras, AC Cars now offers the AC Cobra Series 4, which it calls the “Cobra updated for a new age.”

AC Cars returned in 2020 with the AC Cobra 378 Superblower model powered by a 6.2-liter V8 rated at 580 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. That car remains available, but with more power — 650 horsepower and nearly 650 pound-feet of torque.

The latest Superblower is priced at £139,500 ($197,640).

The company also has announced the availability of its electric-powered AC Cobra Series 4 vehicles in two versions, one based on the AC Cobra 289 Mk II body and the other on the larger Superblower coachwork.

The cars are available with either a 230kW or 460kW battery-electric power system. AC says the lighter 230 version provides 4.9-second 0-to-62 mph acceleration with a range of 190 miles while the 460 does that same sprint in 3.8 seconds and offers 160 miles of range. 

Pricing has been set at £148,000 ($209,685) for the 230 and at £168,000 ($238,020) for the 460 version.

The electric powertrains are developed and produced by Falcon Electric.

“We are a hard-core technology company with the mission to make electric vehicles exciting,” Falcon proclaims. “Passion and emotion drive us; electricity and innovation drive our vehicles.”

“The march of the outstandingly efficient electric AC Cobras is gathering pace now,” adds Alan Lubinsky, the person credited with reviving the AC Cars brand. 

“Eliminating excess weight brings with it positive benefits for the car’s owner.” 

The 230 electric Cobra weighs 1,190 kilograms (2,623.5 pounds) while the 460 weighs 1,240 kilos (2,733.7 pounds).

“Lower overall weight reduces energy consumption, allowing the batteries to deliver a longer range and the ability to drive the car to AC’s traditional high standards for speed and acceleration which the marque has achieved over many years.”

AC Cars says it is accepting orders for the electric Cobras, with customer deliveries beginning later this year.