AC Unveils its New Cobra GT Coupe

Le Mans. We have a lot to thank the famous 24 hour race for. Not only has it provided motorsport fans with spectacular feats of racing for over a century but it has also been the catalyst for countless creations spanning the entire spectrum of the automotive industry. From Ford’s iconic GT40 to the McLaren F1 LM the much revered endurance race has embedded itself in the collective consciousness of motoring enthusiasts and manufacturers alike, and the latest opus to take inspiration from such Circuit de la Sarthe shenanigans is the new AC Cobra GT Coupe. Take a moment and drink it in…

You may recall that we reported on AC’s new Cobra GT Roadster early last year and it was nothing short of breathtaking. It’s a car that was developed with absolute faith and respect for the original, all the while bringing it kicking and screaming into the twenty first century with modern mechanicals. Well, AC has done it again with the Cobra GT Coupe and we think it looks even better with a roof.

But there’s more to the Coupe than just being able to drive it in the rain without getting wet. Much more. It may be a road going car but it leans very much into AC’s racing heritage, as we alluded to earlier. Inspired by the company’s early racing victories (Le Mans included) the car also takes its cues from the AC A98 coupe that participated in the Le Mans 24 hour competition in 1964. And yes, this is the same car that was clocked at 185mph on the M1 with “Gentleman Jack” Sears behind the wheel as part of the car’s testing ahead of its Le Mans debut.

The original AC A98 coupe

Based upon the new Cobra GT Roadster platform the Coupe features numerous revised and enhanced details. Utilising the same basic lines as its open top brethren the new Coupe includes a roof, obviously, as well as a distinctive Kammtail rear end reminiscent of the A98 racer. Not only that but the enhanced aluminium chassis provides exceptional torsional rigidity and the optimised carbon-fibre body keeps the overall weight down. Combine that with an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution and you have an eminently chuckable bundle of fun.

Power comes courtesy of a whopping great V8, naturally, with the series production coupe being available with either a normally aspirated 450bhp lump or a frankly ridiculous 720bhp supercharged option. That’s not all though. The first model available will be the limited edition (99 to be exact) Clubsport. This particular lunatic is a track-focussed version with a tuned 799bhp V8!

AC Cars CEO, David Conza told us: “The reveal of the AC Cobra GT Coupe is a proud moment for us, and the story of a road-going AC Cobra coupe is one years in the making. To have been able to combine the timeless AC Cobra design into a car using the latest design and construction techniques breaks new ground for AC Cars. This means the limited Clubsport Edition will provide an incredible, racing car-like experience on either the road or the track.”

If you fancy one of these beasts then head on over to AC Cars’ web site to stake your claim and make a reservation. Be prepared to wait a while though because the first Clubsport models will be delivered to clients from the end of 2025 onwards, with the GT Coupe and GTS Coupe iterations following later. The Cobra GT Coupe, albeit a brand new car, is very much akin to a professional restomod with modern, trick mechanicals ensconced in a period style body and we absolutely love it.

With prices starting from £325,000 plus taxes it ain’t cheap but then you really do get what you pay for and the AC Cobra GT Coupe is set to make quite the impact. If your pockets aren’t that deep, however, worry not because we have a huge selection of Cobras right here on Car & Classic. Whether it be a replica or a genuine period example, we’ve got you covered.