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AC Cobra Mk IV 4.9 i V8 Lightweight (340 Hp)
Overall Rating
AC Cobra:
The AC Cobra, sold in the United States as the Shelby Cobra and Shelby AC Cobra, is a sports car manufactured by British company AC Cars, with a Ford V8 engine. It was produced intermittently in both the United Kingdom and later the United States from 1962 to 1967.
AC Cars had been building small numbers of its AC Ace two-seater roadster since 1953. The Ace had a steel ladder chassis with 3-inch diameter tubular main rails, and a hand-built body of aluminium panels shaped using English wheeling machines. The Ace had used three different straight-six engines over its production life, starting with AC's own Light Six, then Bristol Cars six derived from the pre-war BMW M328, and finally a 2. 6 L Ford Zephyr 6 engine. The Zephyr 6 was low enough that it allowed AC to restyle the nose of the car, lowering the hoodline, adding a smaller air intake, and removing the "moustache" lines below the headlamps on earlier cars....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Mk IV Overview:
AC Cobra (Mk IV). Weighing only 1065 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is excellent (0–100 km/h in 5 s). The top speed reaches 225 km/h. A convertible with a retractable hardtop, offering the benefits of both coupe and cabriolet. Seating for 2 makes it ideal for daily use.
4.9 i V8 Lightweight (340 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Exceptional performance, enhanced by reduced weight for superior agility and acceleration, making it a highly desirable driver's car.
Fuel Economy
Improved power-to-weight ratio might slightly offset fuel consumption, but it remains a high-performance, thirsty engine.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Iconic design and strong heritage appeal
- • Exhilarating V8 performance and sound
- • Raw, engaging, and visceral driving experience
- • Exclusivity and collector's item potential
- • Timeless classic car aesthetics
Cons:
- • Poor fuel economy across all variants
- • Lack of modern safety features (e.g., airbags, ABS)
- • Minimal comfort and practicality for daily use
- • High maintenance costs and specialized parts
- • Limited weather protection and storage space
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Mk IV: 1990 - 1997).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | AC |
| Model: | Cobra |
| Generation: | Mk IV |
| Modification (Engine): | 4.9 i V8 Lightweight (340 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1992 |
| End of production: | 1997 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe - Cabriolet |
| Seats: | 2 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 340 Hp @ 6000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 68.8 Hp/l |
| Engine displacement: | 4942 |
| Number of cylinders: | 8 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 101.6 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 76.2 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 5 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 5 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 225 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 3.1 kg/Hp, 319.2 Hp/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 4.8 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1065 |
| Max. weight: | 1153 |
| Max load: | 88 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 70 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4155 mm mm [40mm more] |
| Width: | 1745 mm mm [10mm more] |
| Height: | 1230 mm mm [15mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2285 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1410 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1485 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Tires size | 225/60 R16V; 255/60 R16V |
| Front suspension | Coil spring |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
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