AC Cobra

Which AC Cobra Version Should You Buy?

The right AC Cobra depends on whether you value lower weight, naturally aspirated response, maximum performance, or a modern gearbox. The 1962–1964 4.7 MT is the earliest and least powerful listed choice at 271 hp. The 1965–1967 7.0 MT raises output to 416 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds.

The right AC Cobra depends on whether you value lower weight, naturally aspirated response, maximum performance, or a modern gearbox. The 1962–1964 4.7 MT is the earliest and least powerful listed choice at 271 hp. The 1965–1967 7.0 MT raises output to 416 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. Later roadsters broaden the choice considerably: the 1990–2001 generation offers five 4.9 MT specifications, the 1999–2007 generation offers two, and the 2013–2015 generation culminates in a 780 hp 6.2 MT capable of 332 km/h. The current generation, offered from March 2023, combines 663 hp with either the 5.0 AT or 5.0 MT. All six generations in the supplied catalogue are Roadsters, and every listed version is Gasoline, V-shaped, 8-cylinder and RWD.

AC Cobra generations: what changed?

The 1962–1964 second generation contains one Roadster version, the 4.7 MT. Its 4,727 cc engine produces 271 hp, uses a Carburetor and is paired with a 4-speed Manual gearbox. This generation is the straightforward early choice, but acceleration, kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance and tank capacity were not measured.

The 1965–1967 third generation also contains one Roadster version. Its 7.0 MT moves to 6,997 cc, 416 hp and 651 Nm, while retaining a Carburetor, 4-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. It reaches 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and 280 km/h, making it substantially quicker than the preceding version where comparable maximum-speed data exist.

The 1990–2001 fourth generation contains five Roadster versions, all named 4.9 MT and therefore best identified by output: 228, 250, 326, 340 or 370 hp. Four use no boost; the 326 hp version uses a Compressor. Power delivery also varies between Distributed injection (multi-point) and Carburetor. Every version has a 5-speed Manual gearbox and RWD. This generation supplies the widest range of lower-output choices, with acceleration from 5.2 seconds for the 228 and 250 hp cars to 4.2 seconds for the 326 hp car.

The 1999–2007 fifth generation contains two Roadster versions, both called 4.9 MT. The 340 hp version uses Distributed injection (multi-point) and a 5-speed Manual gearbox; the 370 hp version uses a Carburetor and a 6-speed Manual. Both are naturally aspirated, reach 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and have a 250 km/h maximum speed. Their largest measurable distinction is mass: 980 kg for the 340 hp car and 900 kg for the 370 hp car.

The 2013–2015 sixth generation contains four Roadster versions. Three are named 6.2 MT, producing 437, 647 or 780 hp; the fourth is the 7.2 MT with 640 hp. All have Distributed injection (multi-point), 6-speed Manual gearboxes and RWD. The 437 hp 6.2 MT and 640 hp 7.2 MT have no boost, while the 647 and 780 hp 6.2 MT versions use a Compressor. This is the generation to choose when the priority is minimum acceleration time or maximum speed.

The seventh generation, offered from March 2023, contains two Roadster versions: 5.0 AT and 5.0 MT. Both have a front, longitudinal 5,038 cc Turbo engine producing 663 hp and 780 Nm, and both weigh 1,400 kg. They share a 3.4-second acceleration time and 278 km/h maximum speed. The choice is specifically between a 10-speed Automatic and a 6-speed Manual gearbox.

AC Cobra engine options and specs

The power-per-litre comparison clarifies what each later engine delivers. The 2013–2015 6.2 MT produces approximately 71 hp per litre in 437 hp form, 105 hp per litre in 647 hp form and 127 hp per litre in 780 hp form. The naturally aspirated 7.2 MT produces approximately 89 hp per litre. Both current 5.0 versions produce approximately 132 hp per litre, the highest figure calculated from the supplied displacement and output data.

Among the 4,942 cc cars, output ranges from approximately 46 to 75 hp per litre. The Compressor-equipped 326 hp version sits at approximately 66 hp per litre. The 1962–1964 4.7 MT produces approximately 57 hp per litre, while the 1965–1967 7.0 MT produces approximately 59 hp per litre.

Performance, top speed and AC Cobra mpg

The 780 hp 6.2 MT is the quickest and fastest listed version, beating the 647 hp 6.2 MT by 0.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 27 km/h at maximum speed. Compared with the naturally aspirated 7.2 MT, it is 0.4 seconds quicker and 43 km/h faster.

For a naturally aspirated 2013–2015 car, the 7.2 MT is the performance choice: it has 203 hp more than the 437 hp 6.2 MT, cuts the acceleration time by 0.5 seconds and adds 11 km/h to maximum speed. Fuel consumption and therefore mpg were not measured for any listed version, so no economy ranking can be made from these data.

AC Cobra weight, dimensions and wheels

Length, width, height, wheelbase and weight distribution were not measured for any listed version. Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and wheel sizes are as follows.

Weight per horsepower exposes the strongest performance-to-mass choices. The 1999–2007 370 hp 4.9 MT has approximately 2.43 kg per hp, compared with approximately 2.88 kg per hp for the 340 hp version. The 2013–2015 range improves from approximately 2.40 kg per hp in the 437 hp 6.2 MT to 1.67 kg per hp in the 647 hp version and 1.35 kg per hp in the 780 hp version. The 7.2 MT records approximately 1.64 kg per hp. Both current 663 hp versions have approximately 2.11 kg per hp.

Which AC Cobra version should you choose?

Choose the 1962–1964 4.7 MT if the objective is the earliest listed generation and the simplest specification in this catalogue: one 271 hp version, one 4-speed Manual gearbox and one Carburetor-fed engine. Its missing acceleration and weight measurements prevent a complete numerical comparison.

Choose the 1965–1967 7.0 MT for the strongest early-generation performance. Its 416 hp, 651 Nm, 4.2-second acceleration time and 280 km/h maximum speed establish a clear advantage over the 271 hp 4.7 MT, including 145 hp more output.

Within the 1990–2001 generation, the 326 hp 4.9 MT offers the quickest measured acceleration at 4.2 seconds, while the 250 hp 4.9 MT is 175 kg lighter than the 228 hp car and shares its 5.2-second acceleration time. The 370 hp 4.9 MT has the best calculated weight-to-power figure of this generation at approximately 2.65 kg per hp, but its listed 5.2-second acceleration and 215 km/h maximum speed do not lead the range.

Within the 1999–2007 generation, the 370 hp 4.9 MT is the stronger numerical choice. It adds 30 hp, removes 80 kg and adds one gearbox ratio compared with the 340 hp 4.9 MT. Both nevertheless have identical measured acceleration and maximum-speed figures.

Choose the 2013–2015 437 hp 6.2 MT if you want the least powerful, naturally aspirated entry to that generation. Choose the 7.2 MT if you want naturally aspirated performance: it matches the 437 hp car’s 1,050 kg kerb weight but adds 203 hp and 155 Nm. Choose the 647 hp 6.2 MT as the intermediate Compressor option. Choose the 780 hp 6.2 MT when acceleration, top speed and weight per horsepower take priority; it leads every listed AC Cobra on all three measures.

Finally, choose between the current 5.0 AT and 5.0 MT according to gearbox preference. Their engine output, torque, acceleration, maximum speed, weight, drive and wheels are identical in the supplied data. The 5.0 AT provides a 10-speed Automatic, whereas the 5.0 MT provides a 6-speed Manual. Without price data, neither can be declared the better-value purchase, and AC Cobra price, MSRP and cars for sale cannot be compared from this catalogue.