AC’s Cobra GT gets price cut with new entry-level engine

Christmas has come early for fans of the modern AC Cobra GT.

AC on Monday announced a new 2.0-liter engine option that will bring the starting price of the retro sports car down to a targeted 235,000 British pounds (approximately $294,400).

AC Cobra GT Coupe

Final pricing and specifications will be announced closer to the market launch next year, though AC confirmed the 2.0-liter engine will deliver up to 390 hp (there will be two states of tune) and start deliveries in 2026.

The Cobra GT at present is offered exclusively with a 5.0-liter V-8 that delivers 454 hp in naturally aspirated form or 654 hp with a supercharger attached, with prices starting at 285,000 British pounds ($357,000) for the Roadster and 325,000 British pounds ($407,200) for the Coupe.

AC Cobra GT Roadster

While down on power, the new 2.0-liter engine will help deliver weight savings compared to the V-8, AC said. The Roadster with the V-8 has a curb weight of approximately 3,200 pounds, meaning the 2.0-liter engine may see the weight drop closer to 3,000 pounds.

In addition to the new engine option, AC on Monday also announced the availability of a dual-clutch automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual remains an alternative, but a previously announced 10-speed automatic is no longer offered.

AC Cobra GT Roadster

Reservations for the Cobra GT with the 2.0-liter engine are already being accepted.

AC’s Cobra GT is a modern take on the iconic AC and Shelby Cobra sports cars from the 1960s. The modern cars use a bespoke aluminum spaceframe chassis and feature carbon-fiber bodies. They’re also bigger than the original design, which enables taller drivers to fit. AC also continues to offer the original design in the form of its modern Ace and Ace Bristol sports cars.