700bhp Cobra makes UK debut

Shelby American’s new 700bhp Cobra is to be sold in the UK even before its home country.

London-based Clive Sutton will sell the latest Shelby Cobra after seeing off a legal challenge from the owner of AC Cars which accused Sutton of trademark infringement. Shelby Cobras are built under license from Ford Motor Company and Carroll Shelby Licensing, which supported Sutton in the case.

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As a reward Sutton will be the first dealership in the world to take delivery of the new CSX10000, which is powered by the five-litre Coyote V8 from the current Ford Mustang. In naturally-aspirated form it produces 460bhp and 420 lbft of torque, but with an optional Whipple twin-screw three-litre supercharger the engine delivers an astonishing 700bhp and 550 lbft of twist.

A six-speed Tremec manual transmission is standard-fit, while new 18-inch wheels, designed to replicate the original Cobra’s 15-inch rims are also installed. Chunky Continental Extreme Contact Sport tyres are 275/35ZR18 are sized at for the front and 335/30ZR18 for the rear. Power steering and Wilwood power-assisted four-calliper brakes provide stopping power. The cabin is trimmed in diamond-stitched leather and its gauges are based on the very first Cobra.

Available in left- and right-hand drive, every CSX10000 sold will be recorded in the Shelby Cobra Register, recognising it as a genuine car, not a replica. Prices start at £195,000.

The deal to bring Cobras to the U.K. comes as 2023 marks 100 years since Carroll Shelby’s birth. “Our founder would be impressed with this latest evolution of his original Cobra that he first created in 1962,” says M. Neil Cummings, CEO of Carroll Shelby Licencing. “It’s a fitting reminder to the world that Shelby is the original, genuine designer, builder, and Manufacturer of Record for the Shelby Cobra, which won the 1965 FIA World Manufacturers’ Championship while beating Ferrari for the first time in the FIA GT class.”