Performance Review: AC Cobra 212 S/C - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

AC Cobra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the AC Cobra 212 S/C is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular AC Cobra has a 3506cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Cobra shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cobra's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 900 kgs (1984 lbs) this makes the AC Cobra 212 S/C in the same weight category as the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The AC Cobra shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3506cc 32V V8 engine produces 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the AC Cobra you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo (412.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the AC Cobra.

The AC Cobra has a Power to weight ratio of 388.8 bhp per ton and 327.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Cobra competing with the 2011 McLaren MP4-12C 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo (412.8 bhp per ton) or the 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO (411.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the AC Cobra generating around 327.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12 (351.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 Edition (350.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the AC Cobra 212 S/C as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This AC Cobra 212 S/C is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cobra and the 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo SE 930

When talking about the performance of the AC Cobra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.31 secs @ 120.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo SE 930 (11.26 secs), the 2016 Ford Focus RS 2.3 Turbo (11.26 secs), and the 1969 AMC AMX /3 6.4L V8 (11.27 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the AC Cobra 212 S/C has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Cobra equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 AC Cobra 212 S/C then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Cobra Rivals List.

A Brief History of AC

Car Comparison