AC Cobra GT Coupé is an 810PS supercharged monster

Though not an exact copy of any one 1960s Cobra, the Cobra GT Coupé combines the snub nose of the original with a Kamm tail inspired by the Le Mans racer that Jack Sears hit 185mph in on the M1. That was a full-on Daytona and GTO-fighting aero-honed pebble of a machine, whereas this is more classically Cobra-looking. This despite a body that’s made totally of carbon fibre, draped over an aluminium chassis, for a targeted sub-1,450kg kerb weight.

The only slightly off-putting part – that I fear jars with the very classically-inspired bodywork – are those wheels and tyres. They’re big wheels with a low-profile that could have come straight off a modern McLaren. However, sat within the arches of a Cobra, a car we’re used to seeing with fat bulbous donut tyres, they look a bit odd. A stiff modern tyre is necessary, though, given the punch this thing puts out.

AC had previously debuted a Roadster just under 700PS (515kW), but this GT Coupé ups the ante with a full-on 800PS (588kW) supercharged V8 punch, at least in the so-called ‘Clubsport’ version. If that sounds a bit much, there will be a 729PS (536kW) version and, much nicer-sounding to us, a naturally-aspirated version with 456PS (335kW).

We thoroughly encourage any heroes that fancy their chances at an M1 top speed run today to reconsider, even if they get their hands on one of the 99 Clubsports that are set to be made. Each will set their prospective owners back a sturdy £325,000 before tax.