The £280k+ AC Cobra GT Coupe is here, and it’s got a 5.0-litre V8

This is the AC Cobra GT Coupe. It is a coupe built by “Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer” AC Cars and is a version of the classic Cobra that comes pre-filled with 5.0-litres of Ford V8. It also comes pre-filled with a roof.

Time to go back to the future, then. Chiefly because while Cobras have always been… less roofy, this GT Coupe takes inspiration from AC’s rather delectable AC A98 racer from 1964. That Le Mans racer, famously, had a tin top.

AC Cars assures us this is no “stripped out track car” despite its punchy stature, referring to it more as a “grand tourer in nature”. It’s spun off the same bones as the GT Roadster, naturally, gets lots of carbon fibre, a Kammtail, and of course, a “modern” V8.

The Five Point O is available with either 450 naturally-aspirated horsies and 410 torques, or 720 supercharged horsies and 605 torques. The latter car is what you’d call ‘rapid’: it’ll reel off 0-60mph in less than 3.5s. Both are available with either a 10-speed auto or a six-speed manual for “traditionalists”.

We’re told the generously proportioned and equipped cabin can accommodate humans measuring over six feet tall, features leather and “subtle heritage inspired touches”, analogue bits, digital bits, and such luxuries like: electric windows! Climate control! Satellite navigation!

While it remains broadly true to the original Cobra’s size, it’s actually a bit bigger and heavier, AC Cars telling us it’s now 4.2m long and weighs around 1,600kg. It’s also… expensive. The nat-asp cars start from £234,000 plus tax, while the supercharged versions kick off from £256,300 (plus tax).

Though while production will be “extremely” limited, AC Cars is looking to build more overall. “AC Cars continues to invest in its operations and develop new partnerships,” said boss David Conza. “This will provide the catalyst to take AC Cars from around 100 hand-built cars a year currently up to no more than 1,000 cars across all models in total.

“However, we will still retain the craftsmanship and exclusivity that our clients respect,” he added. That includes roofs.