Ford Performance has announced its latest electric Mustang Super Cobra Jet 1800 prototype, designed specifically for motor sports. The all-electric Mustang is an evolution of the Cobra Jet 1400, which made its debut as a prototype in 2020 and set a quarter-mile time of around 8 seconds. In the summer of 2021, driver Bob Tasca III set a world record quarter-mile time for a full-bodied electric vehicle at 8.128 seconds, reaching a top speed of 171.97 mph, which still stands today.
The Super Cobra Jet 1800 is a nod to Ford’s history in performance, with the first “Super Cobra Jet” offered on 1969 model year Mustangs as an enhancement to the standard Cobra Jet package. According to the Ford Performance team, they led an evolution of improvements to the new all-electric Mustang Super Cobra 1800, including upgrades to the chassis, powertrain, and control systems.
The Super Cobra Jet 1800 utilizes the same four PN-250-DZR inverters coupled to two double-stacked DS-250-115 motor pairings as the Cobra Jet 1400, but attached to a new transmission from Liberty. The powertrain is powered by a completely redesigned, lighter battery system designed by Ford Performance and MLe Racecars. The design team was able to shed hundreds of pounds off the electric Mustang while increasing its horsepower up to 1,800, hence the name.
Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook said the team is always looking to push themselves in every corner of the motorsport world, and drag racing remains a key proving ground for its products and technology. He added that they are excited to not only try to best their own record in the quarter-mile, but to further showcase ongoing development they continue to make across the entire electric vehicle landscape.
The Ford Performance team states that the Super Cobra Jet 1800 will attempt to usurp its Cobra Jet 1400 predecessor for the full-bodied electric quarter-mile record at an NHRA event later this season. The performance team states that the Super Cobra Jet 1800 will also take a crack at world records for fastest electric vehicle 0-60 mph and fastest two-wheel drive electric vehicle 0-60 mph.
In the meantime, fans can watch the Cobra Jet 1400 blaze toward its world record in the quarter-mile. With the upcoming NHRA events, we will be sure to keep an eye out on what this new electric Mustang can really do. The Super Cobra Jet 1800 is a testament to the ongoing innovation and development of electric vehicles, and it will be exciting to see how it performs on the track.
