Ford’s Electric Super Cobra Jet Lays Down a 7.75 at NHRA Winternationals – Does This Change the Game for Gas?
If you mention electric cars to the average consumer, it wouldn’t be uncommon to have them think of SUVs, compact cars, and if feeling nostalgic, the Toyota Pruis.
Mention it to an auto enthusiast, and it’s a toss-up between a Telsa Plaid and its 9-second capability, or denouncing the entire movement and stating something along the lines of ‘gas-powered vehicles forever.’
But some are pursuing even quicker times, and hopefully more enthusiasts to take notice. Ford definitely got some eyeballs when their Super Cobra Jet 1800 laid down a 7.75 at 180 mph exhibition pass during the last weekend’s National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Winternationals, resetting the NHRA world record that Ford previously held, 8.12 at 171.97 mph from 2021. But will it open people’s minds to the possibility of owning, driving and even racing electric cars in the future?
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This isn’t Ford’s first effort for an electric Cobra Jet. Back in 2020 at the National Mustang Racers Association (NMRA) World Finals in Kentucky, I got to watch the S550 chassis Super Cobra Jet 1400 take to the Beech Bend Raceway surface.
It was almost surreal, the car doing a burnout with the only noise being tire screech. No valve spring abusing rpm, no glorious exhaust notes. Okay, give it a chance I thought. The Mustang staged up the Christmas Tree dropped the green light, and the car took off wheels in the air. My eyes were witnessing something I enjoyed, but the lack of noise was making me think it was a dream.
Just 8.37 seconds later, the Mustang had completed the quarter-mile distance at 165 mph trap speed. About three and-a-half years later, Ford has shaved six tenths of-a-second off the elapsed time I witnessed.
The question is: does it change your opinion about electric cars and what they could be? The NHRA now has classes designed specifically for EV, and Chevrolet has also experimented with racing an electric COPO Camaro a few years back.
I’m all for quick cars, and maybe I’m a little old school, but I’m still a fan of sight and sound stimulation. I’m glad new avenues are being pursued to keep racing and quick vehicles in the production pipeline, but for now, I’ll stick with dinosaur juice and the sweet sounds of high revving engines.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine and Ford.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com