Just under a year ago, American automaker Ford introduced the Mustang Super Cobra Jet 1800 to the world. From the outset, it was clear that this vehicle aimed to set new quarter-mile NHRA world records for electric vehicles. Gradually, this quarter-mile racer began to achieve its objectives.
The 1800 model, revealed in 2023, represents an upgrade from its predecessor, which had been in existence for several years. Like its predecessor, the original Super Cobra Jet boasted an electric powertrain generating 1,400 horsepower, hence its name including “1400”.
The initial significant accomplishment of the 1400 variant was setting the fastest quarter-mile pass with a full-bodied drag car in 2021. This feat occurred at Norwalk, Ohio, with the EV blazing down the strip at speeds of 171.97 mph (276.76 kph), covering the quarter-mile in just 8.128 seconds.
As its name suggests, the 1800 received a substantial power boost to 1,800 horsepower through hardware and software modifications, while shedding weight by eliminating 40 percent of the battery mass alone.
Collaborating with electric drivetrain specialists MLe Racecars, Ford incorporated contributions from AEM-EV, Cascadia Motion, and Watson Engineering from previous models.
With additional weight-saving alterations, Ford managed to trim “hundreds of pounds” from the car’s weight, although the exact figure remains undisclosed. The vehicle also incorporates four inverters and two double-stacked electric motor pairings to aid launches, paired with a new transmission system provided by Liberty.
Moreover, the 1800 features improved suspension geometry (credited to PMR) and Mickey Thompson drag radial tires on its wheels. In this enhanced setup, the Ford Mustang Super Cobra Jet 1800 returned to the track once more, recently achieving remarkable goals. It not only shattered the previous record set by its predecessor but did so by a considerable margin.
At the National Hot Rod Association Winter Nationals, the electric ‘Stang blazed past spectators at speeds of 180.14 mph (298.9 kph), completing the run in just 7.759 seconds. Ford declares that this second record of the Mustang Super Cobra Jet is just the beginning and assures that “the journey of the Mustang Super Cobra Jet 1800 is far from over.”
While the exact outcomes of this research are unclear, Ford hints that the lessons learned could pave the way for the development of both road-legal and racing electric cars. Further significant achievements from this powerhouse are anticipated soon.