In April, Ford unveiled an all-electric version of its factory drag car called the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400. Details were limited at the time, but Ford announced it was a one-off prototype. The automaker designed it in parallel with Ford's other high-powered EV race car, the Mach-E 1400. A new video shows the high-powered electric coupe at the drag strip where it clocked an 8.27-second quarter-mile time at 168 miles per hour (270 kilometers per hour).
Ford worked with Cascadia Motion on the powertrain, which has four motor total that can spin up to 10,000 revolutions per minute. Each motor has a maximum output of 350 kilowatts, totaling 1,400 horsepower (1,044 kilowatts) and 1,100 pound-feet (1,491 Newton-meters) of torque. However, a recent development test recorded 1,502 hp (1,120 kW) at the car's wheels, exceeding a testing target.
Gallery: Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400
"Since revealing the car, we've continued to fine-tune it and now know we're just scratching the surface of what we may be able to achieve with this much electric horsepower in a drag racing setting," said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
Here Comes Another One:
The Cobra Jet 1400 will make its first public run this weekend at the NHRA US Nationals race, where the potent pony will lineup against a gas-powered Cobra Jet. Ford NHRA Funny Car Driver Bob Tasca III will pilot the EV prototype while two-time Funny Car champ and Fox Broadcaster Tony Pedregon will race the gas-powered pony car. In the US, viewers can catch the broadcast on FS1, Fox TV, and the NHRA livestream.
Now is the perfect time for the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 to shine as Ford readies the Mach-E for deliveries. The all-electric drag car helps the automaker put its innovative EV skills on display, and what better way to do it than with a powerful all-electric drag car? Electric vehicles are coming from many automakers, so we shouldn't be surprised if engineers want to push performance boundaries just like they have always done.
Source: Ford
All-Electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Prototype Ueeds Testing Target, Makes Public Debut at NHRA U.S. Nationals
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 3, 2020 – Engineered to shatter towering performance goals without using a drop of fuel, the all-electric Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype has blazed through a quarter-mile in 8.27 seconds at 168 miles per hour and reached 1,502 peak wheel horsepower in recent private development testing.
That’s equivalent to the combined output of more than three 2021 Mustang GT V8 engines. Developed by Ford Performance in parallel to the recently unveiled Mustang Mach-E 1400 prototype, both cars were built to demonstrate Ford’s technological capabilities and innovation skillset in EV technologies.
"Since revealing the car, we’ve continued to fine-tune it and now know we're just scratching the surface of what we may be able to achieve with this much electric horsepower in a drag racing setting,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
Ford Performance collaborated with Cascadia Motion to power the Cobra Jet 1400. With four PN-250-DZR inverters coupled to a pair of DS-250-115s, giving four motors total and spinning at up to 10,000 revolutions per minute. These motor-inverter packages run at 800 volts and up to 700 amps, with maximum output of 350kW per motor.
To manage such a potent propulsion package, AEM-EV and Ford Performance jointly developed an advanced data and control system that features a control algorithm unique to the Cobra Jet 1400. The sheer amount of power has also required a different approach with chassis tuning strategies, which MLe, Ford’s build and integration collaborator for the project, has delivered with input from Ford Performance’s longtime Cobra Jet build collaborators at Watson.
"It's been a great but challenging project for all of us at Ford Performance,” said Rushbrook. “The opportunities to learn with the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400, as well as the Mustang Mach-E 1400 we recently introduced, gives us great insight into what may be possible in high-performance all-electric vehicles for Ford going forward. We are very interested in continuing to work with NHRA to determine how electrification can be part of the sport and to show off the Cobra Jet 1400 at max power in due course as regulations develop.”
The U.S. Nationals provide the perfect venue to showcase the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 where the car will first run in public this weekend. Ford NHRA Funny Car Driver Bob Tasca III will pilot the prototype in showcase runs against two-time Funny Car champion and FOX broadcaster Tony Pedregon, who will drive one of Ford’s internal combustion engine Mustang Cobra Jets, proven winners in the NHRA sportsman ranks.
"Drag racing has always been where Detroit proves its most advanced powertrains,” said Brad Gerber, V.P. sales and chief development officer, NHRA. “The U.S. Nationals is the sport’s quintessential stage for reaching enthusiasts wanting a glimpse at the future technology of performance vehicles. Our fans are fascinated by horsepower in all forms, and the electrification of an iconic vehicle like the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 shows that innovation at Ford Motor Company never rests. We look forward to seeing the Cobra Jet 1400 and continuing discussions with Ford about the future of electrification in drag racing."
See the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 in action this weekend at the NHRA U.S. Nationals on both FS1 and FOX TV, as well as nhra.tv livestream.