An exaggeratedly enhanced Ford Mustang has just set a new record for the fastest electric vehicle in the US in a 400-meter straight-line acceleration.
This car is named Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 2200. In the NHRA Charlotte race, it completed a quarter mile (402.3 meters) in just 6.76 seconds, reaching a top speed of approximately 357 km/h.
This record is not only due to the latest electric drive technology, but also borrows from many traditional solutions in gasoline-powered drag racing cars.
The Cobra Jet 2200 looks like a two-door road-going Mustang, but it’s far from a regular production car. Beneath the body is a completely custom racing structure, featuring a tubular frame, a carbon fiber body, and two 1200-horsepower electric motors positioned under the front.
This isn’t Ford’s first foray into electric drag racing. Previously, Ford produced the Super Cobra Jet 1400 and Super Cobra Jet 1800. Compared to these predecessors, the Cobra Jet 2200 is not only more powerful but also significantly lighter. Ford engineers made the new bike approximately 408 kg lighter than the Super Cobra Jet 1800, which was already about 454 kg lighter than the 1400.
Even more challenging was the power output. The two electric motors combined produced 2,200 horsepower and a peak torque of approximately 1,817 Nm . Engineers had to find a way to transmit this power to the ground without damaging the transmission system. Even though this electric drive system was quite advanced, Ford ultimately opted for a 5-speed gearbox.
To address power management issues during start-up and gear shifting, Ford developed a reverse-acting centrifugal clutch, which was then used in conjunction with a clutchless transmission.
According to reports, this system allows race cars to start in a direct-drive mode and control power release through clutch slippage during gear shifts, reducing tire slippage and making the vehicle easier to control throughout the entire process.
Nick Kuhajda, Engineering Manager for Ford’s Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project, said: “The official results of this race are important, and we are proud of the team’s achievements. But what excites me equally is what will happen next. Every lap of the Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 brings us information and deepens our understanding. Every milestone creates a new goal. This is how truly serious racing projects evolve, and this is how meaningful technological advancements happen, ultimately allowing us to build better products for our customers.”
