Ford Cobra Jet 2200 Sprints to Electric Drag Racing History in 6.87 Seconds

Crowds gathered the stands at zMAX Dragway in North Carolina for the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, eager for the Ford Cobra Jet 2200 to go down the track. This electric beast ran the quarter-mile in 6.87 seconds, far faster than its predecessor, the Cobra Jet 1800, which took 7.62 seconds. It’s not just the time that matters; the Cobra Jet 2200 reached an astonishing 222 miles per hour, smashing any electric vehicle’s previous record.a

Ford Racing was keen to push the limits even farther with this new machine, and it shows: the Cobra Jet 2200 picks up where the previous one left off, cutting more than 3/4 of a second off the old record while gaining significant speed in the process. Every component of this vehicle has been fine-tuned and refined to enhance the performance of its electric powertrain.

The power comes from two electric motors that produce an incredible 2,200 horsepower directly to the wheels. They were able to cut the number of motors in half compared to the previous generation, as well as the weight, a seemingly small detail that resulted in an impressive 98% efficiency rating. The entire system is powered by a 900-volt battery pack comprised of four separate packs: one large under the driver, one smaller up front, and two in the back for optimal balance.

As a result, the car now weighs 3,325 pounds, which is 1,100 pounds lighter than the previous model. Not only has the weight of the motors been reduced, but the cleaner drivetrain and specifically designed Pro Modified chassis with double frame rails have paid off, keeping everything rigid under maximum power while also making it easier to control.

With less weight to move around, it has a big power-to-weight advantage, which is where brilliant technology comes into play. They’ve fitted a complex reverse-acting centrifugal clutch, which engages the moment the car reaches 0 rpm and sends all of the energy to the back tires in a single continuous movement. To keep the power flowing throughout the run, a five-speed Liberty Equalizer transmission takes over, precisely positioning the motors for maximum performance.

Recharging for the next run takes about 20 minutes, which is about all the time they have before the NHRA’s 45-minute turnaround rule kicks in, and just in case something goes wrong, they’ve installed a pyrotechnic circuit breaker to instantly cut the power if necessary, a critical safety precaution that adds almost no weight to the vehicle.

The Cobra Jet 2200 remains a pure racing prototype, but as you might expect, much of the technology they’ve developed will have a broader application, as they’ve drawn on lessons from drag racing, prototype racing, and even production vehicle programs to create a system that’s lighter, more efficient, and more powerful than ever before.

The end result is a vehicle that can consistently launch from the start line, even on the hottest track conditions, a critical mix of characteristics that has transformed a fast prototype into a real record breaker. The figures don’t deceive; the Cobra Jet 2200 currently outperforms every other electric drag car on the market, including street-legal supercars like the Rimac Nevera R, which can go a quarter mile in 7.9 seconds.