All-Electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Sets New Quarter Mile NHRA Record

Bob Tasca III needed only 8.128 seconds to cover the quarter mile and set a new world record in the Cobra Jet 1400.

Much to the chagrin of some Ford enthusiasts, the blue oval has gone all-in on electric power. The world is eagerly awaiting the Mustang Mach-E GT to hit the streets. It promises to be one quick Mustang. However, it is not the quickest. To help show the world what electric power is capable of, the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 was unleashed last year. Despite the 1400 nomenclature, it actually produces north of 1,500 horsepower. Last September at the NHRA U.S. Nationals it ran the quarter mile in 8.27 seconds at 168 miles per hour. That put the world on notice, but it was not the end of the story.

Recently the Cobra Jet 1400 ran again at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. At the event, NHRA funny car driver Bob Tasca III shattered the previous mark. The veteran racer posted an incredible quarter mile run of 8.128 seconds at 171.97 mph. That is a new world record for full bodied electric cars. There is no denying the amazing performance that this machine is capable of. A run in the 7s seems entirely possible.

The Cobra Jet set the record without burning a drop of fuel and was quiet enough to not disturb anyone at your local library. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing depends on your perspective. For some folks, going to the drag strip and not smelling the fuel or even needing ear protection is an abomination. No matter how fast the car goes down the track. For others, it is all about the speed, and flying through the quarter without making a sound doesn’t detract from the experience at all. It is the folks in this latter group that will probably be most happy in the future. Like it or not electric vehicles seem to be becoming more and more prevalent, even in racing. In fact, earlier this year the NHRA announced the creation of an all-new electric vehicle racing class beginning in 2022.

So how did Ford build an electric car that puts out as much power as two GT500s? Well, the folks at Ford Performance collaborated with Cascadia Motion to take care of the power in the Cobra Jet 1400. It uses four PN-250-DZR inverters coupled to a pair of DS-250-115s, giving four motors total and spinning at up to 10,000 rpm. To manage all of this power AEM-EV and Ford Performance jointly developed an advanced data and control system that features a control algorithm unique to the Cobra Jet 1400. It is a potent package for sure, but the amazing thing is it is just now scratching the surface. This car and the technology are still very new. What kind of quarter mile times can we expect in five or ten years?

Are you excited to see what the Cobra Jet 1400 can do with more development time? Do you think it can break into the 7s? Or is it a disgrace to the sport of drag racing because it uses electric power? Let us know your thoughts in The Mustang Source forums.

Images: Ford Performance

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the 1970s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.