Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Sets New All-Electric 1/4-Mile Record

By John Coyle - July 6, 2021

The Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 is breaking records — and it isn’t even dialed all the way in yet.

It was a big deal when Ford decided to put the Mustang name on an electric car. But right now? The Mach-E is outselling the traditional gas-powered Mustang. And while that might be fluke of the pandemic-impacted 2021 model year, and the Blue Oval putting all its chips toward the green machine, it’s probably not. The crossover Mustang will likely outsell its elder sibling until the sun consumes the earth. Or until we don’t have Mustangs. Whichever comes first.

Fortunately, as the folks in Dearborn have shown us, electric cars don’t have to mean anemic performance. Case in point? The all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 — this silent weapon just smashed the NHRA quarter mile time for its class. With legendary drag racer Bob Tasca III at the helm, the potent Pony blasted down the strip in just 8.128 seconds, and was traveling a brisk 171.97 mph when it hit the trap. The previous record was 8.27 seconds.

To refresh your memory, the Cobra Jet 1400 is pumping 1500 horsepower to the rear meats, and Ford Performance is still dialing everything in. So as impressive as this record is? Don’t expect it to stand for two long. I’m giving it three months before we see Tasca III — or some other hot shoe — shave a few more tenths off the top of that time. How long it will be before we see electric machines that’ll hang with the fire-breathing nitro cars which dominate drag racing’s upper echelons remains to be seen. But rest assured, that day is on the calendar.

For a sneak peak at the future, check out the video of the record-breaking run below, and make sure to pay attention to the commentary from the announcer. Apparently, the Mustang kept the front end aloft for an inordinate amount of time, which puts into stark relief exactly the kind of stones you have to have to line up specialty hardware like this in front of the Christmas tree. Of course, there’s no sound, really, which is half the fun of being at the drags…

Photos: YouTube