A new NHRA world record was set last weekend by Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III driving an all-electric Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400. It happened at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. The 1,500 hp Mustang EV hit 171.97 mph and blazed the quarter-mile in 8.128 seconds. 

What does the electric Mustang have for a powertrain?

Built by Ford Performance, Cascadia Motion handled the inverter and motors. Watson Engineering built the chassis and roll cage, and overall development. Four PN-250-DZR inverters are hooked to two DS-250-115s. These packages can run up to 800 volts and 700 amps. 

They can also spin up to 10,000 rpm. Output is 350kW of power per motor. And remember, there are four motors. It’s enough power that an advanced data and control system was built by Ford. The Mustang bangs out three times the horsepower of a traditional Cobra Jet, which needs to be harnessed.

Bob Tasca III is well known in NHRA circles having piloted a Mustang Fuel Funny Car for years. The first NHRA record he broke was in 2007 driving an alcohol Funny Car. His quarter-mile time was 5.451 seconds at 263 mph. 

The Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 EV made its debut almost a year ago

Ford and Tasca embarked on this journey almost a year ago when the Mustang debuted at the US Nationals at Indianapolis. “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. 

“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.”

Will the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 run the quarter in seven seconds?

Expectations are that with the power exhibited this week the Cobra Jet 1400 will scoot into the seven-second category soon. NHRA is working on a class for these electric racers but it’s not together yet. So exhibition passes are made against Funny Car champion and Fox announcer Tony Pedregon in a gas-powered Cobra Jet.

So a new era is dawning for NHRA competition classes starting with this Ford effort. We expect a few more manufacturers to having electric race cars of their own soon. This will eventually lead to a form of drag racing that will bear some semblance with what is on the road; electric vehicles.