(from Cobra International Press Release)  Marking a historical achievement in the evolution of automobile manufacturing in Thailand and the advancement of lightweight composite material manufacturing, Cobra International Co., Ltd. and Kevin Gallahan, today announced the start of production of the Cobra Limited Edition, Arbitrage GT. A lightweight component sports car made almost entirely of carbon fiber.

• Cobra International Co., Ltd, is the world's largest manufacturer of quality windsurfboards
  and surfboards and also a manufacturer of composite components, from
  car and motorcycle parts to carbon fiber windmill blades, propellers, and sporting
  equipment. Cobra International Co., Ltd also produces a series of carbon fiber
  sailboats, powerboats and yachts.

• Kevin Gallahan is a Automobile Stylist from America and founder of the Arbitrage
  GT project.

Cobra joins forces with a Racing Legend.

Alan Mertens, lead Engineer of the Arbitrage GT project, has been contracted to ensure the car meets the demands of the sports car enthusiast. Alan Mertens, born in the UK, began his career in British Aerospace and began racing in Formula Ford in 1970. In 1976, Alan Merten’s left the Aerospace industry to join March Engineering, at the time, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of racing cars. Alan Mertens as Chief Engineer for March, led a highly successful Indy Car design and manufacturing team. In the 1990’s with his own Company, Galmer Engineering, Alan Mertens provided a fully
operational research and development facility for an American Indy Car team, Galles Kraco, which won the PPG Indy Car World Championship title. In 1992 Galmer and Alan Mertens, designed and built the G92. Among other races, the team won the prestigious USA Indianapolis 500 with Al Unser Jr. and Danny Sullivan as drivers. Alan Mertens was awarded the Society of Automobile Engineers “Schwitzer Award” in recognition of “ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION IN RACE CAR DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT” for his work on the Indy 500 winning Galmer G92. With March Engineering and Galmer Engineering, Alan Mertens has been responsible for 74 Indy Car wins, including 6 at the USA Indianapolis 500.

Commitment to Quality

Cobra International is committed to quality excellence for the Arbitrage GT. The car will be built with the customer in mind; from comfort, to ease of servicing, and safety. The carbon fiber monocoque chassis construction is world-renowned in racing for the extreme protection given to the persons inside the car. Carbon fiber is up to 10 times stronger than steel and the monocoque encapsulates the occupants. Whether you are a buyer of the complete Arbitrage GT, or the unassembled component kit-car version, Cobra is determined to make the experience of owning a Arbitrage GT an enjoyable one. Personalized customer service throughout the manufacturing process and a “build diary” for each of car produced, the 350 Limited Edition, Arbitrage GT’s are destined to be a historical collector Sports Car.

Purity, Technology, and Performance in One Package.

The Arbitrage GT will have the ultimate in racing car design, tested by the most sophisticated computer programs such as CFD, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and will have endless weeks of road and track testing before its release to the public. Not ignored will be the passenger comfort and convenience options such as multimedia and navigation systems, the latest in air-conditioning and heating technology, quality imported leather, carbon ceramic brakes, and the latest in digital instrumentation and engine management.

Cobra Teams Up With HPA Motorsports from Canada.

HPA Motorsports Inc. of Vancouver Canada, world-renowned experts in VW 6 cylinder tuning, will be building high output motors for the Arbitrage GT. As the leading authority on upgrading the 3.2L narrow angled VW/Audi drivetrain, HPA provides the basis for unlimited performance potential via optional naturally aspirated, single turbo, or dual turbo charged configurations. HPA is a Industry leader in performance and reliability, capturing the attention of media and manufacturers alike. With vehicles tested in Motor Trend Magazine, Car and Driver Magazine, and other distinguished publications, and the induction into the Sony GT4 video game franchise, the notoriety of HPA’s reputation adds yet another element of excitement to the project. Their recent collaboration with Volkswagen for the R-GT project cars that debuted at SEMA 2005, solidified their status as the premier authority on V6 performance drivetrains, and instills confidence of OEM quality. Best known for catapulting their 3500lb. VW R32 Golf from 0-60 mph in only 3.2 seconds, HPA’s involvement with this limited production vehicle will be sure to launch it into Super Car notoriety.

The Cobra Limited Edition Arbitrage GT, truly an “Arbitrage”.

Although the final price has not yet been released, Kevin Gallahan will only comment, “what the customer will receive for the money, compared to other manufacturers outside of Thailand, especially those using advance lightweight composite parts, will be without comparison.” He goes on to add, “in many ways, the advancement of technology and efficiencies in Thailand have surpassed those from the USA, Japan, EU, and the UK.” Most importantly for Cobra International, lightweight composite parts are the future of automobile manufacturing as the world fuel situation drives the demand for more Hybrid car production.