According to Cobra Golf, their 2014 BiO CELL driver features meaningful improvements to distance and forgiveness, along with new customization opportunities.
Bio Cell Driver
The all-titanium BiO CELL driver has taken adjustability, customization and pure distance to the next level. The BiO CELL Driver is equipped with MyFly8 and SmartPad technology that features 8 adjustable loft settings, allowing you to tune the driver for maximum distance to match your swing.
It also features New Crown CELL weighting and Forged E9 BiO CELL face technologies that reduce the weight in the crown and face to deliver a lower CG, higher MOI and faster ball speeds. The result? A much larger sweet zone™ delivering longer and straighter drives, even on off-center hits.
And of course, we have taken customization to the next level with five color options: Blue Aster, Barbados Red, Vibrant orange, Silver and new to the line up – Black.
Specifications
The BiO CELL driver has one single head available that can accommodate a range of lofts from 9° to 12° (11° to 14° for women), which in addition to three “draw” settings gives the consumer eight different configurations to choose from.
Loft |
Length |
Flex |
RH/LH |
9.0° / 9.5° / 9.5° Draw / 10.5° / 10.5° Draw / 11.5° / 11.5° Draw / 12.0° |
45.75” |
X,S,R,L |
RH/LH |
- The stock shaft, a ProjectX – PXv is available in four different flexes and ranges in weight from 54g to 64g.
- Lamkin REL 3GEN 360 grip.
- Five color options: Blue Aster, Barbados Red, Vibrant Orange, Silver, and Black (new for 2014).
- MSRP 299.00
Key Technology
Bio Cells
Bio Cells in the crown as well as the face allow for weight movement to other areas to increase overall performance. Movement of weight back and towards the heel has lowered CG and allowed for lower spin and higher launch while increasing ball-speeds, general forgiveness, and overall distances.
Rather than being just a cool name, BiO CELL actually denotes the primary technological improvement in this 2014 Cobra driver. The picture above, showing the underside of the BiO CELL’s crown, illustrates this new technology, which is essentially a way to reposition weight in the head for better performance. The empty space in the center of each cell is material that was removed and then moved lower and farther back in the club head.
E9 BioFace
Two Bio Cells added to e9 face increase the “Sweet Zone”, which provide significant improvement on speed loss on misses.
Cobra’s e9 face has been widely considered to be one of the most forgiving on the market, and the addition of BiO CELLs (seen in the picture above) is claimed to have provided improvement to that.
MyFly8 and SmartPad
Eight adjustable loft settings to maximize distance and manage trajectory.
A carryover from 2013’s AMP CELL line, MyFly8 features the same rotating hosel adjustment system that has become commonplace among modern drivers. To combat the issues of changing face angles, which can be unattractive to many people, SmartPad allows the user to maintain the appearance of a square face if the driver is soled at address.
Aesthetics
With a variety of color options, the BiO CELL will offer something for just about everyone, especially now that the more traditional black version is available. In Barbados Red, the driver is anything but subdued; though its fairly classic shape does impart a feeling of comfort at address. The club’s BiO CELL technology is indicated through a faint paintjob towards the rear of the crown that can best be described as ‘cool’. The medium-depth face is similar to past drivers under the AMP name; with a bit of an upward flare at the toe that in ways mimics the positioning of the e9 technology.
In hand, the BiO CELL is nicely weighted, with a swingweight that allows the user to feel the head both in the waggle and the swing. At 60g, the PXv shaft is typical of most modern stock driver shafts. Those that fear light weight should find comfort with it, though a fitting would be recommended to ensure optimal performance.
At impact, the BiO CELL imparts one of the more attractive sounds among 2014 drivers, one that reminded the tester of the Callaway Big Bertha in many ways. The feel/sound is quite a departure from the original, ultra-muted AMP driver from 2012, which was highly regarded, but personal preferences aside, it is neither better nor worse – just new and different.
Performance
The BiO CELL driver was tested both indoors on a Vector X launch monitor and outdoors. A number of different loft combinations were tested and the shaft used was the stock stiff flex PXv.
Launch monitor testing showed the BiO CELL has the potential to provide great all-around distance for a variety of players for a number of reasons. With ball speeds typical of other drivers, it appeared to offer middle-of-the-road launch angles and lower spin than anticipated for a ‘game improvement’ driver. With the MyFly8 technology, it was fairly easy to find a workable set of launch conditions, with the highest loft setting providing this tester the best combination of launch and spin. Due to lower spin rates, this is another driver that may perform best for many in a higher loft setting, so exploring all possible options is recommended.
Trajectory showed a fairly wide range of change depending on the hosel setting, but as advertised, face angle appeared to remain constant, even in the maximum range of adjustment. With a 12° setting, the BiO Cell provided a penetrating ball flight that was reasonably high compared to other drivers tested by the reviewer.
Even at 45.75”, it was remarkably easy to find the center of the face during testing, which was highly appreciated. On toe hits, a relative lessening of side spin was observed compared to some other 2014 drivers, and as a result, the tester’s dying hook miss was greatly reduced. While forgiveness was expected after experience with recent Cobra drivers, the level at which the BiO Cell performed was even better than anticipated. Those that are fans of the previous version may not find enough of a difference to justify an upgrade, but it is worth taking the time to find out in our opinion.
While shaft selection is deeply personal, the stock PXv performed well, both in feel and stability for an average swing speed in the 95mph range. As always though, THP strongly advises a proper fitting for any club purchase.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of a driver like the BiO CELL is that it allows the consumer numerous fitting options in one head. This eliminates some of the confusion surrounding which loft to purchase and instead focuses attention on fitting through adjustment and shaft options. With a variety of different looks available, almost every consumer should be able to find a suitable aesthetic option within the line, barring those that require a strictly traditional look. Unexpectedly, the BiO CELL proved to be a lower spinning option than anticipated, but within reason and certainly playable by a good portion of the market with the right loft setting thanks to exceptional forgiveness. More information on the BiO CELL driver can be found on Cobra’s website, www.cobragolf.com.
Great write up Hawk! It seems like Cobra has another winner on their hands. Cobra took the massive success of the AMP Cell and added some technology to improve upon it.
Sounds like a winner to me. I love my AMP Cell but the could be even better for me if I can reduce the spin a bit. Thanks Hawk!
Great write-up Ryan. Really want to get my hands on this.
Well done Hawk, Cobra has really made some huge improvements recently! This years lines seem to have taken yet another positive step. Looking forward to a great 2014!
Great work Ryan, I really like what Cobra has done with these as a sequel to the AMP Cell, such a great driver.
Excellent review Hawk.
Great review Ryan. Sounds like they have improved an already solid offering with the amp cell. I’ve hit this indoors and loved what I saw, can’t wait to get it outside.
Nice Job Ryan. I like the talk about this being lower spin. Last years for my swing, just spun too much and robbed me of performance.
This was an enjoyable read Ryan. I was lucky enough to spend time with this driver this weekend and I really do believe a ton of people will ultimately find and benefit from this driver.
The lower spin (than the amp cell) was evident and needed IMO. This is a fantastic looking driver, colors really pop so well. I agree with the toe performance as well, that dying hook was greatly reduced to more of a pull/draw that could still find the fairway.
Looking forward to reading others thoughts on this new offering as they try it.
Excellent review Hawk, the low spin characteristics of the regular Bio Cell are really surprising. Like you said in the review, I didn’t expect to see it be lower spinning for a GI driver.
Ryan, thank you for this one, a GREAT breakdown of the tech that has gone into this one, Cobra has made a big jump once again IMO and its great to see.
Good review Hawk! In my limited time with this driver on a monitor, I too found it to be surprisingly low spin. I’m in complete agreement that many golfers will need to loft up with this club to get maximum performance. Some slower swingers may even need a higher spinning shaft to get the most out of it.
This appears to be a great driver and one I could definitely put in the bag.
This is the surprise of the 2014 OEM lineup to me! I hit this club yesterday and it was by far one of the best feeling, most accurate and longest drivers from the 2014 lineup to me. I almost walked out of the store with it. I had guys in my ear screaming to take it now. Loved it. Great information Hawk! This is a hands down winner for Cobra Golf. They are doing something very right with these drivers.
I hit my first Cobra driver in Des Moines in 2012 and came away impressed. I have yet to hit another one since, but hope to change that once the snow decides to leave for good. I really do like the look of Cobra drivers, which honestly shocks me because I have never been a big fan of them, even back in the Greg Norman days.
Another great review Hawk. The Cobra Bio Cell is now on my list to try this Spring. Thanks !
Great review. Just bought an amp cell red and kinda wishing I had held out for the bio cell.
Nice review Hawk,
Nice review, I am now considering switching from the Nike Covert to the Bio Cell
Just hit this yesterday at a demo day. I wasn’t even interested in it, got talked into trying, then WOW. Great feel and distance, even on mishits. Very easy to find the center. Hit it with a matrix shaft. Immediately jumped to the top of my list. Going to compare against the Bertha now.
I bought this driver today (in Red) and after hitting 100 balls I was sold on it right away. I have never hit so many high ,long, straight shots in my life !!! I just love this driver and my wife also bought the ladies version. She was shocked at how far and straight she was able to hit this driver. We are sooo happy we tried them out and I had mine set at 12 degrees as my older driver was a 148 and I hit this better. I urge anyone to try it out aand you will want to own one, Great driver, Thanks Colbra fo making this game fun again.
that should be 14 degrees not 148 :o) DUH.
Charlie again, we bought these on sale today for $100.00 off. How Great was that?????
I have just purchased the Limited Edition Masters Green Bio Cell Driver, sure is pretty looking. Was wondering how I get hold of a stiff aldila tour shaft.
I just got the Blue Bio Cell Driver with the max loft of 11*. I hit every driver and 3 Wood twice during 2 visits to the PGA Super Store and the Bio Cell Driver and 3 Wood was the best for me. Straight and super forgiving. 103 to 110 is my swing speed. I got 240 to 247 in ball flight which was 10 to 15 farther than any other driver. Cobra did a great job!!! Next I’m adding the Bio Cell 3-4 Wood (set it as a 4 Wood) and loose my 3 and 5 Wood and add a 58* or 60* wedge. Thanks and Great Write up!!!
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