AC Goes DC with Electric Ace for SEMA
AC Cars will unveil an all-electric version of its classic Ace roadster at SEMA 2024.
Britain’s oldest active carmaker has partnered with Tremec for the powertrain of the $275,000 sports car, which will be part-built in the U.K. before being shipped to the U.S.A. for electrification.
The Ace’s curves, which first appeared from 1953-1963, have been recreated in carbon fiber to save weight, and buyers will be given the choice of two different looks. The Bristol Classic has the ‘smiling face’ grille of the 1953 car, while the Classic gets the later open grille design that the Ace wore before it was transformed into the mighty Cobra.
The interior retains its retro look with analog gauges repurposed to display EV-related information, a lovely wood-rimmed steering wheel and the buyer’s pick of interior trim colors.
The electric Ace might not make as much noise as a Mk1 Cobra, but thanks to Tremec Electric GT’s turnkey eGT413 Modular EV system it will leave its ancestor standing. While the first Cobra’s 4.7-liter/ 289 cubic inch Ford V-8 delivered 271 hp the Ace EV’s motor produces 300 horses. At around 2500 lbs the Ace is heavier, but the instantaneous 369 lbft of torque makes up for that, sending the car from 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 130 mph.
AC has confirmed that the car’s 72 kWh battery pack will be good for a driving range of over 200 miles and will be compatible with DC fast charging, making the the Ace road rip-ready.
“To be working with such a historically significant marque as AC Cars, and to be delivering electrifying performance to such an iconic design, really demonstrates our approach to revolutionizing automotive powertrains,” says Antonio Herrera, Managing Director of Tremec.
More traditional AC enthusiasts might also like to know that the Ace and Ace Bristol can be ordered with a 2.3-liter Ford EcoBoost motor offering almost identical performance, albeit with a bit more engagement courtesy of a stick-shift and rorty soundtrack.
Ehhhh…..
No sound, no side pipes to burn your leg, no smell and vibrations.
This is just not what sports cars are all about. Going fast is only one small part of it.
I don’t see the point in this. I realize it’s not a “Shelby” Cobra but the point of this car is it’s rawness. Other than wind in your hair and maybe bugs in your teeth, this doesn’t have it. Another over-priced conversion at $275k.
I could see someone doing a body swap on whatever stupid fast Tesla Plaid or whatever platform there is. That could be cool.
While the AC Ace is a beautiful little car, an electric version at 275 thousand dollars with a 200 mile range is really hard to understand. Why do companies produce such absurd cars? You think they believe there are that many wealthy people who will spend over a quarter of a million dollars for a 200 mile range little roadster? Maybe they do. Wonder where they did their market research for this product?