Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks? AC Cars, established in 1901, has announced a new electric model, the Ace RS.
This new AC will use a Mk IV chassis and will be handbuilt, like they were in the old days. As such, each car can be tailored to the owner’s specification.
The electric bits come from UK-based, Falcon Electric, the same firm that AC worked with on its first battery-powered model, the Cobra Series 4 electric. AC says the drivetrain has been ‘specifically developed’ and is ‘cutting-edge’ suggesting it is better than ‘messy conversions using off the shelf parts’, clearly hitting out at other firms doing similar things to kitset Cobras.
Some stats then. AC is saying the Ace RS will hit 100km/h in 5.5 seconds thanks to 230kW of power and a peak torque figure of 500Nm. It has a 38kWh battery while the 1050kg roadster is said to have a range of 320km.
AC chief, Alan Lubinsky, said: “Our move to electric power has proved to be more important for the brand than anything else we’ve attempted before. The combination of our pedigree with a new, fully electric drivetrain means that we’re ready to offer brand new cars that are undeniably historic in character yet thoroughly modern in their powertrain and performance.
“The interest around the world in our new electric cars has been tremendous and has proved that developing a bespoke EV powertrain is the right approach in ensuring the future success of AC Cars.”
The original AC Ace was launched in 1954 and was produced for eight years, the last such model wearing the RS nameplate, which has been recycled here.
AC is hoping to find 37 owners for the ‘Founders Edition’ of the Ace RS, which start at £129,500 ($NZ251,000). Deliveries start later this year.
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