- Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer to launch new EV sports car
- To be unveiled at SEMA 2024, 5th Nov at 1:30PST. TREMEC booth (#21455)
- New coachwork design inspired by one of AC’s most iconic cars
- Integrated EV Platform engineered and manufactured by market leader TREMEC Electric GT.
- Unique Anglo-American collaboration the first step in new partnership
- Deliveries commencing spring 2025, for a limited number of cars
Advance registration on AC Cars website – ac.cars
AC Cars, Britain’s oldest active vehicle manufacturer, will unveil its brand-new sports car, the AC Ace Classic electric at the SEMA 2024 show with electrified performance technologies partner TREMEC Electric GT.
A new version of the recently announced AC Ace Classic and AC Ace Bristol Classic, the car was conceived at AC Cars’ advanced facility on the UK’s south coast, before completion in the US, to deliver a timeless style of motoring energised by the latest electric powertrain technology.
TREMEC’s unmatched heritage in Performance Technologies, which includes its Advanced Electrification Capabilities, made it the obvious partner for this new roadster from the British company that can trace its roots back to 1901.
Evocative of the origin story of the famous car that that the original AC Ace evolved into, the AC Cobra, the chassis, coachwork and interior of each vehicle will be hand crafted before receiving their electrified performance powertrain.
TREMEC Electric GT’s turnkey eGT413 Modular EV platform is fully integrated into the AC ACE and is designed to elicit a powerful driving experience in this most iconic of sports cars. With 300 eHorse Power and a sub 1,134 kg (2,500 lb) curb weight, the AC Ace delivers excellent performance. DC Fast Charging combined with a 180+ miles of range per charge delivery an extremely functional and reliable roadster.*
Traditional skills pair with advanced carbon-fibre composite for the bodywork, with the electrified powertrain providing staggering performance, and all vehicles will arrive with a hand-finished interior.
Speaking ahead of unveiling David Conza, CEO of AC Cars, said: “We are extremely excited to have TREMEC as our electrified performance technologies partner for the new AC Ace Classic electric. The calibre of its work, and the depth of knowledge has been instrumental in developing a car both companies are incredibly proud of.”
Antonio Herrera, Managing Director of TREMEC added: “To be working with such as historically significant marque as AC Cars, and to be delivering Electrifying Performance to such an iconic design, really demonstrates our approach to revolutionising automotive powertrains.”
Reservations and orders for the new AC Ace electric are now open, with prices for the unique sports car to start at $275,000 before local sales and state taxed. Deliveries will start in 2025 for a limited number of cars. More details and advance registration will be available at (link here).
The Return of the AC Ace
The AC Ace Classic electric and AC Ace Bristol Classic electric are a new chapter for one of the all-time great British sports cars. Capturing the halcyon days of roadsters, it uses cutting edge construction techniques to deliver benchmark ride and handling. An original type chassis, carbon-fibre bodywork and a modern powertrain blend seamlessly with the iconic styling to deliver an unmatched driving experience.
Throughout the company’s 123-year history, no other model from AC Cars’ past has the same significance as the AC Ace. With an innovative chassis for its time, and a lightweight aluminum body it gained the respect of enthusiasts and racers alike for its everyday drivability and competition pace. This is the car that would eventually transform into AC Cobra of legend.
The AC Ace was no stranger to racing success in the US, and proved highly effective at the SCCA National Championships. Very popular amongst private owners, it dominated the E Production class – winning three years running at the Sebring 12-Hour race. The AC Ace was clearly highly respected, and influential magazine Sports Car Illustrated declared the car: “…as close to a racing sports car you can get and still have a ‘streetable’ machine.”
The new electrified AC Ace will be available in two distinct personalities of car – reflecting the evolution of the original AC Ace over its 10-year production run 1953-1963.
For fans of the later cars the AC Ace Classic electric uses the open grille design of the AC Ace before its transformation into the famed AC Cobra, while the AC Ace Bristol Classic electric employs the earlier ‘smiling face’ that graced the model for its launch in 1953. Both models feature graceful rolling flanks and wheel arches, in contrast to the flat-sided original design.
As befitting the return an archetypal name, the AC team have employed traditional techniques to create and refine the car’s graceful lines. However, this will still allow for a precision carbon-fibre bodywork to be crafted at the company’s facility on the UK’s south coast. Immensely strong, yet light, the work employs the same techniques as AC Cars’ flagship model, the AC Cobra GT Roadster.
Cars for US customers will be shipped to TREMEC’s North American Manufacturing Facilities where the electric powertrain will be fitted, and the cars readied for delivery. The new AC Ace electrification project is the beginning of an Electrified Performance partnership between TREMEC and AC Cars.
Fully unveiled at SEMA 2024 on the TREMEC stand (#21455) the new AC Ace Classic electric and AC Ace Bristol Classic electric will be delivered as a brand new, road registered car. Priced at $275,000 before tax and any personalisation or bespoke options, it’s available as a left-and-right-hand drive and intended for US as well as UK clients. Each car will bear an official chassis number, denoting it as a true AC and a descendent of the historic AC Ace.
More details and advance registration will be available at (link TBC here).
About AC Cars
The Weller Brothers established what is now Britain’s oldest vehicle manufacturer in 1901, producing cars and motorbikes from their workshop in West Norwood, London. The nascent company produced its first vehicle in 1903, but the Autocarrier was introduced a year later (from which the name AC was later derived). This was the first three-wheel commercial delivery vehicle and proved an instant success.
However, the AC Ace cemented the company’s status following its launch in 1953. With an aluminium body designed and built by Eric George Gray, it gained the respect of racing enthusiasts for its everyday practicality and pace. This was the car which would evolve to incorporate the Ford V8 and become the AC Cobra of legend.
Over the years the AC Cobra has endured, with its unmistakable shape and unique design. With production limited and every car built to an exacting standard, it remains reserved for exclusive clientele.
With its own facilities in the UK and Germany, AC Cars is working with leading industry suppliers for design and development, and construction, and the AC Cobra GT range heralds a new era in the production of the company’s vehicles. In addition to its Donington HQ and facility on the south coast, AC Cars will continue to expand its development and production capabilities in the UK.
About TREMEC and TREMEC Electric GT
TREMEC® is a leading manufacturer of transmissions and drivetrain solutions for the global mobility industry.From supercars and high-performance sports cars to severe-duty agricultural, vocational and commercial vehicles, TREMEC is a well-respected brand for world-class transmissions and components. TREMEC solutions include iconic manual transmissions, dual-clutch transmissions, electric drivetrain solutions, clutches, friction materials, mechatronic systems, transmission control units and control software. TREMEC’s products solve key challenges faced by the mobility industry, including mandates for increased fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, lower weight and compact size. Its technology addresses the industry’s stringent requirements for reliability, cost and quality – while providing fun-to-drive characteristics.
TREMEC Electric GT is the leading provider of low volume manufacturing and aftermarket turn-key electrification and electrified powertrain platforms for automotive and general mobility applications. TREMEC Electric GT excels at providing cost effective modular platforms through fully engineered, designed, integrated and manufactured solutions.
TREMEC is accelerating the electric vehicle market by offering innovative 400V and 800V high performance electric drive systems. TREMEC’s heritage of high-performance torque transfer core competencies will ensure leading edge technology solutions supporting a strong commitment to remain at the forefront of automotive technology. TREMEC’s 800V electric drive unit (EDU) is a true titan of power, delivering a jaw-dropping 800 horsepower in a compact 243-pound package. This high-voltage system is not just about raw power. It’s a finely tuned symphony of advanced technologies with integrated high voltage controllers and thermal management solutions that provide high performance capabilities in a non derated capability for maintained peak performance. While the 800V system steals the spotlight, TREMEC hasn’t forgotten about the current 400V standard. By offering solutions for both voltage levels, TREMEC ensures its technology can be integrated into a wide range of EV platforms, from cutting-edge performance cars to more mainstream electric applications suiting all markets including marine, agricultural, military, off road and recreational product offerings.
Founded in 1964, TREMEC serves its global client base with over 2,400 employees and operations in North America and Europe. TREMEC is a wholly owned business unit of Grupo KUO, S.A.B. de C.V., a division of Grupo DESC, a diversified manufacturer of automotive, chemical and food products. Grupo KUO markets its products to over 70 countries and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.
For more information on AC Cars and its vehicles visit ac.cars
Media information
The AC Ace Classic electric will be publicly unveiled on the TREMEC stand (#21455) on Tuesday November 5th at the SEMA 2024 show in Los Vegas, at 1:30PST.
To book interviews with the AC Cars and TREMEC team present, please us the contact details below.
A suite of media information, images and video content will be available immediately following the reveal.
Acedes Holdings, LLC is the owner of the AC, Ace and AC Bristol trademarks.
*AC Cars (England) Ltd is constantly seeking to improve the specifications of its products and reserve the right to change any specification without notice.
Media contact details:
AC Cars (England) Ltd.: Matt Sanger |press@accars.eu| +44 7753 687073
TREMEC: Alec Allen | alec.allen@tremec.com | +1 (734) 502-3299