AC has recently announced a partnership with Swedish firm T-Engineering to increase production of its latest models, the Cobra GT Roadster and Cobra GT Coupé. T-Engineering, founded in 2011 by former Saab engineers after the downfall of the Swedish car manufacturer, is located at the renowned Trollhättan facility and is currently owned by Dongfeng, a Chinese car company that acquired a 70% stake in the firm in 2012.
Aside from manufacturing Cobras in Sweden in addition to the UK production, T-Engineering will provide AC with access to Trollhättan’s research and development facilities and test track, aiding in the development of future models. This collaboration comes at a time when AC is expanding its range significantly, including the reintroduction of the junior Ace model with both petrol and electric powertrains.
Under the leadership of CEO David Conza, AC has undergone a revival in the past few years. The Ace and Cobra models may bear a resemblance to their predecessors from the 1950s and 1960s, but they are entirely new vehicles developed primarily in Germany.
The Cobra is equipped with a 5.0-liter Ford V8 engine that produces either 454bhp or 654bhp (the latter with supercharging), paired with a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the petrol-powered Ace features a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine sourced from the Ford Focus ST, generating over 300bhp. The electric version of the Ace is powered by a single rear motor and boasts a range of more than 200 miles on a single charge.
With these new developments and partnerships, AC is poised to make a significant impact in the sports car market, combining classic design elements with modern technology and performance. It’s an exciting time for the legendary British automaker as it continues to evolve and innovate in the industry.
